Use an iPad as an FMC in MSFS 2020: connect a compatible remote CDU, set up the PC bridge, and fix Wi-Fi, firewall and blank-screen faults.
To use an iPad as an FMC with MSFS 2020, the aircraft must support a remote CDU or MCDU. Run its companion bridge on the simulator PC, connect the iPad to the same local network, then open the bridge address in Safari. MSFS itself has no universal iPad FMC mode.
What does an iPad FMC actually control?
The iPad normally acts as a remote control and display for the FMC inside the simulated aircraft. Strictly speaking, the computer is the FMC, while the keypad and screen you operate are the CDU or, in an Airbus, the MCDU.
This is different from an EFB such as the FlyByWire flyPad, which handles settings, ground services and performance tools rather than normal MCDU pages. Our explanation of the A32NX flyPad and its functions covers that distinction.
Which MSFS 2020 aircraft support an iPad FMC?
Only aircraft or add-ons with a remote CDU interface can accept FMC input from an iPad.
| Aircraft or setup | Method to use |
|---|---|
| FlyByWire A32NX or A380X | Run SimBridge on the PC and open its remote MCDU interface in the iPad browser. |
| Other advanced airliners | Use an interface made specifically for that aircraft. Compatibility with one Airbus or Boeing product does not imply compatibility with another. |
| Default MSFS aircraft without remote support | There is no native universal iPad FMC. A second-display or remote-desktop arrangement is only a workaround. |
Before installing anything, look for explicit references to a remote CDU, remote MCDU, web interface or companion server. A generic tablet panel cannot programme an aircraft's FMC unless it supports that aircraft's data and controls.
How do I connect the FlyByWire MCDU to an iPad?
For the FlyByWire A32NX and A380X, SimBridge supplies the local web interface used by the iPad.
- Install the aircraft and SimBridge. Keep both components updated together through the FlyByWire installer. Follow our A32NX iPad MCDU procedure for the aircraft-specific setup.
- Start SimBridge on the simulator PC. If installation, firewall access or the local address is unclear, use our SimBridge installation and network instructions.
- Load the supported aircraft. Power its electrical and avionics systems. A cold and dark aircraft can leave the remote MCDU display blank even when the browser connection is working.
- Join the same local network. The PC may use Ethernet and the iPad Wi-Fi, provided both connect through the same router and can communicate with each other.
- Open the remote address in Safari. Enter the PC's local network address together with the port and path specified by SimBridge. Do not enter
localhostor127.0.0.1on the iPad; those addresses refer to the iPad itself. - Test the controls. Press a key on the iPad and confirm that the cockpit MCDU changes. The browser interface should mirror the live aircraft state rather than create a separate flight plan.
Once it works, the page can be added to the iPad Home Screen for quicker access. Keep the bridge restricted to your private local network; port forwarding is unnecessary and unsafe for this purpose.
Why will the iPad FMC not connect?
Most connection failures come from an incorrect PC address, network isolation or Windows Firewall blocking the bridge.
| Symptom | Likely fix |
|---|---|
| Safari cannot find the server | Use the PC's local IP address, not localhost. Confirm the IP, port and path have been entered exactly. |
| The page works on the PC but not the iPad | Put both devices on the same local network. Leave guest Wi-Fi, disable client isolation and allow the bridge through the firewall on private networks. |
| The remote page opens but the display is dark | Load a supported aircraft and supply electrical power to the MCDU. Check that the correct captain or first-officer unit is selected where that option exists. |
| Keys appear but do not affect the aircraft | Restart the bridge after loading the aircraft and ensure the bridge and aircraft are compatible versions. |
| The connection drops repeatedly | Prevent the iPad from sleeping during use, check for a VPN interfering with local traffic and confirm that the PC has not changed network address. |
Can I use an iPad FMC with MSFS 2020 on Xbox?
Most iPad FMC methods for MSFS 2020 are PC-only because their bridge software must run beside the simulator in Windows. An Xbox cannot run SimBridge or a comparable Windows companion server, so assume a remote FMC is unavailable unless the aircraft explicitly provides an Xbox-compatible method.
What if my aircraft has no remote FMC?
An unsupported FMC cannot be made remotely interactive merely by opening MSFS on an iPad. You can mirror or extend the PC display and move a popped-out instrument onto it, but touch alignment, window focus and performance can be less reliable than a proper remote CDU.
For those alternatives, see our guide to using an iPad as a simulator instrument panel. Choose a native remote CDU when accurate key input and live FMC synchronisation matter; use screen extension only when the aircraft offers no dedicated interface.