How to Use Universal Control Across Macs and iPads

How to Use Universal Control Across Macs and iPads.

While Sidecar can turn your iPad into an extra display for your Mac, the powerful processor inside an iPadOS device is underused. This is where universal control can make a difference.

If you have a Mac and iPad that are compatible with Universal Control, you can use your iPad as a standalone device but control it with your Mac’s keyboard and mouse. You can even control other Macs with the same set of input devices.

Source: Apple

How It Works

Universal Control supports a combination of three macOS and iPadOS devices as long as there is at least one Mac in the set. You can easily move your cursor across all three screens—all devices run their own system software—with a single mouse or trackpad, and enter text with a single keyboard.

For example, you can use the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse paired with your iMac, or the built-in keyboard and trackpad on your MacBook to control your iPad. Similarly, if you use an external keyboard and mouse with your iPad (such as the Magic Keyboard with trackpad), you can use them to control your Mac.

The best thing about Universal Control is that it requires minimal setup and requires no additional software (except that you must be using macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 or later). However, this feature is not available for iPhone and you cannot use it on Android and Windows devices either.

Compatible Devices

To use Universal Control, you need a Mac running macOS 12.3 or later. However, this feature is limited to Mac desktops and laptops starting in 2018 (both Intel and Apple Silicon), except for the following older models:

MacBook Pro (2016 and 2017)MacBook (2016)iMac and iMac Pro (2017)iMac Retina 5K (2015)

If you haven’t updated your Mac yet, open the System Preferences app and choose Software Update > Update Now.

Similarly, you must be using an iPad running iPadOS 15.4 or later. While Universal Control works on all iPad Pro models, it only works on iPad 6th generation, iPad mini 5th generation, iPad Air 3rd generation and later.

Open the Settings app and go to General > Software Update > Download and Install to update iPadOS if necessary.

Note. Universal management will only let you manage devices that use the same Apple ID or iCloud account. In addition, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Handoff must be active on all devices. You do not need to be connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Set Up Universal Control

If you’re using a Mac and iPad compatible with Universal Control with the latest system software, follow the steps below to make sure the feature is set up the way you want.

Universal Control – Mac

Open the System Preferences app and choose Displays > Universal Control to access the following Universal Control options.

Allow your cursor and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad: The main switch that makes Universal Control work . It should be active.Tap on the edge of the screen to connect a nearby Mac or iPad: Allows you to hover over the edge of your Mac or iPad to activate Universal Control. Clear the checkbox if you prefer to connect via the menu bar.Automatically reconnect to any nearby Mac or iPad: Allows your Mac or iPad to connect to each other after the first time without having to press the cursor to the edge of the screen. display.

Universal Control – iPad

Open the Settings app and go to General > AirPlay & Handoff. Then turn on the toggle next to cursor and keyboard (beta).

Use Universal Control

Universal Control automatically locates macOS and iPadOS devices if they are within each other’s Bluetooth range. For example, you can place your iPad to the left of your Mac and click on the left edge of your Mac’s display to make it appear on the iPad’s screen.

First, you will see a translucent stripe on the adjacent device as a visual cue; keep pressing and the cursor will appear on the other side. You must interact with the device screen at least once before you can start using the keyboard.

If the “Push over the edge of the display to connect to a nearby Mac or iPad Universal Control” setting isn’t enabled on your Mac, select “Display” from the Control Center or menu bar and select the device under “Pin keyboard and mouse to”.

You can also customize the layout of your Apple devices without physically moving them – just go to System Preferences > Displays and drag the display thumbnails in the order you want.

In addition to interacting with Mac and iPad with the same keyboard, mouse, and trackpad, you can drag and drop files between them. However, you must have a compatible app open on your iPad to receive files you drag and drop from your Mac or other iPad, such as the Photos app or Files when you move pictures.

You Can Still Use Sidecar

Despite having Universal Control, you can always go back to using Sidecar. To do this, open the System Preferences app and select Displays. Then open the “Add Display” drop-down menu and select your iPad under “Mirror” or “Extend to”.

It Just Works

Universal Control is an incredible feature that works great on Mac and iPad to help improve your workflow and increase productivity. Keep the operating systems on your devices up to date so you can benefit from improvements and enhancements in the future.