You Can Use An Android As A Second Screen For Mac - Here's How

A second monitor for your PC or laptop can significantly enhance your productivity and reduce clutter. For Mac users, it's pretty easy to use their iPad as a secondary screen with Apple's SideCar feature. But if you don't own an iPad, there are some sure-shot methods to use an Android device as an extended display. This guide takes you through the steps to set up and use an Android device as a second screen for Mac using wired or wireless methods.

Since the pandemic, a lot of us have resorted to using multiple monitors to manage our overflowing workloads, and this convenience has become a difficult habit to break. As return-to-office mandates force people to commute, a secondary monitor may once again become a luxury that not everyone can avail from employers or afford for themselves.

While you can buy portable monitors for your work laptops or PCs, not everyone will be comfortable with the additional expense, especially for a single-utility gadget. You can, however, use your phone or tablet to use as a secondary monitor with your laptop. If you're fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem, using an iPad to extend your Mac's display becomes very easy. But if you're using a Mac and an Android phone or tablet, you must resort to unofficial ways. Fortunately, there are some easy methods to accomplish the job, and the following sections take you through different ways you can use an Android device as a second screen for your Mac.

But before you can begin using Duet on your Mac, you need to authorize certain permissions. For this, go to System Settings on your Mac and head over to the "Privacy & Security" section if you are running macOS Ventura. Under Privacy & Security, you will find "Accessibility." Click the option and authorize access for Duet here by clicking the toggle next to its name. If you're running macOS Mojave or previous versions, you can find these settings in a separate Accessibility menu in the macOS System Settings app.

Next, head back to the main Privacy & Security menu, open "Screen Recording," and authorize access to Duet again.

Now, open the Duet app on your Mac and select Android in the menu on the left side and open the Duet app on your Android device, and then choose between Wired and Air (wireless) connectivity options from the top. 

The following sections will guide you through the processes of using Duet in wired or wireless mode separately.

Besides connecting with a USB cable, you can also connect your Android device to the Mac wirelessly. You need to ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and the Wi-Fi network is encrypted. We advise against using this feature on public Wi-Fi networks since that makes both devices vulnerable to attack from hackers while also exposing your data to potential breaches.

Start by heading over to the Duet app on your Mac and click the Android button on the left. Then click the "Air" option on the top of the app. 

Likewise, go to the Duet app on your Android and tap the Wi-Fi symbol on the left. Here you will see all the machines with the same Duet account running on the same Wi-Fi network. Tap "Mirror" or "Extend" based on how you wish to use the second screen with your Mac.

While wireless connectivity offers more flexibility and convenience, you may experience some lag or jitter based on how far the Wi-Fi router is from both devices.

You can also go to the Duet app on your Mac and change settings such as the display quality, the frame rate, and the resolution of the secondary display or enable "Auto-Connect" to save your efforts for the next time. 

By going to the "Displays" menu on your Mac's System Settings, you can also change the orientation or position of the secondary screen relative to Mac's primary display.