Turning an iPad into a second screen for your laptop is one of the easiest upgrades you can make to a work-from-anywhere setup: it's a display you probably already own, it's sharp, and with Apple's free built-in Sidecar (or a paid app like Duet Display if you're on Windows) it just works over a cable or Wi-Fi. The part nobody solves well is where the iPad actually sits. Propped against a laptop lid or leaning on a case's folded-back cover, it ends up low, wobbly, and at a bad angle for hours of real use.
That's what Flexsta fixes. It's a 225g magnetic portable monitor stand that raises a screen up to 39cm and packs down to 22cm for a bag. It was built for portable monitors, but the same magnetic mount works just as well for an iPad. Below: which iPads fit, how to set it up, and how it compares to dedicated iPad stands.
Which iPad Models Work With Flexsta?
Flexsta comfortably holds up to about 900g (2 lb), and every current iPad, even a 13" Pro in a hard case, sits well under that. So the honest answer is: all of them.
| Model | Screen Size | Weight (device only) | With a hard case (approx) | Compatible? |
| iPad mini | 8.3" | ~295g (0.65 lbs) | ~380g (0.84 lbs) | ✅ Yes |
| iPad (standard) | 11" | ~480g (1.06 lbs) | ~600g (1.32 lbs) | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Air 11" | 11" | ~460g (1.01 lbs) | ~580g (1.28 lbs) | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Air 13" | 13" | ~620g (1.37 lbs) | ~760g (1.68 lbs) | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Pro 11" | 11" | ~445g (0.98 lbs) | ~565g (1.25 lbs) | ✅ Yes |
| iPad Pro 13" | 13" | ~580g (1.28 lbs) | ~720g (1.59 lbs) | ✅ Yes |
Weights are approximate and vary by generation and case, so add up your own iPad plus case if you're curious. As long as the total stays under about 900g you're fine, and every model above clears that easily.
There's one catch that has nothing to do with weight: your case. More on that below.
Ready to set your iPad up as a second screen? Grab a Flexsta here
How to Set Up Your iPad With Flexsta
The first fit takes a few minutes; after that it's seconds each time.
Step 1: Check your case, then stick on the metal plate
This is the one place an iPad is different from a portable monitor: the metal attachment plate (included in the box) needs a firm, flat surface to bond to. A hard-shell case works well, and so does a bare iPad if you're comfortable with that. A soft, silicone or TPU case won't hold the plate properly, the surface flexes and the adhesive can't grip, so switch to a hard case first or stick the plate to the bare device instead.
Already have a case with a magnetic ring built in? If it's a genuine MagSafe-style ring centred on the back of a hard case, Flexsta's magnet may grab it directly with no plate needed. Magnetic case layouts vary a lot though, many put magnets in the corners or use their own mounting systems, so test the hold at a low height before trusting it fully extended. When in doubt, stick the included plate on: that's the setup we've tested.
Wipe the surface with the supplied cleaning wipe, dry it, and stick the plate in the centre of the back so you can rotate between landscape and portrait. Leave it about 15 minutes to bond before the first mount.
Step 2: Pull the stand to height
Hold the legs and pull the magnetic head away from them to extend the stand. Aim for the top of the iPad sitting roughly level with your eyes, usually around 20 to 25cm of lift depending on your desk and chair.
Step 3: Snap it on
Hold the iPad so the plate lines up with the magnet and they'll snap together. It holds firmly enough to stay put while you tap and scroll, and pulls off cleanly when you're done.
Step 4: Turn it into a second screen
If you're on a Mac, Apple's built-in Sidecar turns your mounted iPad into an extended display in a couple of taps, no extra software needed, and it works over a cable or completely wirelessly. One tip: make sure both devices are signed in to the same Apple ID with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched on. That fixes almost every "my iPad isn't showing up" moment. On Windows, an app like Duet Display does the same job over USB or Wi-Fi, or there's Luna Display, a small adapter that plugs into your PC. Either way, the physical setup on Flexsta is identical, only the software differs. We'll cover picking between an iPad-as-second-screen and a dedicated portable monitor in a separate post.
Ready to elevate your setup? Get Flexsta here
Flexsta vs Dedicated iPad Stands
There's a small category of stands built specifically for propping an iPad up as a second screen (Mountie-style laptop-lid clips, folding desk stands like the Saiji). Worth knowing where each one wins:
| Feature | Laptop-clip stands (e.g. Mountie) | Folding desk stands (e.g. Saiji) | Flexsta |
| Weight | ~10g | ~300–400g | 225g |
| Packs down for travel | ✅ Very small | ✅ Folds flat | ✅ Collapses to 22cm |
| Raises to eye level | ❌ Clips to laptop lid height only | ✅ Adjustable, desk-based | ✅ Up to 39cm |
| Works without a laptop nearby | ❌ Needs a laptop lid to clip to | ✅ Freestanding | ✅ Freestanding |
| Attachment | Grips the iPad's edge, no adhesive | Case rests in a cradle | Magnetic plate, permanent once stuck |
| Best for | Right next to your laptop screen for Sidecar | A permanent desk setup | Eye-level wherever you work, and doubles as your portable monitor stand |
A laptop-clip stand like Mountie is genuinely great if your only goal is sitting the iPad right beside your laptop screen for Sidecar, it's light, cheap, and needs no adhesive. Where Flexsta wins is height and flexibility: it lifts the screen to actual eye level rather than laptop-lid height, it works freestanding on any desk (or a hotel table with no laptop lid to clip to), and if you already own one for a portable monitor, it's zero extra cost or bag space to also use it for your iPad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Flexsta work with my iPad? Yes, every current iPad model (mini through 13" Pro) is comfortably under the 900g limit, with or without a case.
Does my case matter? Yes, this is the one real requirement. The plate needs a hard, flat surface: a hard-shell case or the bare iPad both work. A soft silicone or TPU case won't hold it properly. If your case has a genuine MagSafe-style ring centred on the back, it may work without the plate, but test the hold at a low height first; the included plate is the setup we've tested.
Does the plate damage the iPad or case? No. It uses removable 3M adhesive that peels off cleanly without residue.
Do I need a Mac to use my iPad as a second screen? No. Sidecar is the easiest option if you're on a Mac, but Windows users can do the same thing with an app like Duet Display over USB or Wi-Fi, or with Luna Display, a small adapter that plugs into your PC. Flexsta's setup is identical either way.
Can I use my iPad in portrait with Flexsta? Yes. Stick the plate in the centre of the back and you can spin between landscape and portrait freely. One software note for Mac users: Sidecar only shows a portrait picture on recent software (macOS Sequoia 15.1 and iPadOS 18.1 or later). On older versions the second-screen picture stays landscape even when the iPad is upright.
Should I just buy a dedicated iPad stand instead? If you only ever want the iPad clipped right beside your laptop screen, a stand like Mountie is a fine cheap option. If you want the screen at real eye level, want it freestanding on any desk, or already own a Flexsta for a portable monitor, Flexsta does the job with nothing extra to buy or carry.
Curious whether an iPad or a dedicated portable monitor is the better second screen for you? We're working on a full comparison. In the meantime, take a look at our lightest portable monitors of 2026 roundup, or the full Flexsta compatibility guide for everything else Flexsta works with.