Effortless Data Protection for iOS Devices: Mastering the Art of iCloud and Mac Integration | Insights
Unlock the Power of Apple’s Universal Control: Expert Tips for Effortless iPad & Mac Integration | Insights
It’s like magic: How to use Universal Control to control your iPad from a Mac
It’s like magic: How to use Universal Control to control your iPad from a Mac
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
PlaySkip BackwardSkip ForwardNext playlist item
Mute
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 4:29
Loaded: 2.20%
0:00
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind liveLIVE
Remaining Time -4:29
1x
Playback Rate
Chapters
- Chapters
Descriptions
- descriptions off, selected
Captions
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
- Eng US
Share
Audio Track
- en (Main), selected
Fullscreen
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityOpaqueSemi-Transparent
Text BackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparent
Caption Area BackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaque
Font Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%
Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop shadow
Font FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall Caps
ResetDone
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Close Modal Dialog
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Share: Are you prepared for the future of AI, automation, and jobs?
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links
If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Direct LinkEmbed Code
Close Modal Dialog
Apple’s latest software update to the Mac and iPad has enabled a feature that, not to sound too cliche, is downright magical the first time you use it. Universal Control allows you to share your Mac’s mouse and keyboard with your iPad.
That means when you move your Mac’s pointer beyond the edge of your screen, it will automatically switch to your iPad and allow you to use iPadOS without switching devices. To be clear, Universal Control isn’t only designed to work between an iPad and a Mac. It’ll actually work between multiple Macs as well. For the purpose of this guide, I’m going to stick to using it between and iPad and Mac to cover both devices. But you could easily do the same thing with two Macs by following the steps below.
Featured
- We’ve used every iPhone 16 model and here’s our best buying advice for 2024
- 20 years later, real-time Linux makes it to the kernel - really
- My biggest regret with upgrading my iPhone to iOS 18 (and I’m not alone)
- Want a programming job? Learn these three languages
There are a couple of things you’ll need to do before you can use Universal Control. I’ll walk you through the initial setup, and then how to use it.
Update your Mac and iPad
Before you’ll have the option to turn on Universal Control, you need to update the software on your Mac and your iPad. The current versions are MacOS 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4.
On a Mac, open System Preferences, then select Software Update.
On your iPad, open the Settings app then go to General > Software Update and follow the prompts.
How to set up Universal Control on your iPad
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/ZDNet
There isn’t a dedicated Universal Control setting or section in iPadOS. In fact, you won’t find a setting titled “Universal Control” on the iPad at all.
In order to make sure your iPad is setup, open the Settings app then select General > AirPlay & Handoff. Next, make sure the switch next to Cursor and Keyboard is turned On.
How to set up Universal Control on your Mac
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/ZDNet
The Mac does have a dedicated Universal Control section where you can turn the feature on or off and adjust settings. Open System Preferences then click on Displays > Universal Control.
Check the box next to Allow your cursor and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad, then click Done. Leave the other two boxes checked.
How to use Universal Control between your Mac and iPad
With both devices updated and after double-checking that Universal control is enabled, it’s time to actually use Universal Control.
Place your iPad on either side of your Mac’s display, then wake and unlock both of them.
On your Mac, use the trackpad or mouse to move the pointer off the edge of the screen in the direction of your iPad. As you continue to move it, you’ll see the pointer jump from the Mac to the iPad.
Pretty cool, right? Notice that the iPad isn’t simply acting as an external monitor for your Mac – it looks and works just like it normally does, but you don’t have to switch to different input devices.
Want to go back to your Mac? Drag the mouse pointer off the iPad’s screen in the direction of your Mac. Boom.
You can even drag and drop documents between your Mac or iPad, instead of waiting for iCloud Drive to sync or if, for example, you were drawing out an idea in the Notes app with the Apple Pencil on your iPad – you can easily move that to your Mac once you’re finished.
Arrange your displays, adjust settings
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/ZDNet
Your Mac will try its best to locate your iPad’s location in relation to your main display, but it’s not perfect. If you go back into System Preferences on your Mac, you can click-and-drag to rearrange the displays, putting your iPad’s screen in the right spot, allowing you to seamlessly move your mouse between the two devices.
Troubleshooting Universal Control
If you’re having issues getting Universal Control to work, here are a few things to check:
- Make sure both devices are using the same Apple ID/iCloud account
- Double-check that you’re running MacOS 12.3 and iPadOS
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be turned on
Finally, if you’re still not having any luck, it could be that your device isn’t compatible. Here’s the full list of supported devices, taken straight from Apple’s support page .
- MacBook introduced in 2016 or later
- MacBook Pro introduced in 2016 or later
- MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later
- Mac mini introduced in 2018 or later
- iMac introduced in 2017 or later, plus iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
- iMac Pro introduced in 2017
- Mac Pro introduced in 2019 or later
- iPad Pro (all models)
- iPad (6th generation) or later
- iPad Air (3rd generation) or later
- iPad mini (5th generation) or later
Apple
Every iPhone model that will be updated to Apple’s iOS 18 (and which ones can’t)
M3 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air: Which Apple laptop should you buy?
Why you shouldn’t buy the iPhone 16 for Apple Intelligence
I uncovered 8 cool ways to use LiDAR on an iPhone and iPad
- Every iPhone model that will be updated to Apple’s iOS 18 (and which ones can’t)
- M3 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air: Which Apple laptop should you buy?
- Why you shouldn’t buy the iPhone 16 for Apple Intelligence
- I uncovered 8 cool ways to use LiDAR on an iPhone and iPad
Also read:
- [New] 2024 Approved Step-by-Step Guide for PC/Mac Movie Recording
- [Updated] PlainVidWin11 Intuitive, Simple Screen Recorder for PCs for 2024
- 「クリック後のファイル消失:データ回復・修正手順指南」
- 2024 Approved Exclusive Guide to Top 8 FREE, High Definition Video Players
- 2024 Approved IPhone Customization Changing Your Phone's Tune
- 2024’S Ultimate Guide to Small Tablet Mastery: Rigorous Expert Reviews | Discover the Best with ZDNET
- Achieving Perfect Video Quality with HandBrake: Ideal Constant Quality RF Settings for Various Formats
- Early Release: Anticipated Launch of New MacBooks in the Following Week Revealed by Insider Source
- Expand Your Viewing Experience with TCL's New Q and S Series - Featuring 19 Exciting Models
- Experience Apple's Immersive 3D Content on Your Meta Quest 3: A Step-by-Step Guide | ZDNet
- How Apple and Samsung Highlight Microsoft's Secret Battle in Artificial Intelligence – Uncovering Silicon Valley’s Rhymes with Bust!
- How to Track WhatsApp Messages on Honor Play 8T Without Them Knowing? | Dr.fone
- Navigating Windows 10 Privileges: A Comprehensive Guide to Modifying TrustedInstaller Settings
- Proactive Gaming Enhancing Minecraft Through RAM Upgrade
- Top-Rated iPad Gadgets and Enhancements - Featured
- Unlocking the Secrets to Official Recognition on Instagram: Verification Tips and Strategies
- Updated 2024 Approved The Ultimate Playlist Composing Music for Visuals in the Modern Era
- Title: Effortless Data Protection for iOS Devices: Mastering the Art of iCloud and Mac Integration | Insights
- Author: James
- Created at : 2024-11-03 20:04:33
- Updated at : 2024-11-05 22:31:12
- Link: https://technical-tips.techidaily.com/effortless-data-protection-for-ios-devices-mastering-the-art-of-icloud-and-mac-integration-insights/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.