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How to Use Your iPad as a Second Monitor on Windows
Second monitors give you more screen real estate, but they're expensive. However, you can use your iPad as a high-quality second monitor for your Windows PC using third-party apps, as Windows lacks native support. Here are a few recommendations.
1. spacedesk
The spacedesk app is one of the best free programs that let you use any tablet, Android, or iOS as a secondary display for your Windows PC. The setup is rather simple; just install the spacedesk driver software on your Windows 11 or 10 PC and a companion app on your tablet from the Apple Store. It's not quite the same as installing (or uninstalling) wireless displays in Windows 11, but it's relatively easy.
The program is free to use for non-commercial personal uses but does require a paid commercial business license. Surprisingly, there's no difference between the non-commercial and commercial license tiers, meaning you get full functionality even if you're using the free version. Additionally, any license purchases are to be made through their mobile apps, so there's no pricing information on the website. You can expect the price to be $43.99, at least for the Android version.
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Talking about features, as long as your PC and tablet are on the same network, spacedesk can either mirror or extend your Windows desktop to your tablet wirelessly. Alternatively, you can connect both devices with an Ethernet cable, or USB tethering. You can customize your workflow with various display modes like extending your desktop, mirroring your primary display, or creating a video wall with a grid of screens.
However, the feature list extends far beyond just letting you use a tablet as a second monitor. Your second device can be a touchpad or a remote keyboard and mouse. There's also pressure-sensitive stylus support, and although it's not quite as good as a dedicated drawing tablet, it's more than enough for quick scribbles or taking notes. Last but not least, if you're working over a congested Wi-Fi network, you can also reduce the image quality for a less laggy experience. Plus, if you need help setting up, we've already covered how to use an Android tablet as a second screen in Windows 11, and the setup process for iPads is largely the same.
Benefits of using spacedesk include:
- Free to use and doesn't require an account.
- You have the freedom to choose between wired or wireless connection modes.
- Added functionality includes using your device as a remote keyboard, mouse, or both.
That said, it does have a few drawbacks:
- Connections can be spotty at times.
- Although forum support is generally good, it might not always provide a solution for specific problems.
- Using screens with large resolution can cause issues.
2. Deskreen
If you're looking for a quick solution to duplicate your PC's screen to your iPad, Deskreen can be an excellent option. It's a lightweight, browser-based app that works on Windows, Linux, and macOS and lets you share the whole screen or a specific window to a remote device. It's also free to use, but you can choose to donate whatever you want.
Deskreen is simple to use, and the website has a very helpful guide that takes you through the three-step connection process. It functions very similarly to Sidecar — Apple's recommended way of using iPads as a second screen with Macs, but works across operating systems.
You can connect as many devices as you want, duplicate or extend your screen, or even use it as a teleprompter. However, there's a catch — you need to use a virtual display adapter (also called a dummy display plug).
This adapter tricks your computer into thinking there's a display device connected, which Deskreen then uses to stream your screen over a WiFi network to the iPad. You can pick these up for as low as $3 on Amazon. That said, although cheap, these adapters can be tricky to find in some locations. So make sure you run a quick check online before trying the program out. There are software alternatives to using a dummy display plug, but they're either extremely unstable, complicated, or just won't work, so we recommend staying away.
Some pros to using Deskcreen include:
- End-to-end encryption.
- Fully browser-based.
- Doubles up as a teleprompter program.
You might also run into some problems like:
- Requires a dummy display plug which may be hard to find sometimes.
- Restricted to working over the same LAN.
- Might require you to tweak the internal firewall or network settings.
3. Splashtop
While originally designed as a remote access program, you can use Splashtop to turn your iPad into a secondary display for your Windows PC with a wired or wireless link. It's very similar to spacedesk in terms of basic functioning and even performs better than the latter, but you will have to purchase a subscription with the cheapest Business Access Solo plan starting at $5 per month (billed annually at $60). There's no free tier either, only a seven-day trial, so a subscription is mandatory beyond the trial period.
