Connection Methods - Astropad Slate
Slate Connection Methods
There are three ways to connect your Mac and iPad to use Astropad Slate:
- Wi-Fi connection
- Peer-to-Peer connection
- USB cable connection
Below, you'll find an overview of each connection method and how to set them up.
Wi-Fi Connection
Wi-Fi lets your devices connect automatically without cables. It's flexible but may have more latency depending on your environment.
For best Wi-Fi performance:
- Use a modern router (802.11ac).
- Connect to the 5GHz band when possible.
- Move closer to your router or reposition it for a stronger signal.
If performance slows unexpectedly, try rebooting your router and both devices.
How to set up Wi-Fi connection
- Make sure both your Mac and iPad are connected to the same 5GHz Wi-Fi network.
- Open Astropad Slate on both devices.
- Tap Connect... on the top right of the iPad app.
- Select Wi-Fi as your connection method.
- Your devices should automatically connect.
- You’ll see a Wi-Fi symbol in the top right corner when connected.
Peer-to-Peer Connection
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) connects your devices directly without a router. Wi-Fi must be enabled on both devices, but they do not need to be on a network.
Requirements:
- Mac: macOS 10.15 or later
- iPad: iPadOS 13 or later
How to set up Peer-to-Peer connection
- Enable Wi-Fi on both Mac and iPad (no need to connect to a network).
- Open Astropad Slate on both devices.
- Tap Connect... on the top right of the iPad app.
- Select Peer-to-Peer as your connection method.
- Your devices should automatically connect.
- You’ll see a Peer-to-Peer symbol in the top right corner when connected.
USB Cable Connection
USB connections provide a wired, stable connection, reducing interference and lag. Not all USB cables work—your cable must support data transfer.
How to set up USB connection
- Connect a data-capable USB cable between your Mac and iPad.
- Open Astropad Slate on both devices.
- Your devices should automatically connect via USB.
- You’ll see a USB symbol in the top right corner when connected.