How to Use Universal Control with iPad and Mac

Apple's Universal Control is a feature that allows users to control Macs and other Apple devices using a single keyboard and mouse. It's designed to make it easier to switch between devices and control multiple devices simultaneously. Here's how to use Universal Control with your iPad and Mac.

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Universal Control Requirements

Universal Control has some prerequisites before you can use it. To use Universal Control on your Mac and iPad, you must meet the following requirements:

Both your Mac and iPad must be running the latest version of macOS and iPadOS.
They must both be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Both must be logged in to the same account. ICloud account.
Your Mac and iPad must be close together.
Your Mac and/or iPad must have a compatible keyboard and mouse or trackpad attached to it, such as the Magic Keyboard for iPad.

Universal Control is turned on by default and should work automatically if the above requirements are met, but you may want to double-check that the option is active first.

How to check if Universal Control is activated on macOS

While it should be enabled by default, you can manually enable Universal Control. You'll need to do this for both your Mac and iPad.

On a Mac, go to the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen and select System Preferences Or "System settings" In newer macOS versions, including: macOS is coming.
In the left sidebar, select the option "the offer".
Locate "advanced" at the bottom of the window.
Make sure all the options under are enabled. “Link to Mac or iPad”.

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Good to know: Is your Mac's external display not working properly? Be sure to try these. 7 macOS Fixes.

How to check if Universal Control is activated on iPadOS

To check if Universal Control is enabled in iPadOS, follow these steps:

On your iPad, go to the Settings app and select the option "general".
In General Settings, select the option Airplay & Handoff.
Under Handoff settings, make sure the option is selected. Handoff.

Once you've activated Universal Control on your Mac and iPad, you should be able to use your Mac's keyboard, mouse, and trackpad on your iPad, provided the other Universal Control requirements above are met.

How to use Universal Control

If you meet all the Universal Control requirements and confirm that the feature is enabled, you can start using it immediately.

Simply start by moving your macOS mouse pointer to the edge of the screen nearest your iPad. Your Mac will detect that you want to move the pointer to your iPad, and you'll see a pop-up window appear on the edge of the screen.
Push "via" The edge of the screen, and you'll see the mouse cursor on your iPad screen. Anything you select will now also respond to keystrokes on your Mac keyboard.

How to fix incorrect Universal Control screen layout

If Universal Control detects that your iPad is on the wrong side, you can fix this issue by following these steps:

On your Mac, go to the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen and select System Preferences Or "System settings".
In the System window, select the option "the offer".
Make sure your iPad and MacBook are in the correct order. If not, simply select "ranking" , then drag the thumbnails to represent the correct order.

What can you do with Universal Control?

Apple Universal Control lets you use your Mac's keyboard, mouse, and trackpad on your iPad. This allows you to seamlessly control both devices at the same time, without having to switch between them.

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With Universal Control, you can do things like:

Navigate and use apps on your iPad using your Mac's keyboard, mouse, and trackpad.
Copy and paste text, images, and files between your Mac and iPad.
Use your Mac's keyboard to enter text on your iPad, for example when typing a search query or replying to a message.
Use your Mac's trackpad to interact with on-screen items on your iPad, such as scrolling, tapping, and swiping.
Use your Mac's keyboard and trackpad to control audio and video playback on your iPad.
Use your Mac's keyboard and trackpad to control games and other interactive apps on your iPad.

This allows you to leverage the processing power of both devices, rather than simply using one as a glorified second screen. For example, you can watch YouTube on your iPad while running creative software on your MacBook, without affecting the tablet's performance.

Good to know: Universal Control is one way to multitask on your iPad and Mac. With iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura, learn more. How to Use Stage Manager on Mac and iPad.

How to switch back to Sidecar mode

Sidecar allows your iPad to act as a second display for your Mac by extending or mirroring your Mac's desktop. To switch from Apple Universal Control to Sidecar in macOS, follow these steps:

On your Mac, go to the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen, then select System Preferences Or "System settings".
In the System Preferences window, select the option Display screens , then click the drop-down arrow to the right of the display order chart.
Locate "Reflection or extension of" The name of the iPad you want to use as a side display.

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Depending on your needs, switching between Universal Control and Sidecar allows you to use your Mac and iPad in several different ways. Universal Control lets you use your Mac's input devices on your iPad, while Sidecar lets you use your iPad as a secondary display for your Mac. You can switch between these modes as needed to get the most out of your Mac and iPad.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: Can I control media on my iPad using Universal Control?
answer. Yes, you can use your Mac's keyboard and trackpad to control audio and video playback on your iPad. This can be convenient if you're watching a movie or TV show on your iPad and want to use your Mac's keyboard and trackpad to pause, play, or skip ahead.

Q2: Can I control my iPad games using a Mac mouse and keyboard?
answer. Yes, you can use your Mac's keyboard and trackpad or mouse to control supported games and other interactive apps on your iPad. This can be a more convenient and comfortable way to play games on your iPad, and there are some Really cool games on iPad And Mac, thanks to Apple Arcade. You can now play it on any system using a keyboard and mouse.

Q3: Can I copy and paste between my Mac and iPad?
answer. Yes, you can use Universal Control to copy and paste text, images, and files between your Mac and iPad. To do this, simply select the item you want to copy on one device, press Command+C to copy it, switch to the other device, and press Command+V to paste it. This can be a convenient way to quickly transfer content between your Mac and iPad.