How to Use Your iPad as a Second Screen for Your Mac

[JSway]

I need to update it! Keep forgetting I have this app installed. Although the annual subscription is a bummer for more features.

 

[rahulda1]

WARNING: Duet display is actually a terrible app. They give you sub-par resolution and latency, only to ask you for an annual fee for an actually acceptable mirroring/extension experience.

If the fact that they STILL haven’t updated their app for the new iPad Pro isn’t a sign that they suck, then I don’t know what is. I’m so mad that I wasted $10 and I hope their theft bites them in the future.

We support iPad Pro? And the base app is one time.

 

[masteroflondon]

Luna Display needs only one plugged in accessory (they have two versions for either USB-C or Display port) and also can work wirelessly or wired. It also allows full support with Apple Pencil. Works great!

Do you know if it works when Mac and iPad are wifi tethered to the iPhone?

 

[McG2k1]

I wish there was a way to use the iPad as a mini client monitor for post production. Not as a second desktop screen, but something directly out of the hdmi port from a black majic or Aja I/O.

 

[Chabba]

Did they ever resolve the AirPlay issue?
I bought this May 2016, and got a refund after I learned it broke AirPlay. The developer confirmed if you use Duet, you cannot use AirPlay to an Apple TV, which is why I got my refund.

 

[4jasontv]

Which iPad are you using it with? I have the 2018 11" and there's no lag at all. I have Slack and Microsoft Code running at full screen on the iPad and it's awesome to be able to use the same keyboard/trackpad to control my iPad screen. It's a more natural workflow then switching between input devices on my MBP and those on my iPad.

Another weird issue is that I get an "Apple Watch is unable to unlock your computer while your screen is shared".

10.5 iPad Pro and 2009 MBP. I’m getting well under 20 FPS. I am guessing single digit frames.

 

[eyeseeyou]

i have this app, but never use it.
does actually anyone really use it?

I use it often. Truly makes the ipad an "in between" product from the iphone to the macbook.

 

[shareef777]

Edit: Nevermind, reboots were tied to iTunes syncs, not the Duet app.

 

[KPOM]

I bought duet display a while back, tried again a couple of weeks ago. It's slow, it crashes and has to be reconnected all the time. Wasted money.

Tested on Macbook Pro 15 from 2017 and iPad pro from 2017 as well

The new version released yesterday works well. No more need for the Airplay workaround. Actually, the latest release was in November, but it depended on changes to Mojave that came through with yesterday’s update, so try it after you’ve updated the OS.
[doublepost=1544134791][/doublepost]

You're all blaming the app basing your judgement on previous versions, but does actually anyone tested the update from December, 5, that is, yesterday?

I have. It works very well. The only glitch I had was setting it up on the Mac. I downloaded the latest file from the website. After I installed it and rebooted, it wanted to re-install it when I started Duet. I realized I had to grant permission in System Preferences>Security & Privacy>General to “Rahul Dawal” in order for it to finish installing. Apparently he’s the developer of Duet. But since then it seems to be working well.
[doublepost=1544135140][/doublepost]

Did they ever resolve the AirPlay issue?
I bought this May 2016, and got a refund after I learned it broke AirPlay. The developer confirmed if you use Duet, you cannot use AirPlay to an Apple TV, which is why I got my refund.

The old version used AirPlay as a workaround. The new version no longer needs to.

 

[brdeveloper]

I have. It works very well. The only glitch I had was setting it up on the Mac. I downloaded the latest file from the website. After I installed it and rebooted, it wanted to re-install it when I started Duet. I realized I had to grant permission in System Preferences>Security & Privacy>General to “Rahul Dawal” in order for it to finish installing. Apparently he’s the developer of Duet. But since then it seems to be working well.

I'm just able to use mirroring mode. When I set the resolution for the second display, the iPad screen freezes. Any ideas?

 

[KPOM]

I'm just able to use mirroring mode. When I set the resolution for the second display, the iPad screen freezes. Any ideas?

Make sure you update the iPad app, as well. Set the resolution, etc from within Duet rather than System Preferences.

 

[brdeveloper]

Make sure you update the iPad app, as well. Set the resolution, etc from within Duet rather than System Preferences.

