iPad Pro Stage Manager - 24”Mac as External Display?

[PXS]

Hi,

I have connected an iPad Pro (M2) to a 24” Mac to use it as an external display for Stage Manager. While the Mac recognises the iPad and can use it as an external desktop, the iPad is not giving me the option to do this in reverse. Anybody having this problem and, more importantly, know of a solution? Many thanks, P

 

[Mlrollin91]

You cannot use an iMac as an external display stock. Previously you could use Target Display mode, but that was only on 2009-2014 iMacs. You can buy some hardware/software as a workaround.

Use iMac as monitor: 5 Solutions - 9to5Mac

This in-depth guide covers how to use iMac as monitor with Apple's target display mode, with third-party software, and more.

9to5mac.com

 

[xxFoxtail]

Yes, you’ll need a capture card, though. I’m testing it with a HD60S+ and the Game Capture HD application from Elgato. The iPad even recognizes the capture card as it’s display.

 

[PXS]

You cannot use an iMac as an external display stock. Previously you could use Target Display mode, but that was only on 2009-2014 iMacs. You can buy some hardware/software as a workaround.

Use iMac as monitor: 5 Solutions - 9to5Mac

This in-depth guide covers how to use iMac as monitor with Apple's target display mode, with third-party software, and more.

9to5mac.com

Many thanks Mlrollin91.

Not the answer I was hoping for but really appreciate your help. Seems strange that Apple would limit their own devices in this manner when they’ve been working on various iterations of screen mirroring, Sidecar and now Stage Manager for years.

Not sure if it’s a baked in hardware issue or can be fixed via a PadOS or MacOS update. Surely a lot of iPad and Mac owners out there.

Thanks again,

P

 

[PXS]

Yes, you’ll need a capture card, though. I’m testing it with a HD60S+ and the Game Capture HD application from Elgato. The iPad even recognizes the capture card as it’s display. View attachment 2150747
View attachment 2150744

Many thanks, PXS

 

[xxFoxtail]

Many thanks, PXS

Of course!

I should add that latency is very minimal, you might notice it, but it’s not nearly bad enough to affect your usage. I was controlling it just fine at it’s highest settings - 1080p/60fps on my base model M1 Mac mini.

Because it looks a little fuzzy on a 4K screen (in your case, I think the iMac is a 4.5K display), you’re probably just better off using a different display.

I mainly only use this setup so I can use my Nintendo Switch through my Mac.

 

[Ludatyk]

Many thanks Mlrollin91.

Not the answer I was hoping for but really appreciate your help. Seems strange that Apple would limit their own devices in this manner when they’ve been working on various iterations of screen mirroring, Sidecar and now Stage Manager for years.

Not sure if it’s a baked in hardware issue or can be fixed via a PadOS or MacOS update. Surely a lot of iPad and Mac owners out there.

Thanks again,

P

I'm confused, why would it be a hardware issue?

You have a 24" iMac that has macOS... why would you want to cast your iPad screen to it? You claim its strange that Apple would not allow it... I'd say it's quite strange a feature would actually exist. I mean, I get it for tutorial purposes... there are couple apps that can screen cast the iPad screen for that.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I'm confused, why would it be a hardware issue?

You have a 24" iMac that has macOS... why would you want to cast your iPad screen to it? You claim its strange that Apple would not allow it... I'd say it's quite strange a feature would actually exist. I mean, I get it for tutorial purposes... there are couple apps that can screen cast the iPad screen for that.

Screencasting is simple, via AirPlay. What the OP wants to do is have the iPad running iPad stuff on its own display, and the have the iMac act as an external, secondary display. Though I agree with you, I have no idea why this would be necessary ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Ludatyk]

Screencasting is simple, via AirPlay. What the OP wants to do is have the iPad running iPad stuff on its own display, and the have the iMac act as an external, secondary display. Though I agree with you, I have no idea why this would be necessary ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Completely understand what the OP is asking. Perhaps, using the word "cast" made it seem I was off base.. I was just curious as to why the need for such a thing.

