A second screen for your Mac mini
Before buying another monitor for your Mac mini, try the devices you already have. SpareScreen turns a spare tablet, phone or old laptop into a wireless second screen next to your main monitor.
Click to copy. Uses Homebrew, a free and widely trusted installer for Mac apps. 7 days free, then $7.99 once.
Why it suits a Mac mini
- No extra cable or adapter. The extra screen goes over Wi-Fi, so your Mac mini's ports stay free.
- Any device you have: an iPad on a stand, an Android tablet, a phone or an old laptop.
- Good for the side jobs: chat, email, music, a calendar or a reference document next to your main monitor.
How to set it up
- Install SpareScreen on your Mac with the line above. It opens in the menu bar.
- Allow Screen Recording when macOS asks. That lets SpareScreen show the extra screen on your tablet.
- Open the link in its browser. Click SpareScreen in the menu bar to see the link and its QR code, then open it on the tablet. Both need to be on the same Wi-Fi.
- Click Allow on the Mac. An extra screen appears, shaped exactly like your tablet. Drag windows onto it like any monitor.
Put the extra screen beside your monitor in System Settings → Displays → Arrange, the same as any monitor.
Good to know
- Mac mini on Ethernet? That works, as long as the tablet's Wi-Fi is on the same home network.
- Touch control is optional. Turn it on in the SpareScreen menu (it asks for Accessibility permission) to tap, drag, right-click and scroll on the device. Typing still happens on the Mac.
- Everyday work feels instant. Video and fast scrolling are heavier and can stutter on slow Wi-Fi; 5 GHz Wi-Fi helps.
- Streaming services stay black. Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ block screen capture in every app like this.
- Use Wi-Fi you trust. The picture travels over your local network, never through the internet.
Questions
Can I use an iPad as a second monitor for a Mac mini?
Yes. Any iPad that opens modern websites in Safari works, including ones Sidecar doesn't support.
Does my Mac mini need Wi-Fi?
The Mac mini and the device need to be on the same network. A Mac mini on Ethernet works too, as long as the device's Wi-Fi is on the same home network.
What does SpareScreen cost?
It's free for 7 days, then $7.99 once. It's a one-time purchase with no subscription, and one key works on up to 3 Macs.
Which Macs does it work on?
Any Mac running macOS 13 Ventura or later, with Apple Silicon or Intel.
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Last updated October 2026.