Mirror or extend
Choose the display and mode in the assistant. Allow Screen Recording and Accessibility on Mac, and Local Network access on both devices. If the picture remains blank after granting access, quit and reopen the assistant.
DISPLAY ASSISTANT · START HERE
A second screen, on your iPad
Sign in and export a signed IPA from the desktop assistant, then install it with i4Tools or Apple Configurator. External software handles the first installation; the assistant handles subsequent renewal.
For Apple Silicon Mac · macOS 14 or later
01 / Install on both devices
Before you start: prepare an external installer
Prepare i4Tools or Apple Configurator first, connect and unlock iPad, and confirm it appears there before signing in and exporting a signed IPA. Mac uses built-in Apple device support. If discovery fails, the assistant stops export with an explanatory dialog.
Download i4Tools (official) · Download Apple Configurator (Apple App Store)
Installing an external tool does not guarantee readiness. Confirm discovery in both tools. Error dialogs show the failed step and guidance; Send to developer submits sanitized diagnostics without your account, password or verification code.
1
Download and open Xianhong Display Assistant
Choose the Mac ZIP on the download page, fully extract it and open Xianhong Display Assistant.app. The tablet app and guide are included.
Go to downloads →First launch on Mac: developer cannot be verified
The current Mac release is not Developer ID signed or notarized by Apple, so you may see this alert on first launch. Continue only if the file came from www.xhongsoft.com, you trust the source and it has not been tampered with:
- Extract the ZIP and double-click Xianhong Display Assistant.app. Dismiss the alert if it appears.
- Open System Settings → Privacy & Security. Scroll to the blocked Xianhong Display Assistant and click Open Anyway.
- Check the app name again, click Open and authenticate if requested. Subsequent launches normally open directly.
If macOS reports malware, that the app will damage your computer, or that it is damaged, stop and contact website support. Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions are configured separately after launch. Apple instructions
2
Sign in and export a signed IPA
Sign in to your Apple Account in iPad Installation & Renewal, complete verification and select the signing identity. Your password is handled by the local signing tool and is not sent to Xianhong servers. Keep the same account for later updates and renewal.
Connect and unlock iPad as before, trust this computer when prompted, and select the detected target device in the assistant. The assistant reads device information automatically; no manual identifiers are needed.
Choose Export signed IPA, select a save location and wait for signing and validation to finish. The package is already signed for the target iPad. Export success does not mean the app has been installed.
3
Complete the first installation with external software
Connect and unlock the target iPad by USB and tap Trust when prompted. In i4Tools, use its local IPA installation option to install the signed .ipa you just exported; menu names vary by version. Keep the existing signature rather than signing again with another Apple Account.
Download i4Tools (official) Choose Windows, or the Intel / Apple silicon build for your Mac. Older Mac compatibility depends on its OS. The current Xianhong Mac assistant requires Apple silicon and macOS 14 or later.
On Mac, you can also use Apple Configurator: select the connected iPad, choose Add → Apps → Choose from my Mac, then select the exported IPA. Check the App Store OS requirements before downloading. Download Apple Configurator (Apple App Store)
After installation, open Xianhong Display Assistant on iPad. Follow iPad system prompts for developer trust or Developer Mode if required. This workflow uses the same signed-package process regardless of jailbreak status.
4
Verify installation and set up Wi-Fi renewal
Keep USB connected for initial setup and trust the computer that will renew the app. Refresh in the assistant to confirm the installed app and expiry, then enable wireless installation and renewal. If detection still fails, enable Wi-Fi connectivity using Apple device-management software and refresh. Display streaming alone does not prove renewal connectivity.
Join the same local network, unplug USB and refresh. Confirm that the assistant can still read the device and installed app wirelessly before enabling automatic renewal. Keep the computer, assistant and renewal service running, with a valid Apple sign-in. Windows still requires working Apple device services; external first installation does not replace them.
Free signing usually lasts seven days; use the expiry verified from the installed profile. Automatic renewal attempts one day before expiry and reinstalls the renewed app over Wi-Fi, briefly interrupting it. Unavailable devices wait for retry; failure dialogs allow sanitized diagnostic submission.
02 / Make your first connection
1
Open the iPad app
Keep both apps open. If iPad asks for developer trust or Developer Mode, follow its system instructions and reopen the app.
2
Choose local Wi-Fi or USB
For Wi-Fi, join the same local network and allow local network access. For USB, keep the data cable connected and trust the computer. Guest Wi-Fi may prevent devices from discovering each other.
3
Discover the tablet or enter its IP
Select the discovered tablet. If discovery fails, read its current IPv4 address in iPad Settings → Wi-Fi details and enter it in Connect by IP. Recheck the address after changing networks.
03 / Set up your workspace
Touch, keyboard and audio
Use More on iPad for mode, aspect ratio and keyboard; turn Speaker on in Audio at the top. Touch control requires input permissions on the computer; on Mac, allow Accessibility when prompted. Test a tap and a drag first.
04 / Troubleshooting
iPad app expired or will not open
Refresh and renew using paired Wi-Fi. If unavailable, connect and unlock iPad by USB. If adoption still fails, export another IPA signed with the same account and install over the existing app externally. Complete Apple authentication if prompted.
Tablet appears but will not connect
Keep both apps open, check for a changed iPad IP and allow firewall and local network access. Try a regular home Wi-Fi network. Mac also supports USB display streaming; Windows USB is only for installation and trust.
Blank screen, no audio or touch
Check the selected display, then screen recording and input permissions, plus the Speaker switch in Audio at the top of iPad. Reopen the assistant after changing permissions.
Mac disconnects when the lid closes
Closing the lid may put your Mac to sleep. Start with the lid open. For closed-lid use, configure a tool such as Amphetamine and check its lid settings. Continuous closed-lid operation is not guaranteed on every Mac.