When working on multiple Apple devices simultaneously, it is good to know how to control iPad and MacBook with the same keyboard and mouse. The feature that allows you to use a single mouse and a single keyboard for iPad, Mac and MacBook is called Universal Control.
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When using Universal Control, each device will have its own screen and will run its own applications, the only interaction between them being the control.
In a scenario where you have on the desk you have a iMac, MacBook Pro and one iPad Pro (with Magic Keyboard) can be used a single mouse (or trackpad) and a single keyboard for all three devices. Any of these devices will be able to control the other two on the desk. This will be much easier in the productivity process.
Besides the control of MacBook, Mac and iPad with a single keyboard and a single mouse, universal control allows to move or copy the elements (folders, files, archives, applications) from the device to another by drag & drop. Of course with some restrictions on iPad, where files can only be taken in Files.
How do you control iPad and MacBook with the same keyboard and mouse (or trackpad)
First of all, devices must be compatible with this feature. On Mac to have Macos Monterey (or a newer version) and on iPad to be iPados 15.4 or newer. In my scenario I have Ventura macOS (IMA SI MACBOOK PRO) SI ipados 16.1 Pe iPad Pro.
The devices you want to use the same mouse and the same keyboard must be authenticated with the same iCloud account. Apple ID.
Compatible MAC models
- MacBook launched in 2016 or later
- MacBook Pro launched in 2016 or later
- MacBook Air launched in 2018 or later
- Mac Minini launched in 2018 or later
- IMAC launched in 2017 or later or imac (retina 5k, 27 inches, end of 2015)
- iMac Pro
- Mac Pro launched in 2019 or later
- Mac Studio
Compatible iPad models
- iPad Pro (all models)
- iPad (6th generation) or a later pattern
- iPad Air (3rd generation) or a later pattern
- iPad mini (5th generation) or a later pattern
How do you activate Universal Control on Mac or MacBook
Macos Ventura came up with a major change in the panel with system settings. So System Preferences has become System Settings, with a new interface, closer to iOS and iPados.
Go in System Settings the Display → Advanced.
In setarile “Link to Mac or iPad” trebuie sa avem bifate cel putin primele doua optiuni:
- Allow your pointer and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad.
- Push through the edge of a display to connect a nearby Mac or iPad.
Optionally you can use automatic reconnection if you use frequently Universal Control. “Automatically reconnect to any nearby Mac or iPad” .
How do you activate Universal Control on iPad
In order to control the iPad with mouse and Mac keypad or MacBook keyboard, on iPados you have to activate handoff. Do this from Settings → AirPlay & Handoff.
You can also activate the function Cursor and Keyboard If you want to control Mac or MacBook with trackpad and keyboard Magic Keyboard of the iPad.
How do you use Universal Control on Mac, MacBook and iPad
After all the conditions in tutorial The above are fulfilled, all you have to do is go with mouse on the side of the screen and insist a little until its pointer will first go on the other device. Later this passage will be made fluid.
Careful! The device you want to pass with mouse should not be with a closed or blocked display. At the same time, the devices on which the universal control is active will no longer enter the Sleep and the screens will remain open.
From the settings Display From Mac or Macbook you can change the position of the devices to make it easier to browse from one screen to another.
Also from the Displays settings you can eliminate a connected device or add new compatible ones and which are in proximity. Devices should be at least 10 meters away and have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.
For the one who uses Apple Pencil, it can only be used on the iPad, then with mouse or trackpad the drawing can be pulled into an application from Mac or MacBook.
