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Use an old iPad as a second monitor on Windows or Linux

Last updated: 2026-11-05

Sidecar works only with a Mac. ZiPad has a Windows and a Linux version, both in beta. The Windows version has been tested on real hardware. The Linux version has only been tested in virtual machines. Install the iPad app first, as described in the iPad Air 1 guide.

Windows

Requirements: Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit

Download for Windows (.zip)

  1. Install Apple Devices from the Microsoft Store (or iTunes), so Windows can see the iPad.
  2. Unzip it into a folder you'll keep.
  3. Run Install-Virtual-Display.cmd once and approve the prompts. An extended screen needs this. Without it, ZiPad uses a second monitor if you have one, or mirrors your main screen.
  4. Double-click zipad-host.exe. It lives in the notification area. If SmartScreen stops it, click More info, then Run anyway.
  5. If the firewall asks, click Allow, or wireless won't connect.

If Windows doesn't see the iPad: press Home on the iPad, plug in the cable, then reopen ZiPad Display.

An extended screen needs a third-party open-source driver, Virtual Display Driver. It's signed by SignPath rather than Microsoft, so Windows asks whether to trust it. Any system driver can conflict with other software. Use mirroring if you'd rather not install it. To remove it, run Uninstall-Virtual-Display.cmd.

Frame rates on Windows

Frame rate depends on the graphics chip. Measured on an i3-4130 with HD 4400: a 400×300 animation ran at about 56 fps, 800×600 at about 51 fps, and full screen at about 25 fps. Fine for documents and reference. Don't expect smooth full-screen video or games.

Linux

Requirements: X11 or GNOME Wayland; x86_64 or aarch64

curl -fsSL https://zipad.meluon.fun/install-linux.sh | bash

Beta, and not yet tested on real hardware, only in virtual machines. Run this in a terminal. If you hit a problem or need something, email us or message us on Telegram. We will reply.

  1. Open a terminal, paste the command above and press Enter. The script installs what it needs and may ask for your password. It supports apt, dnf and pacman.
  2. Open ZiPad Host from your applications menu.
  3. If something is wrong, run zipad-host doctor to see what is missing. KDE, Sway and other Wayland desktops aren't supported; use an Xorg session.

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