Sidecar - Has anyone got it working?

[jas07]

Hi Guys,

Has anyone managed to get SideCar working in Catalina? Had a look over the release notes but cant see any mention of it not being in Beta 1.

Thanks

 

[lisai9093]

I think only usbc to usbc connection works. So both computer and iPad should have usbc in order to work.

 

[BaggieBoy]

What iPad has a USB-C connector?

I have it working with a first generation iPad Pro 12.9" using a USB-C to Lightning cable.

 

[nesl247]

I think only usbc to usbc connection works. So both computer and iPad should have usbc in order to work.

I’ve used both the wireless connection and usb-c. Both work. The only difference is performance.

 

[AnthonyHarris]

I’ve used both the wireless connection and usb-c. Both work. The only difference is performance.

I can't even seen an option for it. I have both the new operating systems installed on my MacBook Pro 2017 and iPad Pro 2018.

 

[BaggieBoy]

Just used it wirelessly, which worked fine. However when I disconnected, the iPad was frozen. Had to do a hard reset.

 

[AnthonyHarris]

If you can’t see the sidecar icon in system preferences, use force quit to close it down and then open it again with shift held down.

Sidecar appeared after that for me, anyway.

 

[cambookpro]

Sidecar is working fine for me (2016 MacBook Pro, 10.5" Pro). Have only tried it wirelessly so far.

 

[PowerBook-G5]

Will Side Car be compatible with a Mid-2015 MacBook Pro? I saw on Reddit that one user was using it with his iPad Air 2, which makes me happy!

 

[Brammy]

I don't see sidecar on my 2014 11" Air. I have the 1st gen 12.9. I am not sure if that combo doesn't work, or I am just tired.

I tried the shift-launch on System Prefs.

 

[The Reason]

I get a an unable to connect, the device timed out error. Both wirelessly and with USB-C cable.

 

[ipottersmith]

If you can’t see the sidecar icon in system preferences, use force quit to close it down and then open it again with shift held down.

Sidecar appeared after that for me, anyway.

Unfortunately this didn't work on my with me 2014 MacBook Pro

 

[coolbreeze2]

Sidecar working for me wirelessly. See my devices in my signature.

 

[urbanmacUser]

I tried 10.15 on a MacBook and 9.7inch iPad (A1673) and no sidecar.
Just added it to a MacBook Pro and Sidecar is working with same iPad.

I see the preference and the menu bar item but and I can extend the screen to the iPad wirelessly but my Apple Pencil is not working on the iPad....EDIT, working now had to pair the pencil again

Looking at the preference options I'd say SideCar might only work with TouchBar Mac's.

 

[scotio200]

Can't seem to get this working on a VM, has anyone else tried?

 

[Brammy]

Looking at the preference options I'd say SideCar might only work with TouchBar Mac's.

I'd be surprised, since that would rule out iMacs and the like.

 

[ipottersmith]

Apple actually mentions on their site that this will include touch bar features even on Macs that don’t have a Touch Bar, so we’re good on that front!

 

[thingstoponder]

I have a 2012 MBP and a 5th gen iPad and have no option in the Menu Bar or System Preferences, wireless or with a lightning cable.

 

[ErikGrim]

What iPad has a USB-C connector?

All current Pros?

 

[BaggieBoy]

All current Pros?

I must have missed that detail when they were released.

 

[MrGunnyPT]

Which iPads are supported wireless? I was thinking of getting the new iPad just for this for when I'm at work.

 

[lisai9093]

Which iPads are supported wireless? I was thinking of getting the new iPad just for this for when I'm at work.

I think the problem is on Mac side.

 

[urbanmacUser]

Definitely early days with sidecar, randomly looses connection. Sometimes connects sometimes fails.

 

[Ultracyclist]

If only usb -C MacBooks support this feature maybe a CAT (continuity activation tool) like tool will be the solution for this inconvenience...


Edit:

If found this when hunting for information on my 2015 MBP 15"





(You cant open pref. Sidecar because it is currently not available,
to show this you might need to attach a device to your computer)

 

[ipottersmith]

This reddit user has done some interesting research on the topic: https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/bx3eet/sidecar_support_on_older_macs/

Not every Mac that supports macOS Catalina will support the Sidecar feature. I could not find any official info, but here are my own findings. There’s an explicit check that the Mac is newer than these models:

• MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro: Early 2015
  
  
• iMac: Late 2015
  
  
• Mac mini: Late 2014
  
  
• Mac Pro: Late 2013

I managed to make Sidecar work with my Mid 2014 MacBook Pro work and iPad Pro. It’s great in terms of minimal lag, but the image quality is bad. I guess the limitation is about hardware HEVC encoding which requires Intel Core 6th gen processor.

Here’s what it looks like: https://imgur.com/gallery/wIyv6Xl



That requires disabling System Integrity Protection and editing SidecarCore private framework to exclude your Mac model from the blacklist.



If you need this feature on an older Mac despite low image quality I suggest filing a bug report with Apple. A hidden option to disable such hardware check would be great.