Apple has added direct touch input to Sidecar with macOS 27 Golden Gate and iPadOS 27, enabling users to tap and interact with macOS interface elements using a finger on their iPad.
New Direct Touch Capability
Previously, Sidecar supported only multi-touch gestures (two-finger scrolling, pinch-to-zoom, three-finger editing) while tapping to click links or open apps required a mouse, trackpad, or Apple Pencil.
The new Direct Touch capability allows tapping, swiping, and other interactions with macOS apps on iPad using a finger. Apple Pencil support continues alongside the new touch capabilities.
System Requirements
- An Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 27 Golden Gate
- A compatible iPad running iPadOS 27
- Both devices signed into the same Apple ID
- Both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network
- Bluetooth enabled
- Devices within 10 meters of each other
Industry Implications
The expanded Sidecar functionality is seen as an indication of impending touch support on the Mac, alongside other features like pull-to-refresh. Apple is reportedly planning to launch a "MacBook Ultra" with a touchscreen OLED display, an M6-series chip, the Dynamic Island, and a thinner design, scheduled for early 2027.