Using an external monitor with the Ipad Air

But, if you want to stay with Apple, you could opt for the M2 iPad Air, which has the Stage Manager feature and a decent chip in it. Also, you could get a Pencil Pro with the new Air. The best part, is it starts at only $599.

-CPistol

Krooko wrote:

Yes, it’s rubbish that Apple can’t add this functionality for the 4th gen Ipad Air

I understand the inability to add support for Stage Manager in earlier iPads is a hardware issue. Stage Manager was developed later, and the earlier models don't have the necessary components inside.

Upgrade would require replacing the logic board which would convert it into a later generation (except the replacement board is not available on the open market and it probably wouldn't fit in the case).

Which model of iPad Air do you have?

Settings > General > About > iPad Model

Due to limitations of internal hardware, the Stage Manager feature is only available for these models of iPad:

• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation and later)
• iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)

Feature availability is limited by system hardware - CPU and available RAM being critical to some advanced functionality. iPad models supporting Stage Manager have an M4, M2, M1 or A12X CPU (upon which the M-series CPUs are reportedly based) - with at least 8GB RAM.

iPad models that do not support Stage Manager are able to use screen mirroring with an external monitor/display.

Krooko wrote:

Yes, it’s rubbish that Apple can’t add this functionality for the 4th gen Ipad Air - it’s just a waste of energy to have to keep burning the ipad screen even though the cover is closed all the time. As stated previously, I’ll have to abandon Apple and buy a Microsoft Surface instead .. Thanks for responding anyway

Have you considered simply reducing the iPad's screen brightness from its Control Centre (accessed using a downward-swipe from the top-right corner of the iPad's screen)?

Depending on what model your iPad Air is, the Stage Manager feature may not work. However, the screen resolution may be to blame as well. As long as the screen is full HD (1920x1080) and 16:9 (or better) and you have a wireless mouse and keyboard connected to the iPad, the Stage Manager on the display should work. About the independence of the monitor, the iPad’s screen must stay on for the monitor to work. I can give you some more data though, I just need to know what model of iPad Air it is.

-CPistol

Krooko wrote:

Thanks for getting back. My Ipad Air is 4th Gen, 64 gb

The fourth generation iPad Air does not support Stage Manager - but does support screen mirroring. As such, while you can't use the external monitor as a second screen to provide an extended desktop in addition to the iPad, the monitor will display a copy of what you see on the iPad screen.

As the iPad screen and external monitor have different aspect ratios, you will see a black border - or black infill bands at the left and right sides of the screen when using the external monitor with the iPad.

As the iPad is screen mirroring, you cannot use the external screen with the iPad screen turned off. As such, you'll not be able to achieve what you are attempting.

So, as I said earlier, the iPad’s screen has to stay on to mirror, and there is no alternative, and also, as LotusPilot said, because your Air is a 4th gen, it doesn’t support Stage Manager.

Sorry,

-CPistol

Confused1- wrote:

I have the new iPad Air with the M2 chip. I can’t seem to close my Magic Keyboard without my external monitor going into no signal mode. Any suggestions appreciated. TIA

The behaviour that you describe is expected. You might try changing your iPad's Lock/Unlock setting:

Settings > Display & Brightness > Lock/Unlock - set to OFF

I have the new iPad Air with the M2 chip. I can’t seem to close my Magic Keyboard without my external monitor going into no signal mode. Any suggestions appreciated. TIA