Just downloaded the iPad app (2.0.3.8), however the iPad is still on iOS 11. Perhaps it has something to do...

 

[stockseer]

I bought duet display a while back, tried again a couple of weeks ago. It's slow, it crashes and has to be reconnected all the time. Wasted money.

Tested on Macbook Pro 15 from 2017 and iPad pro from 2017 as well

went thru the update process today; including a restart; and works terrific. First time I've really liked it! However I made sure to upgrade my MacBookPro OSX Mojave (new update yesterday); IOS for the iPad Pro and only then did I attempt to update DUET, which was tough until I actually followed the instructions in this article; and downloaded from duet.com website; and then came the restart. Anyway all good.

PS.. thank you MCRumors.. this was a very useful article and update; as I struggled with Duet on a recent European trip and now I feel better-prepared for the next journey.
[doublepost=1544144094][/doublepost]

When was the last time you tried it? The app has been broken for a while now and required a workaround that made it pretty much unusable. After this update those issues have been fixed and it works like it used to. I'd suggest giving it another try. Also, that subscription is only for the version that supports wireless and remote desktop capabilities. If you just want to hook an iPad up and use it as an external display hooked up with a cable it's just the one time cost of the app.

Exactly right. Works great. And although I use AirPlay for some purposes; the direct connection (iPad Pro to MacBook Pro) is really great for (as an example) using on a cruise ship or sharing a hotspot creating 2 screens for my stock market work and it is really helpful. (I think I meant to reply to a different post; not my own lol.. however the point is as long as you update IOS 'and' MAC first; then do the DUET update, it works great.)

 

[Invisible Elf]

I am unable to choose a higher resolution on my iPad Pro 11 inch with duet. It gives me a huge black bar at the bottom of the screen, and the text looks blurry. I have updated everything to the newest version.

 

[Kynmore]

How is it better than just pulling up the document on your iPad and using cloud storage and Universal Clipboard? What do you use it for where the lag doesn’t drive you crazy?

Only time I've had any lag was once I had installed Mojave. This new versions takes it back to how it was with almost no lag. Only time I see lag is when first connecting and using 1080p resolution. 720 works great, but this is also an Air2 it runs off my 2013 rMBP. Newer hardware has less issues.

 

[ZMacintosh]

honestly with the USB-C iPad Pros, this should be a built-in function. Plug in with USB-C and option to use an external display with touch or pencil support.

Still trying to find a good alternative to Wacom, which their drivers are hit or miss and most of their products are clunky in the Cintiq line-up.

 

[masteroflondon]

This article says version v2.0.3.8+. My copy of the app says it (version 2.0.1.5) is the newest available. The Duet web site says 'Latest Mac - 2.0.0.17'. I found exactly the same muddle back when Duet pretended it was a functional product on their website even when it wasn't.

Luna arriving soon!

 

[KPOM]

This article says version v2.0.3.8+. My copy of the app says it (version 2.0.1.5) is the newest available. The Duet web site says 'Latest Mac - 2.0.0.17'. I found exactly the same muddle back when Duet pretended it was a functional product on their website even when it wasn't.

Luna arriving soon!

I downloaded 2.0.3.8 from Duet’s website.

 

[Macalway]

There's some issue with the app update for Mac. Just click the link for the desktop version at the website, and it will download the new version. When I checked for an update within the app itself, it was not giving me the right info.

I was confused myself. You don't want to miss this update. It's like a new app.

 

[Gudd]

but it depended on changes to Mojave that came through with yesterday’s update, so try it after you’ve updated the OS.

THIS!!! THANK YOU!!!

Whilst it was stated in the article it was quite easy to miss (I did!). I was here wondering why duet was still a laggy, buggy, crashing mess that still relied on AirPlay. I've not followed the news much this week so didn't know there was a new version of MacOS out.

After updating MacOS to 10.14.2 and reinstalling Duet (the newer version) my ancient iPad 2 is back to being a usable 2nd (actually, 3rd since I have eGPU) screen again. I'm sure the performance would be better if I wasn't using such an ancient iPad but seriously, it's not a laggy mess any more and it is back to being quite usable.

Personally I use it so that I can have access to the Touch Bar of my 2017 MBP when I'm using an external keyboard. I really miss the Touch Bar otherwise.

