What Is Mobile Display?

Mobile Display is a UVC (USB Video Class) monitor app that lets you use your iPad as a secondary display for game consoles such as the Nintendo Switch, DSLR cameras, and PCs. Because HDMI video is received over a USB cable via a UVC-compatible capture board, the display is far less affected by the lag and quality loss typical of wireless connections, letting you make stable use of the iPad's high-resolution screen.

Typical Situations

Playing games where there is no TV

Route the HDMI output from your console's dock to the iPad and use it as a gaming monitor in the bedroom or on the go. It also works well where space for a large monitor is limited.

The camera's small rear monitor is hard to check

View your DSLR or mirrorless camera's image on the iPad's large screen to check focus, composition, and expressions—especially useful for low- or high-angle shots where the camera's own screen is hard to see.

Keeping an eye on your live stream

Use the iPad as a dedicated confirmation monitor showing your streaming software's preview or the comment feed, separate from your main PC screen.

Main Features

Flexible layout: Pinch to zoom and swipe to reposition the image intuitively.
Detailed image settings: Adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation; rotate or flip the image; and fine-tune the aspect ratio so the picture fits the screen.
Profile saving: Save settings per use case—"gaming," "camera check," and so on—and switch between them instantly.
Display settings lock: Freeze position, zoom, rotation, and other adjustments to prevent accidental touches from shifting the image during a presentation or live broadcast. The lock state is saved per profile, and gestures are automatically disabled when no video is connected.

How to Use

1. Prepare a UVC-compatible capture board (an adapter that converts HDMI video to a USB signal).
2. Plug the HDMI cable from the source device (console, camera, PC, etc.) into the capture board, and connect its USB end to the iPad's USB-C port.
3. Launch Mobile Display on the iPad and the video appears. Then simply adjust the layout and colors to your liking.

FAQ and Notes

Will any capture board work?

You need a capture board that conforms to the UVC standard, which the iPad can recognize without special drivers. For long sessions, consider a pass-through power model that charges the iPad while displaying video.

Is there any latency?

The wired connection keeps the display stable with low latency. However, in genres demanding extremely fast reactions, such as fighting games, even slight latency may matter. Try it with your own use case—video checking, RPGs, and similar uses work well.

Pricing and supported devices

The app itself is a free download on the App Store. In-app purchases include a one-time ad-removal purchase (JPY 300) and an expansion of the number of saved profiles. It supports iPad running iPadOS 17.0 or later: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (4th generation and later), iPad (10th generation and later), and iPad mini (6th generation and later).

Background

Wireless solutions for using an iPad as a secondary display have long existed, but for video production and gaming, the slight lag and resolution loss inherent to wireless were persistent problems. Mobile Display pursues practicality beyond merely "showing a picture" through wired UVC connection on iPadOS, adding features like the display settings lock that address real anxieties in the field. The goal is a tool you can rely on in shooting, streaming, and presentation settings—not just an app that mirrors video.