Using the iPad as a PC repeater screen

Tutorial: Using the iPad as a repeater screen for a PC

Many applications allow access to a PC via a local network or remotely, such as Splashtop and Teamviewer. However, they are often ineffective without a local router. This tutorial explains how to connect an iPad to a PC without any local network, whether on a boat, in a 4x4, etc.

Important: this tutorial is intended only for installations without a Wi-Fi router. If you have a Wi-Fi router, it is advisable to consult this other tutorial. It is recommended to print this page before you begin! You will need to disconnect from the internet to follow the instructions in this tutorial.

A. What you need:

  • an iPad (any model)
  • a PC with Windows.
  • a WiFi USB key*

* You can initially try with the internal WiFi card of your laptop, but often the Ad-Hoc connection of internal WiFi cards does not work properly.

B. Pre-configuration

  • Install your WiFi USB key on the PC by following the installation procedure provided by the manufacturer
  • Install the following free applications from the App Store on the iPad: "Mocha VNC"
  • Install TightVNC (free) on the PC
  • Launch TightVNC Server, enter the requested password and click OK

C. Connection:

Step 1: On the PC, create an Ad-hoc connection

With Windows 7:

  • open the "Network and Sharing Center" and click on "Set up a new connection or network"
  • click at the bottom of the list on "Set up a wireless ad-hoc (computer-to-computer) network"
  • be sure to choose the USB WiFi as the "connection"
  • on the next screen, give a network name (for example "Test1") and set security type = "no authentication" (you can later retest with a higher security level if you wish)
  • click next to get confirmation of the network creation.

With Windows 8, 10 & 11:

Unfortunately, ad-hoc connections have been removed from these operating systems. However, there are many tutorials to work around this limitation. An ad-hoc connection is essential in the absence of a router. If this seems too technical to you, you will need to purchase and install a small onboard router that will serve as a Wi-Fi relay - see our tutorial "Replicate the screen of an iPad on PC or TV and vice versa".)

Step 2: Connect the iPad to the Ad-Hoc network

On the iPad, open Settings > WiFi. You should see the network "Test1" appear.

Select this network and WAIT AT LEAST ONE MINUTE. Tap on the small blue circle to the right of the network and check the IP address. After one minute, a new address must appear as 169.254.X.X. Do not proceed until this address appears.

Note: if you encounter connection problems after following this tutorial, you can enter a static IP address at this stage. After tapping the small blue circle as mentioned above, select Static, and enter the IP address of your choice (e.g., 169.254.1.1 - just make sure it is different from that of the PC) and the subnet mask 255.255.255.0. Then follow the rest of the tutorial

Step 3: Attach the iPad to the PC

On the PC, look for the TightVNC Server icon at the bottom right of your screen.

Right-click and click on "Attach listening Viewer" and enter the IP address of the iPad in this window. Hovering over the icon with the mouse displays a "tooltip" with the IP address to use to connect to the server.

Step 4. Start the connection

Connect your iPad to the "ad-hoc" network of your PC via Wi-Fi, or connect the PC and iPad to the Wi-Fi access point. Launch the Mocha VNC application.

Tap on Configure > New and enter:

  • VNC server address: the IP address read from the Tight VNC icon
  • VNC server port: 5900 by default

Go back and then Connect and tap the connection that was just created

A window opens: enter the password set on the PC in TightVNC and click

You're in, you should see your PC's screen appear! Magical, right?

D. Display Controls

You have several controls:

  • Short tap = left mouse click
  • Long tap = move the window
  • To scroll the window up and down, there is no equivalent to the mouse wheel: you need to use the scrollbars on the right
  • The menu allows you to bring up in order the keyboard, a VNC menu, an "enter" function, screen alignment at the bottom left, and finally a lock that allows you to freeze the screen (very useful in case of rain)
  • To exit the application: VNC Menu > disconnect and for safety right-click on the TightVNC icon > "disconnect all Viewers"

Note on antivirus and firewalls: Depending on the settings you have implemented on your PC, you may need to disconnect your firewall or antivirus to allow an ad-hoc connection. But this is not mandatory: during this test, it worked very well with "ZoneAlarm" as the firewall and "Avast" as the antivirus.