How to use Universal Control on Macs and iPads

Universal Control demonstrated on an iPad Pro and MacBook Pro

(Image credit: Future)

It's finally fourth dimension to acquire how to use Universal Command on Macs and iPads to bring Apple'due south biggest screens into a tighter harmony. First shown off at WWDC 2021 last June, Universal Control failed to arrive in 2021 alongside the releases of macOS 12 Monterey and iPadOS 15.

Universal Control arrived on iPads and Macs this year in the developer beta versions released on Th (January. 27). And now that we've had time to test it out, we've got to applaud Apple. Nosotros didn't desire to wait this long, but wow: Universal Control is actually worth the wait. Especially if you lot don't have a multi-monitor setup.

So, we've gone through the process of testing it out, and now we tin can guide you through the steps you demand to take to use Universal Command — too as share tips for how to make the about of it.

Earlier we dive in, let'south talk about how much this feature makes iPads better than always. While you've been able to apply your iPad as a 2d monitor for a while at present, this is fifty-fifty cooler. Why? Because now the keyboard and mouse yous utilise on one of those devices works with the other. This manner you can (as I tested) have your iPad Pro next to your MacBook Pro, and but use ane of the keyboards and trackpads to operate both. Yous can fifty-fifty re-create and paste beyond devices.

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How to utilize Universal Control on Macs and iPads

1. Brand sure you have a uniform Mac and iPad. Hither are the supported devices:

MacBook Pro introduced in 2016 or afterward
MacBook introduced in 2016 or subsequently
MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later
iMac introduced in 2017 or later, or iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
iMac Pro
Mac mini introduced in 2018 or later
Mac Pro introduced in 2019
iPad Pro: all models
iPad (6th generation) or newer
iPad mini (5th generation) or newer
iPad Air (tertiary generation) or newer

2. Install the macOS Monterey 12.3 developer beta on your Mac.

The System Preferences window with the Monterey release version and Developer Beta track highlighted — (Image credit: Apple)

three. Install the iPadOS 15.four developer beta on your iPad.

An iPad Preferences screen with the version number highlighted — (Image credit: Apple tree)

4. Make sure you're signed into the same Apple tree ID on both your iPad and Mac.

Image one of 2

A macOS system preferences window with the user's Apple ID highlighted — (Prototype credit: Apple)

Image 2 of ii

A iPadOS system preferences window with the user's Apple ID highlighted — (Image credit: Apple)

5. Put your Mac and iPad well-nigh each other. They don't need to be this close, though.

A iPad Pro and a MacBook Pro next to each other — (Image credit: Future)

half dozen. On your Mac, movement your cursor to the edge of the screen closes to your iPad, and motility the cursor "off the screen" as if information technology's going to "jump" to the iPad.

The cursor going from MacBook Pro to iPad Pro using Universal Control — (Image credit: Futurity)

Ta-da, you're using Universal Control on macOS and iPadOS!

As for what this tin can be used for, aside from the utility of controlling both devices with the same keyboard and mouse or trackpad, you lot can also copy and past content beyond devices. This way it'due south even more than like the devices are unified!

macOS Monterey new features, release date, beta and compatibility — With Universal Control yous'll see a little purlieus-breaking blitheness when yous move your cursor to the edge of the screen nearly a uniform device. (Image credit: Apple | YouTube)

Henry is a senior editor at Tom'due south Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past vi-plus years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Mag. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other manufacture veterans.