Encore vs Sidecar.
Sidecar is for an iPad, not an iMac.
Sidecar makes an iPad a second screen for your Mac. It cannot use an iMac as the screen. Pick Sidecar if you own a compatible iPad: it is free, built in and has Apple Pencil support. Pick Encore if the screen you have is an old iMac.
Who should pick which
- Pick Sidecar if you have a compatible iPad and want a second screen today, for free, at no setup cost.
- Pick Encore if you want your old iMac as the screen. Sidecar doesn't do this, and neither does Universal Control: that one shares a keyboard and mouse between devices but no screen.
Side by side
| Encore | Sidecar | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free during the public beta | Free, built in |
| The extra screen | An Intel iMac from 2007 to 2020 | An iPad |
| Your Mac | macOS 14 or later | macOS 10.15 or later, on a supported Mac (most from 2016 on) |
| Screen requirements | iMac on macOS 10.13 or later; Legacy for older | iPad on iPadOS 13 or later (Apple's list) |
| Connection | Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet or Thunderbolt | Wireless within 10 meters, or USB |
| Same Apple Account needed | No | Yes, with two-factor authentication |
What Sidecar can't do
Apple's Sidecar requirements only cover an iPad as the second display. There is no setting that turns an iMac into a Sidecar screen. Two related Apple features are often confused with this:
- Universal Control shares one keyboard and mouse across Macs and iPads. It does not put your screen on the iMac. Apple lists iMacs from 2017 and the 5K Late 2015.
- Screen Sharing shows the other Mac in a window. It doesn't give your Mac an extra display.
If you came here because you have an iMac and wanted Sidecar, your real options are Target Display Mode (very limited), AirPlay to Mac (2019 and later iMacs), or an app such as Encore.
If you have an iPad and an old iMac
They don't compete. Sidecar suits drawing and quick reference on an iPad. Encore turns the iMac into a large screen and, when you stop, a clock and smart display. Check your iMac on the compatibility page and find the right cable.
Facts on this page were checked on 9 November 2026 on the linked pages. Speeds are each maker's own figures, not independent measurements. Something out of date? Tell us and we fix it.
Questions
Can Sidecar use an iMac as a second screen?
No. Apple describes Sidecar as using an iPad as a second display for your Mac. It does not offer an iMac as the screen.
Does Universal Control make my iMac a monitor?
No. Universal Control shares a keyboard and mouse between devices. Each device keeps showing its own screen.
What is the alternative to Sidecar for an iMac?
For iMacs from Late 2009 to 2020: Encore. For iMacs from 2019: AirPlay to Mac, built in. For iMacs from 2009 to Mid 2014 with a Mac from 2019 or earlier: Target Display Mode.