{"id":184140,"date":"2022-02-22T10:48:24","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T09:48:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=184140"},"modified":"2025-07-01T20:55:39","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T03:55:39","slug":"how-to-use-universal-control-across-macs-ipads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/how-to-use-universal-control-across-macs-ipads\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Universal Control Across Macs and iPads"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Apple has introduced the long-awaited Universal Control with <\/strong>iOS 15.4<\/strong> and macOS Monterey 12.3<\/strong> updates<\/a>. This amazing feature allows control and movement between Mac and iPad <\/strong>with a single mouse or trackpad and keyboard, so you don\u2019t have to clutter your desk with separate input devices and can work comfortably on both devices at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n

  1. Connet to iCloud<\/h2>\"How

    Both your devices must be signed in to iCloud and share one Apple ID using two-factor authentication<\/strong>. It won\u2019t work across devices signed into separate \u200cApple ID\u200c accounts. For wireless use, you must enable Bluetooth, WiFi, and Handoff on both devices. They should be within 10 meters (30 feet) of one another and connected to the same network. The \u200ciPad\u200c and Mac must not share a cellular and internet connection. So the Mac can\u2019t be tethered to the \u200ciPad\u200c). Using a USB connection, the Mac must be trusted on the \u200ciPad\u200c. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  2. Adjust the settings<\/h2>\"How

    To set up Universal Control on your Mac, go to the Apple icon \u2192 System Preferences<\/em>. Choose <\/span>Displays<\/em>. Click on <\/span>Advanced<\/em> to access <\/span>Universal Control\u2019s settings.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

    \u00a0Use the <\/span>Displays section12<\/em> of the Mac\u2019s <\/span>System Preferences<\/em> to ensure <\/span>Universal Control is working correctly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    On the \u200ciPad\u200c, if you go to Settings -> General -> AirPlay & Handoff<\/em>, you can toggle off Cursor and Keyboard <\/em>if you don\u2019t want to use Universal Control.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  3. Operate multiple devices<\/h2>\"How

    If, for instance, you are using an <\/span>iPad Pro <\/b>and a <\/span>MacBook Pro, <\/b>you can set them up next to each other and use the MacBook Pro\u2019s keyboard and trackpad to work on the \u200ciPad\u200c. You can also switch the devices\u2019 roles by using the <\/span>Magic Keyboard<\/b> on your iPad\u200c, for example, to control and work on the Mac. Each device will still be running its respective operating system (macOS on the Mac and iPadOS on the \u200ciPad\u200c), but you can use the same keyboard and mouse to work on both devices.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  4. Using Universal Control<\/h2>\"How

    You can use one keyboard for both devices to type into text input fields like <\/span>Notes<\/b> or <\/span>Safari. <\/b>Best of all, you\u2019ll be able to move material from one desktop to the other by simply dragging and dropping it.<\/span> BUT, you\u2019ll have to have an app open that\u2019s compatible with the file type you are using on an \u200ciPad\u200c and a Mac. For example, if you want to transfer a picture from the Mac to the \u200ciPad\u200c, ensure you first open the <\/span>Photos<\/b> app <\/b>on the<\/span> \u200ciPad\u200c<\/b>. It\u2019s similar if you want to move a document: First open the iPad\u2019s<\/span> Files app<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  5. Format support<\/h2>\"How

    The Mac\u2019s desktop supports different file types, so dragging a file or photo from the \u200ciPad\u200c to the Mac is easy. The home screen on the iPad\u200c does not support different file types. But the three-finger swipe between pages, and other macOS gestures, are compatible on the \u200ciPad\u200c since the <\/span>Magic Keyboard<\/b> supports these features. Some of the multitouch gestures (like Mission Control) aren\u2019t available on iPad\u200cs. So, if, for instance, you open an app on the \u200ciPad\u200c and want to exit using the Mac\u2019s trackpad, you can use a three-finger swipe. Or you can move across the dock with your mouse and swap apps. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ol><\/div>