Last year Apple introduced a feature we’ve been waiting for: Universal Control. The NextPit team was able to test the universal control function. Read on to learn how it works with the iPad and MacBook.
What is Universal Control?
The important things first! Universal Control is a feature that lets you control multiple iPads and Macs with one mouse, keyboard, and/or trackpad. You move the cursor and use the keyboard seamlessly between devices. The prerequisite for this is that all devices are registered with the same iCloud account.
As mentioned, the feature is only available on iPads and MacBooks. So it is not yet possible to use the function on the iPhone. The feature is enabled by default, so no setup is required! In order for it to work, however, a few requirements must be met:
- Software Compatibility: iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3 (currently in developer beta) or later.
- A iCloud account: The devices must same iCloud account to be registered.
If your devices meet the above conditions, you can use Universal Control to navigate between devices and enhance the experience on both iPad and Mac.
2021 Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch, for 839.99 euros
2021 Apple iPads Mini, 8.3 inches, for 549 euros
2021 Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch 512GB for €2,119
How does Universal Control work?
We were able to test Universal Control on the iPad Pro 2019, the iPad mini 2021, the MacBook Pro 14” and an additional Samsung display. As peripherals, we used Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse. In our mini test video you can see how easy and practical the “Universal Control” function is:
As you can see, moving your cursor between devices is super easy. One thing we noticed: the cursor’s design changes when used on iPad and Mac. It’s nice to see that Apple hasn’t designed a new icon for this, instead keeping the original format for each platform.
Apple Magic Keyboard for 94.90 euros
Apple Magic Mouse for 74.90 euros
The highlight of this feature is dragging and dropping photos and files between devices without having to share them first. You can also interact with different apps by swiping across the screen; as well as launching apps with Spotlight and streaming videos and music with a few mouse clicks. In other words, it is a helpful tool for using the Apple ecosystem.
I would really like to have this feature enabled on my iPhone as well, so I could quickly interact between my MacBook and my phone. However, the feature is currently not available there.
How do I enable or disable Universal Control?
If you can’t get used to the function, you probably want to know if and how you can deactivate the feature. The good news is that you can do this in no time:
- On the iPad: calls the Settings app > General > AirPlay & Handoff > Cursor & Keyboard” on.
- On the Mac: You can find the Universal Control settings in the “System Settings” > “display”.
If you’re in Settings anyway, let’s make sure you get the most out of Universal Control on your devices! Here are a few changes I’ve made to help you get the most out of this feature:
- Allow your cursor to move to any nearby Mac or iPad: Allows you to use the cursor and keyboard on any nearby Mac or iPad signed into the same iCloud account.
- Swipe off the edge of the screen to connect to a nearby Mac or iPad: If you activate this option, you can connect the cursor to a nearby Mac or iPad by sliding it to the edge of the screen.
- Automatically reconnect to nearby Macs or iPads: If you enable this option, the Mac will automatically connect to any nearby Macs or iPads you’ve previously connected to.
That’s all we know about the Universal Control feature so far. I personally hope to get more things done by using this feature on a daily basis. Mainly because now I can easily use an iPad as a true second screen. Also, my desk will be a lot tidier since my second screen is basically the size of my MacBook monitor. If you also appreciate the teachings of Marie Condo, you know how important it is to have things that bring joy!
What do you think of Apple’s “Universal Control” feature? Are you already using them? Or do you manage yourself differently? Let us know what you think in the comments.