Launching SideCar Under Catalina Disables Airplay Video

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Level 1

29 points

Launching SideCar Under Catalina Disables Airplay Video

Since configuring and successfully using SideCar for the first time, I am no longer able to AirPlay Mirror my Mac Screen to TVs via Apple TV. When activating AirPlay, the TV screen goes blank but my MacBook Pro thinks it is connected. When I disable the connection, TV screen shows Apple TV (ATV) home-screen as usual.

Once this behavior begins, I try to go back and use SideCar again but instead of getting the Mac screen on it, I get same blank screen that I've been getting from the TVs. Only rebooting my machine seems to reset the screen streaming system - for 1 or 2 more times, but then the blank-screen-AirPlay behavior returns.

Crazily, I accidentally tried to AirPlay to ATV while having an external monitor physically connected, then suddenly my laptop screen displayed on both devices - TV and monitor. I disconnected the monitor and the TV screen display remained visible. So, this is my current workaround:

1.) Initiate ATV AirPlay

2.) With blank TV screen, plug external monitor into MacBook Pro

3.) Once both show laptop screen, disconnect the monitor cable

OR

reboot laptop before each time I want to AirPlay or SideCar

APPLE - Need you to GET ON A FIX for this right away !

My equipment Specs are:

MacBook Pro 15" - From Fall 2016 running macOS Catalina
iPad Pro 12.9" 3rd generation - running iOS 13.1.2
Apple TV 4th Generation - running tvOS 13.0
Apple TV 3rd Generation - running latest tvOS supported
MacBook Connection to iPad For SideCard - wireless or wired yield same results

Posted on Oct 11, 2019 11:07 AM

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Answer 1

rose_10

Community Specialist

Oct 16, 2019 10:33 AM in response to Free-Dawg

Hello Free-Dawg,

Thanks for posting to the Apple Support Communities. From what I understand, Sidecar is working but prevents AirPlay from working with other devices unless you restart or use the workaround you mentioned. I would like to help get this resolved without resorting to the workaround.

Here are some suggestions that can help:

Try these general steps first except any you've already taking yourself: If AirPlay or screen mirroring isn’t working on your device
Restart both the TV and the MacBook Pro.
Turn Handoff and Bluetooth off then back on with the MacBook Pro and the iPad: Use Handoff to continue a task on your other devices
Reset the user permissions form this link here: Resolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder
To narrow it down, try a new user as well: How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac - Apple Support
- If it only happens in your user, try removing login items: Open items automatically when you log in on Mac

If you're still having issues, Contact Apple Support

Thanks and have a great day.

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Answer 2

Free-Dawg Author

Level 1

29 points

Oct 23, 2019 8:23 PM in response to rose_10

After the macOS Catalina Supplemental Update was recently applied, it appears that the problems I described earlier have been resolved. Still testing to verify but it looks like issues have been cleared up.

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Answer 3

Free-Dawg Author

Level 1

29 points

Oct 23, 2019 8:24 PM in response to Free-Dawg

After the macOS Catalina Supplemental Update was recently applied, it appears that the problems I described earlier have been resolved. Still testing to verify but it looks like issues have been cleared up.

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Launching SideCar Under Catalina Disables Airplay Video

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