How to use an iPad Air 1 as a second monitor
Last updated: 2026-11-05
The iPad Air 1 can't use Sidecar, so it needs a third-party app. This guide uses ZiPad, which was built for this iPad on iOS 12.5.8. The first setup takes about 15 minutes. iPad mini 2 and iPad mini 3 use the same steps, but have not been tested on real devices.
What you need
- An iPad Air 1 on iOS 12.5.8.
- A Mac on macOS 14 or later, a 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 PC, or a Linux computer with X11 or GNOME Wayland.
- A Lightning cable, Apple or MFi-certified if you can.
- A free Apple ID to sign the app. Use a spare one, not your main account.
Steps
- Download
ZiPadDisplay.ipa. - Install Sideloadly on the computer. On Windows, Sideloadly also needs iTunes.
- Connect the iPad by cable and tap Trust on it.
- Drag the IPA into the tool, enter an Apple ID and start. We suggest a spare Apple ID; the risks section explains why.
- On the iPad, open Settings > General > Device Management and trust that Apple ID.
- Install ZiPad Host on the computer and leave it running.
- Connect the iPad by cable, tap Trust, then open ZiPad Display.
- The picture appears within a few seconds. Keep ZiPad Display in the foreground; it disconnects in the background.
- Unplug the cable and keep ZiPad Display in the foreground. It reconnects over Wi-Fi within a few seconds. A Mac with no shared router uses Direct.
What to expect
- Measured on a Mac (M4 Pro, same router): median end-to-end delay for scrolling text was 19 ms by cable and 23–26 ms on Wi-Fi. Direct ran a test pattern at 26–30 ms, with occasional pauses over 200 ms.
- A free Apple ID signature lasts about 7 days. After that the app won't open, so repeat steps 3 and 4.
- Long sessions make an old iPad warm and use a lot of power. An aged battery may run down quickly, even while plugged in.