 

[mijail]

I want to cry when I imagine the latency...

I want to cry when I think that there's people commenting this self-assuredly while evidently having no fricking idea.

Current user here. Using an external monitor with Display Port, PLUS an iPad Pro with Duet Display. Both show the same lag: not noticeable.

The absurd thing is that there *are* things to complain about in Duet, but latency?
Why don't you even try to get a clue before commenting?
[doublepost=1544348076][/doublepost]

WARNING: Duet display is actually a terrible app. They give you sub-par resolution and latency, only to ask you for an annual fee for an actually acceptable mirroring/extension experience.

If the fact that they STILL haven’t updated their app for the new iPad Pro isn’t a sign that they suck, then I don’t know what is. I’m so mad that I wasted $10 and I hope their theft bites them in the future.

Annual fee? What are you talking about? I bought the app about 2 years ago and I never paid again.

Regarding latency, you're the second commenter mentioning that. But I have a DP-connected monitor while also using Duet, and the latency looks the same to my naked eye in both displays. Care to record a short video or something to show that terrible latency?

Resolution - yes, something has been screwy for a long time, in that most options give you a black band at the bottom. I submitted a bug long ago, and I don't remember ever getting an answer. However, in practice the best resolution for me (which keeps similar Retina DPI to my other 2 displays) does cover most of the screen, so I've been able to ignore the problem.

 

[briank73]

I am unable to choose a higher resolution on my iPad Pro 11 inch with duet. It gives me a huge black bar at the bottom of the screen, and the text looks blurry. I have updated everything to the newest version.

I have similar issues with iPad Pro 2017 - I have installed a tool to set the exact resolution I want (RDM - sets the resolution of the MBP Retina and the iPad seperately), it looks like it is working or me...
[doublepost=1545083607][/doublepost]

We support iPad Pro? And the base app is one time.

I do not agree. I needed extra tooling (e.g., RDM) to set a proper resolution worth working with (to avoid blurring)...

 

[KPOM]

I am unable to choose a higher resolution on my iPad Pro 11 inch with duet. It gives me a huge black bar at the bottom of the screen, and the text looks blurry. I have updated everything to the newest version.

Make sure you are downloading the latest version and have updated Mojave to the latest version, as well. Go onto the Duet homepage and download from the link there (don't go to the support page or try to update from within an earlier version).
[doublepost=1545086578][/doublepost]

I bought duet display a while back, tried again a couple of weeks ago. It's slow, it crashes and has to be reconnected all the time. Wasted money.

Tested on Macbook Pro 15 from 2017 and iPad pro from 2017 as well

Make sure you are running the latest version of Mojave. They got it working now. It works well with Windows 10, though it does eat up a lot of GPU power (my work PC has the UHD 620 integrated graphics).

 

[mrow]

Make sure you are downloading the latest version and have updated Mojave to the latest version, as well. Go onto the Duet homepage and download from the link there (don't go to the support page or try to update from within an earlier version).
[doublepost=1545086578][/doublepost]
Make sure you are running the latest version of Mojave. They got it working now. It works well with Windows 10, though it does eat up a lot of GPU power (my work PC has the UHD 620 integrated graphics).

In a sense these people have good points though. WTF, why can’t they get the internal updater in the app to detect and install this new version? I imagine there are many more people out there that still think it’s broken because they opened the app, went to the menu, checked for updates, and it said there was none.

This is pretty shoddy on Duet’s behalf and reflects pretty poorly on them. I know the previous problems were out of their hands but come on, you can’t get your own updater to work?

 

[Invisible Elf]

Make sure you are downloading the latest version and have updated Mojave to the latest version, as well. Go onto the Duet homepage and download from the link there (don't go to the support page or try to update from within an earlier version).
[doublepost=1545086578][/doublepost]
Make sure you are running the latest version of Mojave. They got it working now. It works well with Windows 10, though it does eat up a lot of GPU power (my work PC has the UHD 620 integrated graphics).

Turns out that I did not have Mojave installed at all (I really thought I did). Also I had to redownload the app from the website. It works much better now!! The only remmaining complaint I have is that the app does not utilize the full screen on my 11 inch iPad Pro (much like many other apps)