With Stage Manager in iPadOS 16, some iPad models now support the use of external displays as extended displays. This functionality allows iPad users to go beyond mirroring their iPad screen to an external display. This guide lists the system and equipment requirements for using an extended display with iPad and teaches you how to use it.
advice: Already own a Mac and/or an external monitor? Discovering how to use Universal Control with iPad and Mac will allow you to take your productivity even further.
Requirements for using an extended display with an iPad
Before you can enjoy the benefits of using an extended display with your iPad, you’ll need the following requirements (besides the display, of course):
- iPad with iPadOS 16.2 or later
- iPad is powered by an M-series processor: for example, an M1 or M2 chip
- USB-C to HDMI, USB-C Thunderbolt cable, DisplayPort adapter or multi-port hub.
- iPad-compatible wired or wireless mouse or trackpad. Highly recommended keyboard.
These requirements may change in the future, so be sure to check back Apple’s website for current hardware and software requirements. At the time of writing, the following iPad models are equipped to take advantage of the extended display functionality:
- iPad Pro 12.9 inches (5th generation and later)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (third generation and later)
- iPad Air (5th generation and later)
Note: If you’re looking for a new iPad, learning which processor it is dictates which features you can take advantage of, such as expanded display functionality. For example, buying an iPad Air M1 instead of an iPad A14 Bionic for about $100 more could mean the difference between a full iPad experience for years to come or buying a new tablet sooner than you expected.
How to turn on extended display on iPad
The use of Extended View is, at the time of writing, related to the new Stage Manager feature. Stage Manager is a more desktop-like mode for supported iPads that lets you use up to four Windows apps on your iPad at the same time, making tasks like collaborating on projects much easier.
By default, your iPad will be in screen mirroring mode if you just connect it to the external display, so you’ll need to follow these steps to get the external display mode working properly:
- Before connecting anything, swipe down from the top-left corner of the iPad screen in landscape mode to reveal the Control Center. Make sure the stage manager button is enabled.
- Connect the Bluetooth or USB-C wired mouse (or trackpad) to your iPad if you’re using a multi-port USB hub.
- Connect your external display to your iPad. A pop-up banner will appear at the top of the iPad screen, indicating that the external display has been automatically activated with Stage Manager.
advice: If you want to easily switch between your iPad, Mac, or other device connected to a single external display, consider getting an HDMI switch.
How to use Stage Manager with extended view
The Stage Manager window experience is quite different from what you’d expect from macOS, even though Stage Manager is available in macOS Ventura. It might feel a little strange if you’re used to Microsoft Windows or macOS, but once you have the basics down, it really starts to become intuitive.
Below is a quick navigation guide for Stage Manager on iPad.
- Stage Manager places the app you’re actively using in the center of the screen, with other apps represented as thumbnails on the side.
- Switching between window groups is easy: just click on a thumbnail. The system arranges thumbnails based on recent use.
- To create a center window group, drag a thumbnail to the center window.
- To remove a window from a group, drag it back to the thumbnails area. Adjusting the center window is as simple as dragging a window corner.
- Moving items between windows is also easy! Hold the draggable item over a thumbnail until its window moves to the center, then drop it to the desired window.
- To minimize a window to a thumbnail without switching windows, click “Minimize” on the window’s three-dot menu.
good to know: This is by no means a comprehensive guide to using Stage Manager on the iPad, but it should be enough to get you started. Our stage manager guide can offer you more in-depth help.
Common questions
Can I access multiple audio channels while using an extended display with my iPad?
No, just like when using the iPad standalone, only one audio channel is available. Once you start playing something with audio, any other media currently playing will be paused. For example, you won’t be able to play music in the background if foreground apps start playing media.
Can I use my iPad speakers with an external monitor?
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, there is no option to designate your iPad’s speaker as the primary audio output channel when connected to an external monitor. If your screen doesn’t have speakers or any way to output audio, your only other option is to use a pair of Bluetooth headphones or speakers with your iPad.
How do I disable HDR?
You may notice that your iPad is running in HDR mode when you connect it to an HDR-capable device, but on some computer monitors, it looks downright awful. Go to “Settings -> Display & Brightness -> Displays -> External Display -> Preferred Display Settings -> SDR.”
You may want to toggle “Allow display mode changes” to on so that when you play HDR content, the display will automatically revert to HDR.
All photos and screenshots by Sydney Butler.
Sign up for our newsletter!
Our latest tutorials are delivered straight to your inbox