Apple has introduced a significant upgrade to Sidecar in macOS 27 Golden Gate and iPadOS 27, allowing users to interact with Mac apps directly through touch on an iPad for the first time. The change brings a more natural experience when using an iPad as a secondary display for a Mac.
Until now, Sidecar supported several gestures, including scrolling, zooming, and editing actions, but direct touch interaction with macOS interface elements was not available. Users typically needed an Apple Pencil, trackpad, or mouse to click buttons, open applications, and navigate the operating system.
With the new update, users can tap, swipe, and interact with macOS apps directly using their fingers on the iPad screen. Apple Pencil support remains available, giving users multiple ways to control their Mac while using Sidecar. The enhancement makes Apple’s solution more comparable to third-party tools that have offered similar touch-based functionality in the past.
The feature requires an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 27 Golden Gate along with a compatible iPad powered by iPadOS 27. As with previous versions of Sidecar, both devices must be connected to the same Apple ID, have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled, and remain within close range of each other.
The addition of Direct Touch has also sparked discussion among Apple enthusiasts about the future of touchscreen Macs. Many users view the feature as another step toward broader touch support across Apple’s Mac lineup, although the company has not officially announced such plans. Community reactions suggest that the update is being seen as a meaningful improvement for productivity and creative workflows.
The latest Sidecar enhancement is part of Apple’s broader macOS 27 update, which introduces several interface and usability improvements designed to make interactions across Apple devices more seamless and efficient.
