Unable to connect my iPad Pro as a second display

Question

Level 1

4 points

Unable to connect my iPad Pro as a second display

Hi community,

I'm getting this error when I try connecting to my iPad as a second display.

It was working back in last year, and I wasn't paying too much attention to it when this error popped for the first time. But the problem persists and it's really a big issue for me if I don't have a second display and I work in travel a lot.

Btw I tried switching on and off the 2FA thing, which doesn't work.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Unable to connect to iPad Pro

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jul 15, 2025 10:51 PM

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Answer 1

markwmsn

Level 6

16,421 points

Jul 16, 2025 2:54 PM in response to AaronRaito

I guess I took "I tried switching [TFA] on and off" too literally.

If you haven't tried it already, I suggest shutting down both the iPad and the Mac completely and restarting them.

If that doesn't help, let us know what model iPad Pro you have and what version of iPadOS it runs.

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Answer 2

Jul 16, 2025 5:24 PM in response to AaronRaito

For reference:

Continuity features and requirements for Apple devices - Apple Support

Use an iPad as a second display for a Mac - Apple Support

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Additional requirements

Both devices must be signed in with the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication.
To use Sidecar wirelessly, both devices must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff turned on. Your iPad must not be sharing its cellular connection and your Mac must not be sharing its internet connection.
To use Sidecar over USB, your iPad must be set to trust your Mac.

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Answer 3

AaronRaito Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 16, 2025 6:43 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Thank you for the information.

I’ve tried all official steps of resolving this issue, but none worked, so far.

Btw, not sure if this lead to the issue but I can’t see the Sidecar in the Firewall setting.

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Answer 4

markwmsn

Level 6

16,421 points

Jul 15, 2025 11:16 PM in response to AaronRaito

Just switching on TFA doesn't work for you?

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Answer 5

AaronRaito Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 16, 2025 12:01 AM in response to markwmsn

No. The thing is, I never switched TFA off. In fact, I used TFA to re-login when I first ran into this issue.

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Answer 6

AaronRaito Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 16, 2025 3:13 PM in response to markwmsn

I’ve tried before with both devices switching off and back on.

Anyway, my iPad is the 5th Gen with 18.5 os.

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Answer 7

markwmsn

Level 6

16,421 points

Jul 16, 2025 3:56 PM in response to AaronRaito

Is that a 5th gen iPad Pro, 5th gen iPad Air, or 5th gen iPad mini? (The 5th gen plain iPad can't run iPadOS 18.5.) They all come from different years and have different limitations.

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Answer 8

AaronRaito Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 16, 2025 5:33 PM in response to markwmsn

It’s a 5th gen iPad pro with ipad os 18.5.

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