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johannes_42
Participant
December 20, 2024
Answered

Does HDR editing work with 13" M4 iPad Pro in sidecar mode?

  • December 20, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 1289 views

Does the 13" M4 iPad Pro work as an HDR screen for the Develop module of Lightroom Classic when used in the sidecar mode with an Apple Silicon Mac (M1 Mac mini in my case) when the non-sidecar screen is an SDR screen (Studio Display in my case)?

If it works as an HDR screen, how many stops of HDR can it do? Does the iPad Pro have to be in Reference Mode?

Correct answer Rikk Flohr_Photography

I've tested an M4 iPad Pro in Reference Mode, and it does view HDRs correctly when used via Side Car. If you disable Reference mode, the image returns to SDR. 

2 replies

M
miric
Participating Frequently
July 20, 2025

Has anyone been able to edit a RAW photo in the latest Lightroom Classic using a sidecar iPad Pro M4?

I connect the 11” iPad Pro M4 to my Mac mini via USB-C and use it as a Sidecar display in Reference Mode (Extended Display). I launch the latest Adobe Lightroom Classic and open a RAW photo for editing. I enable the second display with the options “Full Screen” and “Loupe - Normal.”

I can see the changes on both displays as I adjust the photo settings. However, HDR is not visible on the iPad. Google Chrome passes HDR tests from https://gregbenzphotography.com/hdr/, I can view HDR photos in Apple Photos opened on iPad display but it does not work with Lightroom.

J
Community Expert
Jao vdLCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 21, 2024

Last time I tried with my mini (which has HDR capable screen) it did not do HDR on the sidecar screen. That's a while ago so this might have changed and Apple might enable different modes for the iPad Pro. 

J
johannes_42Author
Participant
February 9, 2025

Was that with an M4 iPad Pro, specifically?

 

I suspect that if HDR works in sidecar at all, it probably requires the M4 iPad Pro to be in reference mode. Has anyone here tried that specifically?

Rikk Flohr_Photography
Community Manager
Rikk Flohr_PhotographyCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
February 10, 2025

I've tested an M4 iPad Pro in Reference Mode, and it does view HDRs correctly when used via Side Car. If you disable Reference mode, the image returns to SDR. 

Rikk Flohr: Adobe Photography Org
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