Setting Up Astropad Studio
Astropad Studio is designed to mirror your computer screen to your iPad for touch functionality. Astropad Studio works with a variety of macOS and Windows apps and is optimized for drawing or writing with the Apple Pencil. You can also use your finger along with an Apple Pencil.
The computer and iPad can be connected by either USB cable or wirelessly with Wi-Fi.
In This Article:
Setup For Mac
Setup For Windows
USB and Wireless Connection
Astropad Studio Overview
Setup For Mac
Download the Astropad Studio iPad app
The Astropad Studio iPad app can be downloaded on your iPad through the Apple App Store. You can sign up for an Astropad Studio subscription using your Apple ID or through our website.
Download the Astropad Studio Mac app
After downloading the iPad app, go to the Astropad Studio downloads page to download and install the free Mac companion app.
Open the .dmg file and save the Mac app in Applications or your preferred download location.
*For convenience, you can keep the Mac App in your dock. Click and hold on the Astropad icon, and go up to “Options”, then select “Keep in Dock”.
Open the Astropad Studio Mac app and the Astropad Studio iPad app
Open the Astropad Studio Mac app and click Setup. If you already have an Astropad Studio account, tap Log In below the Get Started button on the iPad. If you have not signed up yet, tap Get Started. You can set up your Astropad Studio account and subscription in-app using your Apple ID or through our website.
If you are running macOS Mojave 10.14 or newer
You will need to enable Accessibility to use Astropad Studio in macOS Mojave 10.14 or newer. There will be a message that prompts during initial setup with steps to Enable Accessibility from your Mac’s Systems Preferences.
You can also activate this manually by going to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy tab. Select Accessibility in the left side menu, then check the box next to Astropad Studio's icon. If Astropad Studio’s icon is not available, click the “+” button to directly add the app.
If you experience no pressure sensitivity with drawing or input, you may need to check whether the accompanied creative software in use requires this or similar permissions under the Privacy tab.
If you are running macOS Catalina 10.15or newer
Along with enabling Accessibility in macOS Catalina, Screen Recording also needs to be enabled to allow Astropad Studio to access the contents on your screen. Astropad Studio does not record the contents of your screen.
There will be a message that prompts during initial setup, with steps to enable this from your Mac’s Systems Preferences.
Setup for Windows
Download the Astropad Studio iPad app
The Astropad Studio iPad app can be downloaded on your iPad through the Apple App Store. You can sign up for an Astropad Studio subscription using your Apple ID or through our website.
Download the Astropad Studio Windows app
After downloading the iPad app, go to the Astropad Studio downloads page to download and install the free Windows companion app.
Open the .exe file and save the Windows app in your preferred download location.
*For convenience, you can keep the Windows App in your start menu or taskbar. Right-click the Astropad icon, and select either "Pin to Start" or "Pin to Taskbar".
Open the Astropad Studio Windows app and the Astropad Studio iPad app
Open the Astropad Studio Windows app and click Setup. If you already have an Astropad Studio account, tap Log In below the Get Started button on the iPad. If you have not signed up yet, tap Get Started. You can set up your Astropad Studio account and subscription in-app using your Apple ID or through our website.
USB and Wireless Connection
To use Astropad Studio, your Mac and iPad need to be connected by either USB or Wi-Fi connection.
To connect by USB:
Using your iPad's corresponding USB cable (30-pin to USB, or Lightning to USB), connect your iPad to your computer.
To connect by Wi-Fi:
Make sure both your computer and iPad are on the same wireless network. If both your Mac and iPad are on the same network with a good signal, they should connect automatically.
– Try Manual Wi-Fi Connection if you’re unable to connect automatically.
At the connection screen, click “Connect info” and a new window will be shown with connection options. Click “Wi-Fi Manual Connect", and a QR code will open on your Mac’s screen for your iPad to scan.
Take your iPad, making sure the Camera is “Enabled” for Astropad Studio, and allow it to scan the QR code. It will disappear entirely once you’re connected.