How to Turn Your iPad into an Extended Desktop for Mac

If you ask a random sampling of iPad owners how they use their tablet, you’ll likely get drastically different answers based on the individual.

To some people, an iPad is a relaxation tool used to read books, play games or stay up to date on social media while on the road. Others use it as a business tool to collect data, present or take notes. AirParrot 3 and the AirParrot Remote iOS app let you use that iPad as an extra monitor for your Mac.

The AirParrot Remote “Extend Desktop” feature turns your iPad into a wireless extra display for your computer. You can drag documents, apps and browsers from your computer to your iPad, just as you would with any extra monitor connected via the old wired connection method.

How to turn your iPad into an extended desktop for Mac:

1. Download and install AirParrot 3 on your Mac.
2. Download and install AirParrot Remote on your iPad.
3. Connect your Mac and iPad to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. Open AirParrot 3 on your Mac.
5. Open AirParrot Remote on your iPad.
6. Select your computer from the list of available devices in the AirParrot Remote menu to connect.
7. Tap the “Extend Desktop” option in AirParrot Remote and then tap the desktop preview image at the top of the AirParrot Remote menu.
8. Now your iPad is working as an extra display for your computer. You may drag files, windows and applications from your computer to your iPad.

Protip: This feature is used to create an extra display, but it doubles as a way to remotely control your computer’s mouse and keyboard. You can actually edit documents and manage apps running on your computer from the iPad. Pretty cool, right?

You can grab AirParrot 3 for $15.99 in our online store and the AirParrot Remote app for $7.99 in the Apple App Store.