Menu bar app for Macs with Apple silicon
Your Mac desktop.Sized for your iPad.
PadTailor sets your Mac desktop to your iPad’s shape. Choose larger controls or more workspace, then turn on iPad display in the menu bar. Your remote desktop app handles the connection.
PadTailor is still in development. A release date has not been announced yet.
What is PadTailor?
PadTailor is a Mac app for remote access from your iPad. Choose your iPad model and one of four interface sizes. PadTailor prepares your Mac desktop; your separate remote desktop app streams it to your iPad.
- For Macs with Apple silicon, macOS 14+
- 26 iPad models to choose from
- Separate remote desktop app required
- Free for 14 days, then a one-time purchase
More of your Mac on your iPad.
A wide Mac monitor often fits poorly on an iPad. Black bars waste space, and text and controls get small. PadTailor lets you choose the right shape and interface size for your session. Switching it off restores the previous display configuration.
Three steps
Set up once. Then it’s one switch.
- 1
Choose your iPad
Pick model and generation from the list – from iPad mini to iPad Pro 13″.
- 2
Pick a size
Larger controls or more space: four detents on the measuring tape.
- 3
Switch on & connect
Turn on “iPad display” in the menu bar and connect with your remote desktop app.
Take measure
Four sizes. One fits.
Larger controls are easier to read and reach. Smaller controls give you more workspace. Choose from four sizes and change them during a session if you need to. PadTailor renders the desktop at Retina 2×.
Comfortable reading and easier-to-reach controls.
A balance between controls and workspace.
More content visible at once, with smaller controls.
The most workspace, with the smallest controls.
Schematic illustration
Features
For everyday work on your iPad.
One switch in the menu bar.
The menu shows only what you need: iPad display on or off, Settings, Quit.
Restore your displays.
PadTailor restores resolution and arrangement when you switch it off or quit. This works without a license or an internet connection.
Crisp and sharp.
Retina 2× in landscape at 60 Hz. Your desktop is rendered at iPad resolution, not upscaled.
Starts switched off.
Open at login if you like – you always turn the display on yourself.
Keep your remote access setup.
Your remote desktop app handles the connection and streaming. Use the 14-day trial to check how it shows the prepared Mac desktop on your iPad.
Private by design.
No account, no tracking. Diagnostics stay on your Mac until you decide to share them.
Requirements
What you need.
Mac
- Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or later)
- macOS 14 Sonoma or later
iPad
- 26 models available during setup
- From iPad mini to iPad Pro 13″
Show all models
- iPad Pro 13″ (M5)
- iPad Pro 13″ (M4)
- iPad Pro 11″ (M5)
- iPad Pro 11″ (M4)
- iPad Pro 11″ (1st generation)
- iPad Pro 11″ (2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 11″ (3rd generation)
- iPad Pro 11″ (4th generation)
- iPad Air 13″ (M4)
- iPad Air 13″ (M3)
- iPad Air 13″ (M2)
- iPad Pro 12.9″ (1st generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9″ (2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9″ (3rd generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9″ (4th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9″ (5th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9″ (6th generation)
- iPad Air 11″ (M4)
- iPad Air 11″ (M3)
- iPad Air 11″ (M2)
- iPad Air (4th generation)
- iPad Air (5th generation)
- iPad (10th generation)
- iPad (A16)
- iPad mini (6th generation)
- iPad mini (A17 Pro)
Remote desktop app
- A client on iPad and Mac that shows your Mac’s screen
- Not included – use the one you already have
Good to know
- During a session, all connected Mac displays show the same desktop. It does not create a separate extended screen.
- PadTailor doesn’t detect your iPad – you choose the model once yourself.
- Landscape, SDR and 60 Hz. Portrait and HDR are not part of version 1.
- PadTailor doesn’t connect or stream anything – your remote desktop app does that.
Pricing
A one-time purchase for PadTailor 1.
Trial
Free
14 days
- Every feature
- No account, no payment details
- Try it with your remote app and iPad
License
One-time purchase
No subscription
- Version 1 including all 1.x updates
- Use it on all your own Macs
- No subscription. Works offline once activated.
Payment is handled by Lemon Squeezy. Your license key arrives by email right after purchase. The remote desktop app is not included.
Guides
Guides for your setup
Remote desktop from iPad to Mac, step by step – useful even without PadTailor.
Using an iPad as a Mac display: Sidecar, remote desktop or PadTailor?
The ways to get your Mac desktop onto an iPad – Sidecar, remote desktop apps and PadTailor compared, with their pros and cons.
Set up your Mac for remote access from an iPad
How to prepare your Mac for remote desktop from an iPad: Screen Sharing, permissions, sleep, network and security – step by step.
Set up a remote desktop app on your iPad: VNC, Jump Desktop, Screens and more
Which remote desktop apps exist for iPad, how to connect to your Mac and which settings make working comfortable.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I also need a remote desktop app?
Yes. PadTailor only prepares your desktop at the right size. A separate remote desktop client on both devices connects your iPad to your Mac – its license isn’t included. Try your combination during the 14 days.
Does PadTailor detect my iPad?
No. You choose model and generation once during setup. If you’re unsure, use the “Identify your iPad” link there.
What happens to my other displays?
While iPad display is on, all connected Mac displays show the same desktop in your iPad’s shape. Switching off restores resolution and arrangement.
Does PadTailor run on Intel Macs?
No. Version 1 is for Macs with Apple silicon (M1 and later) running macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Is there an iPad app?
No. PadTailor is a Mac app, installed from a disk image (DMG) on your Mac. Your remote desktop app runs on the iPad.
What happens after 14 days?
A running session continues, and you can restore your displays at any time. To start a new session you’ll need a license.
How do I activate my license?
After purchase you’ll get a license key by email. In PadTailor, open Settings → License, paste it and choose “Activate license”. Lost it? Find it again via Lemon Squeezy’s “My Orders”.
On how many Macs can I use PadTailor?
On your own Macs, with no artificial activation limit. The license covers version 1 including all 1.x updates.
Something’s stuck. What should I do?
Switch iPad display off to restore your displays. If restoration fails, keep PadTailor open and use the retry action it offers. You can export local diagnostics under Settings → Help & About. Review them before sharing and email me with a description of what happened.
Another question? Email hello@derremo.de
Try it on your iPad.
14 days, every feature, no account.