The setup is similar to spacedesk as well. You install an XDisplay Agent on your Windows or Mac computer and download the corresponding XDisplay app on your iPad, iPhone, or Android device. Once done, plug in a USB cable to connect the two devices, and you're good to go. That said, internet or LAN access is also available.
The basic Business Access Solo plan lets you use two computers per license with file transfer and remote print capabilities. The remote desktop software claims to deliver output in HD quality, 4K streaming at 60 frames per second, and real-time remote sound. You can sync clipboards across devices, drag and drop files (although they may or may not work with your iPad), record screens, and even send messages. Overall, unless you need the remote connectivity features Splashtop offers, it can sometimes be somewhat overkill.
Some benefits of using Splashtop include:
- Stable connectivity and performance.
- Tons of remote connectivity features.
- Great customer service.
The program does come with some drawbacks though:
- Setup can be complicated sometimes.
- File transfers can be slow with occasional failures.
- Some features such as whiteboard only work on mobile devices.
4. Luna Display
Luna Display is a hardware solution that requires minimal setup and no software installation to use your iPad as a secondary display. All you need to do is buy the Luna hardware unit (available in USB-C or HDMI) as a one-time purchase and you're good to go.
The hardware unit is a simple dongle that you plug into your PC. Once done, launch the free Luna apps provided alongside the hardware unit on your primary and secondary displays and Luna will automatically connect your devices over your existing Wi-Fi network (or USB cable if Wi-Fi isn't available).
Do keep in mind though that Luna Display is only intended to be used as a "side reference screen with content that doesn't frequently change." It's also not recommended to use Luna Display for gaming, video playback, or any other high-motion content.
It's a tall order at $89.99, but it's a one-time purchase. If you frequently use your iPad as a second screen, it's one of the best and most stable solutions out there. It also similarly works with Macs to iPads, so your options aren't as limited.
Some benefits of using Luna Display include:
- No software setup is required.
- Stable connectivity.
However, there are a few things you need to watch out for:
- Can be expensive for the functionality.
- Only works over local Wi-Fi (or USB connection), meaning network bandwidth can affect display quality.
5. Duet Display
Duet Display is a program by ex-Apple engineers that lets you use your iPad, Mac, PC, and Android device as a secondary screen. It uses a proprietary protocol and technology to allow for what it claims to be a zero-lag connection. Since it's software only, it doesn't use any hardware dongles or adaptors either.
You get a free one-week trial, after which you can choose from a flurry of subscription options starting with $4 per month (billed annually). If you'd rather make a one-time purchase, the cheapest option starts at $199 and goes as high as $249. You'll also not be able to use the program without a subscription and the free trial only begins after you provide payment details for your plan of choice.
You can extend or mirror your main PC's display to your iPad, iPhone, Android phone, or even other PCs over a wired or wireless connection. Duet Display's developers are so confident in its "zero lag" connectivity, that they claim you can use your iPad as a drawing tablet when being used as a secondary display for your PC.
The feature list is also quite comprehensive, there's remote access as well and if you need it, you can use your iPad (or any other supported device) as the primary display for your server, in this case, your main PC. You also get touch gestures, shortcuts, color correction, palm rejection, customizable shortcuts, and a touch bar, all without killing your iPad's battery in a minute. It also claims to be secure with 256-bit end-to-end encryption, which can come in handy, especially considering that Duet Display also offers a remote connection capability allowing users to essentially share their screens from anywhere in the world.
Duet Display can be rather fulfilling to use because of the following pros:
- Zero lag connectivity.
- Remote connectivity available.
- End-to-end encryption.
That said, there are a few cons as well:
- No free-use tiers.
- All features might not be available in lower price tiers.
With a few clicks and a quick setup, your iPad can turn into a second monitor for your Windows PC in no time. If you want a simple, no-nonsense program to quickly pair up your iPad and Windows PC over a local network or USB cable, we'd recommend spacedesk. However, if remote access and stable (and fast) connectivity are important to you, you can try out Duet Display.
