Set Up iPad-to-Mac Trust for Zoom Screen Sharing

Questions

  • How do I share my iPad screen in Zoom from my Mac?
  • Zoom is asking me to establish trust between my iPad and Mac — what do I do?
  • How do I connect my iPad to my Mac to share its screen via cable in Zoom?
  • My iPad isn't showing up in Zoom's screen sharing options — how do I fix it?
  • What does "Trust This Computer?" mean on my iPad?
  • How do I use the "iPhone/iPad via Cable" sharing option in Zoom?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin faculty, staff, and students sharing an iPad screen through Zoom using a USB cable connection. This method is useful in classrooms and meetings where you want to display apps, drawings, or documents from your iPad in a Zoom session running on your Mac.

Requirements:

  • Mac running macOS Sequoia (15.x) or later
  • iPad with a current version of iPadOS
  • A USB cable (Lightning-to-USB or USB-C-to-USB-C depending on your iPad model)
  • Zoom desktop app installed on the Mac
Cable vs AirPlay: Zoom also supports sharing your iPad screen wirelessly via AirPlay, which does not require trust setup. This article covers the cable method. For AirPlay, both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network — select iPhone/iPad via AirPlay when starting a screen share in Zoom instead.

Resolution

Step 1: Connect Your iPad and Establish Trust

The first time you connect your iPad to a Mac, macOS will prompt both devices to confirm the connection. This one-time setup is required before Zoom can detect your iPad as a sharing source.

  1. Connect your iPad to your Mac using a USB cable.
  2. Open a Finder window on your Mac.
  3. In the left navigation panel, look under Locations. Your iPad should appear there by name or serial number. Click it.
    iPad 'Trust This Computer?' prompt displayed beside a Mac Finder window showing a trust request for the connected iPad.
  4. Finder will prompt you to trust the iPad. Click Trust on your Mac.
  5. A Trust This Computer? prompt will appear on your iPad. Tap Trust, then enter your iPad passcode.
Already connected before? If you have previously trusted this iPad on this Mac, the trust prompt will not appear again. Proceed directly to Step 2.

Step 2: Share Your iPad Screen in Zoom

  1. Keep the iPad connected via USB cable.
  2. In your Zoom meeting on the Mac, click Share Screen in the toolbar.
  3. Select iPhone/iPad via Cable from the list of sharing options.
  4. Click Share. Your iPad's screen will be displayed in the Zoom meeting for all participants.
  5. Switch to the app on your iPad that you want to show. Whatever is visible on the iPad screen will appear in the meeting.
  6. To stop sharing, click Stop Share in the Zoom toolbar on your Mac.
iPad not appearing in the list? Try unplugging and reconnecting the cable, or open Finder and confirm the iPad is visible under Locations. If Finder does not detect the iPad, try a different cable — not all USB cables support data transfer.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
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