How to Extend a Computer Desktop to an iPad with Splashtop

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Quickly turn your iPad into a wireless display to mirror or extend your computer screen.

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: April 25, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Installing
|
• Connecting the Display
|
• Troubleshooting
|
• Expert Interview

|Show more |Show less

If you want to turn your iPad into an extended monitor or display for your computer, you can use Splashtop Wired XDisplay. This app lets you work on your main computer screen and either mirror your screen to your iPad or use the iPad as a second desktop. This wikiHow teaches you how to set up and start using Splashtop Wired XDisplay on your PC or Mac and helps you troubleshoot common problems.

Quick Steps

1. Install the Splashtop Wired XDisplay app on your iPad.
2. Install Splashtop Wired XDisplay Agent on your PC or Mac.
3. Connect your iPad to your computer with its USB charging cable.
4. Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows).
5. Open Splashtop Wired XDisplay on your iPad.
6. Open Splashtop Wired XDisplay Agent on your computer.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Installing

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1. 1
   Install the Splashtop Wired XDisplay app on your iPad. To get started with Splashtop, you'll need to install the app on your iPad. You can download it from the App Store.

   • You may have to confirm your password or fingerprint to start the download.
2. 2
   Install the desktop app on your PC or Mac. To get the Splashtop Wired XDisplay Agent on your computer, go to https://www.splashtop.com/products/wiredxdisplay and click the Download link for Windows or macOS. Once downloaded, double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install.
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3. 3
   Install iTunes on your PC (if using Windows). You can skip this step on a Mac. If you don't already have iTunes, you can get it from https://www.apple.com/itunes or by opening the Microsoft Store app and searching for "iTunes."
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Section 2 of 3:

Connecting the Display

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1. 1
   Connect your iPad to your computer with a USB cable. Use the cable that came with your iPad or one that's compatible.
2. 2
   Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows). If you're using a Mac, click the two-toned smiley face icon on the Dock to launch Finder. If you're using Windows, click iTunes in the Start menu to launch it.

   • If it's your first time using iTunes, you'll be prompted to sign in with your Apple ID. Use the same Apple ID username and password that you use on your iPad to do so.
3. 3
   Open Splashtop Wired XDisplay on your iPad. It's the blue icon with a white computer screen and tablet inside. A blue screen will appear.
4. 4
   Open Splashtop Wired XDisplay Agent on your computer. It's in the Applications folder on a Mac, and the Windows menu on a PC. In a few seconds, you'll see your PC or Mac's screen on your iPad.
5. 5
   Choose whether to mirror or extend the display. You can choose whether to mirror your screen (including any open apps) to the iPad, or use your iPad as a second (extended) monitor:

   • PC: In the Splashtop desktop app, click Advanced on the left, then toggle "Enable Mirror mode" on or off.
   • Mac: Click the Wired XDisplay icon in the menu bar (near the clock), select Preferences, choose Arrangement, and then toggle "Mirror displays" on or off.
6. 6
   Close the app when you're ready to disconnect. If you're finished mirroring or extending your screen, you can close the connection by closing the app on your computer. To do this on a PC, right-click the green Wired XDisplay Agent icon in the system tray (near the clock) and select Exit. If you're using a Mac, click the XDisplay Agent on the menu bar (near the clock) and select Quit.
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Section 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

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1. 1
   Check your Windows mirroring settings. If Splashtop is only mirroring, not extending the screen, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem:

   • Disconnect your iPad from your PC.
   • In the Slashtop desktop app, click the Advanced tab, and remove the checkmark from "Enable Mirror mode" (if present).
   • Reconnect your iPad and open the Splashtop mobile app (if closed).
   • In the desktop app, click the Settings tab.
   • Click Set Resolution.
   • If your monitor settings are set to Duplicate these displays or Duplicate desktop, select Extend instead.
2. 2
   Uninstall and reinstall the Windows Virtual Display driver. If you're using Windows, you can fix many Splashtop Wired XDisplay problems by deleting and reinstalling Virtual Display from the Splashtop desktop app:

   • Disconnect your iPad from your computer.
   • In the desktop app, click the Advanced tab.
   • Click the Uninstall driver button.
   • Click Install Driver.
3. 3
   Open and close iTunes (Windows). If the Splashtop XDisplay app closes automatically or doesn't open at all, it's usually because iTunes isn't open. Be sure to open iTunes before opening the desktop and mobile XDisplay apps.
4. 4
   Adjust the framerate and quality. If your cursor disappears or is flickering on your iPad:

   • Click the Settings tab in the Wired XDisplay desktop app.
   • Select Low as the Framerate.
   • Select Normal as the Quality.
   • If this doesn't fix the problem by itself, change the resolution in Windows or macOS to the second-best option.
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