The OP asked if it was possible... however, didn't give any detail as to what was the reason behind it. As much as I prefer iPadOS over macOS... I still acknowledge that macOS has much more functionality over iPadOS and I personally don't see a reason to use 24" iMac as an external display for the iPad.

But hey, it's their hardware and sometimes people try to experiment to see what is possible (I know I do). However, in this case... I'm confused lol.

 

[Digitalguy]

Why the need for such a thing? Seems obvious to me, to be able to use your iMac instead of, say, buying a high res monitor, such as the Studio Display.... How well it works it's a different story.
There are solutions to use an iMac as a monitor for another Mac, but for an iPad it makes even more sense for those who want to use Stage Manager, since it's a different OS. Except that Stage Manager is still very recent so there are no third party solutions yet, let alone native....

 

[RLRabb]

I’ve just recently started using my 12.9” iPP with my 27” iMac using Universal Control to move easily between the two screens with my iMac’s Magic Keyboard and Trackpad. It works great, with the iPP set up centered in front right behind the keyboard. In this setup, I primarily use the iPP as a word processor, with the iMac behind and slightly above it displaying everything else I need while I work. One big advantage to this setup over a setup in which you extend the iPP to an external display is that I still have access to the desktop functionality, so I can drag and drop files to the iMac’s Desktop, even from the iPP.

 

[Isengardtom]

I’ve just recently started using my 12.9” iPP with my 27” iMac using Universal Control to move easily between the two screens with my iMac’s Magic Keyboard and Trackpad. It works great, with the iPP set up centered in front right behind the keyboard. In this setup, I primarily use the iPP as a word processor, with the iMac behind and slightly above it displaying everything else I need while I work. One big advantage to this setup over a setup in which you extend the iPP to an external display is that I still have access to the desktop functionality, so I can drag and drop files to the iMac’s Desktop, even from the iPP.

I use this setup a lot at home as well.

use my M1 iMac for work via Parallels (Microsoft Dynamics, Office 365 apps) while using the iPad as a second screen with teams and outlook in Split View) great to use the iMac Trackpad and keyboard with the iPad


I would love for Target display to come back though so I can also use the iMac as as extended display to the iPad. Use case would be pretty niche I admit but it would still be nice.

 

[Ludatyk]

Why the need for such a thing? Seems obvious to me, to be able to use your iMac instead of, say, buying a high res monitor, such as the Studio Display.... How well it works it's a different story.

But I don't buy that though... iPadOS and macOS practically share the same apps, there's even handoff feature to help continuity among iPadOS and macOS apps.

Then there's Universal Control where you can share mouse/keyboard among the iPad and Mac, I've been doing that quite a bit lately. I completely understand the OP wanting to use iPad version of Stage Manager on the iMac, but there's Stage Manager feature on macOS... which I might add, works better (imo).

 

[PXS]

But I don't buy that though... iPadOS and macOS practically share the same apps, there's even handoff feature to help continuity among iPadOS and macOS apps.

Then there's Universal Control where you can share mouse/keyboard among the iPad and Mac, I've been doing that quite a bit lately. I completely understand the OP wanting to use iPad version of Stage Manager on the iMac, but there's Stage Manager feature on macOS... which I might add, works better (imo).

All,

Many thanks for the replies and thoughts. My iPad is running some enterprise Apps which are restricted for security purposes to PadOS and iOS. The idea was that when I came back from the office I’d be able to take advantage of the larger screen on the 24” using Stage Manager. I’ve used this set up on HP Monitors and it was really useful. I was between a Studio Display and 24” Mac as an upgrade on the HP. 24” seemed like the better option as additional functionality (beyond just a monitor). Some articles from Verge and others seemed to indicate 24” would work but unfortunately no joy - unless it can be fixed in a Ventura / PadOS update.