Sidecar While Using VPN

Site Feedback
1

Hi - I’m considering buying an iPad to use as a secondary monitor with my Macbook pro.

But I have seen a few things online from a couple of years ago saying that sidecar didn’t work when the macbook was connected to a VPN.

I just wondered if anyone knew whether this issue had been resolved? As I need a VPN for work and don’t want to shell out for a new iPad only for sidecar not to work. I use ExpressVPN if that makes a difference.

Thanks

2

You know, sidecar may use IP to connect wirelessly, (makes sense, but I’m not sure 100%), which yes, a vpn could interfere with if tunneling isn’t enabling on your vpn. You may be able to get around this by using the iPad with a cable to the MacBook. If I decide to get my ass out of bed at all today and I remember, I can test this later for you.

3

We need this for Windows/Android!

4

Hey mate, found this on the stackexchange and it works! Both for airdrop and sidecar.

​

I dig Mullvad VPN Mac app preferences, and found that there is an optionto enable “Local network sharing” that allows local network access toconnected devices. I turned it on and voila, I had my airdrop back. Ibelieve that major VPN providers’ Mac app has this function, and if youtoggle this function, you can get your problem solved.

5

Yeah, I know from experience that it also used to cause issues with Airdrop. But they have fixed this now and you can airdrop while using VPN, so wondered if they had done the same with sidecar.

Haha, thanks that would be appreciated! Does sidecar work via cable as well? I thought I’d read it was strictly wireless

6

Thank you so much! I second this. I also use Mullvad and this method worked like a charm.

7

So yeah, my work VPN does not have local tunnelling turned on, so I have no access to my local network while connected to it. I connected my iPad to my MacBook with sidecare wirelessly, and it was working great. I connected to VPN, and as expected, I lost connection to my iPad immediately. I then plugged my iPad into my computer with a USB-C cable and reconnected it and it worked as expected, even while the VPN was active. So, to answer all the questions – yes, VPN can affect wireless sidecar connections, but a hard-wire does get around this.

Hope this helps.

8

Thanks a lot for your help!