If you have multiple macintosh you want to use , it can be a dogfight to wangle multiple keyboards , black eye , and other pointing devices . What if you could use a single set of input gimmick to control multiple Macs — and sometimes iPads ?
Since Monterey , Apple has offered Universal Control for Macs and iPads , a solution for sharing keyboard and mice between two Macs . Where Universal Control does n’t fit , you may seek a hardware or software system KVM , which can share a set of input equipment among multiple computer .
What is Universal Control?
Universal Controlwill let you use the same keyboard and shiner for all the Macs and iPads you are working on . All you have to do to switch gimmick is move the arrow until it cross the edge of the sieve . The young feature of speech also makes it extremely sluttish to copy content between gadget using drag - and - drop .
Universal Control builds on the Continuity boast Apple supply years ago that made it easy to move from one machine to another seamlessly . Then with Catalina in 2019 come Sidecar , which made it easy to use an iPad as an additional concealment for your Mac . Read : How to employ an iPad as a 2nd screen with a Mac .
But Universal Control snuff it a step further than Sidecar did : rather than turn your iPad display into a junior-grade Mac display , Universal Control will keep the iPadOS on the iPad , so that you may interface with the iPad as an iPad , rather than as a 2d screen door for your Mac .
Synergy lets you share a keyboard, mouse, and other input devices across computers running macOS and other platforms.
likewise , Universal Control brings a Sidecar - like feature to the Mac , so you’re able to extend the primary screen to the secondary Mac , but you’re able to also choose to utilize the two Macs independently so that you’re able to interface between the two devices .
Here we will excuse how to use a keyboard and mouse with two Macs or a Mac and an iPad . Read on !
What you need for Universal Control
Universal Control lets you use a keyboard , mouse , or trackpad across multiple twist lumber into the same iCloud account and that are in proximity to one another . MacOS Monterey version 12.4 or subsequently and iPadOS 15.4 or later are required . You also take to have Bluetooth and Wi - Fi enabled .
Universal Control is sprain on by nonremittal on both your Mac and iPad , but you do take to set up a few thing .
Apple offersthis detailed setup guidethat includes minimal hardware good example necessity for Macs and iPads .
Synergy lets you share a keyboard, mouse, and other input devices across computers running macOS and other platforms.
Universal Control compatibility
Universal Control wo n’t work with every Mac or iPad . If you want to manoeuver multiple Macs and iPads with one keyboard , mouse and trackpad you ’ll need a recent Mac and a recent iPad , both machine will involve to be logged into the same Apple ID , you will also involve two - factor certification , and you will need to be running macOS 12.3 or iPadOS 15.4 .
Compatible Macs:
Compatible iPads:
This means that if your Mac is from 2015 or to begin with it ’s not a characteristic you will be able to love ( unless you have a 27 in iMac from that era ) .
Does Universal control work with Intel Macs?
Universal Control will work with some recent Intel Macs .
Does universal control work with iPhone?
Universal Control only connects the Mac and iPad , not the iPhone . The iPhone is n’t really suitable for manipulation as an additional screen in this variety of place up .
How many devices can you link with Universal Control?
Up to three Macs or iPads can be linked this way . But you will call for a Mac to use this with an iPad – you ca n’t use Universal Control to connect two iPads ( yet , anyway ) .
How to share a mouse and keyboard with two Macs
If you want to habituate your keyboard and mouse with two Macs do the following :
Now when you drag your pointer over in the commission of your secondary Mac screen , when you get to the edge of the concealment your pointer will move to the other screen and you will be able-bodied to employ your keyboard and mouse to check the secondary equipment .
So for object lesson , if you want to use FaceTime on your MacBook you could still use the mouse and keyboard usually assort with your Mac miniskirt . You are using the FaceTime app on the MacBook , not the Mac miniskirt .
How to share your mouse and keyboard with an iPad
On your iPad do the following :
Now on your Mac espouse these step :
Note that when we used the base button on our iPad it stopped Universal Control , so if you do that you may require to start it again in System Preferences > Displays .
How to drag and drop between Mac and iPad
While it was already possible tocopy and paste textual matter between your Apple devicesthanks to Universal Clipboard , it ’s now really easygoing to haul and drop file and other thing between your iPad and Mac and vice versa .
Now Universal Control has arrived it ’s easy to drag and drop from the Mac to iPad , but you do have to show the file where it involve to go on the iPad ( it wo n’t automatically get the right spot ) .
For lesson , if you want to replicate a picture from your Mac to your iPad take these steps :
Synergy lets you share a keyboard, mouse, and other input devices across computers running macOS and other platforms.
On the other paw , if you want to drag from the iPad to the Mac the cognitive process is a lot easy , just drop behind and strike down to the desktop and it will end up there ( and if you have Stacks selected it will be in the relevant brochure ) . Read : Clean up a Mac desktop with Mojave Desktop Stacks & other tricks .
Alternatively , cart it to a booklet and drop it there .
What to do if your Mac and iPad don’t support Universal Control?
There are alternative to universal ascendancy that will also set aside you to apply a individual keyboard and mouse with two Macs and even an iPad .
How to use a Hardware KVM
call KVM long ago for “ keyboard , telecasting , and mouse , ” a KVM switch was an important tool for system and web administrators to avoid the clutter of special bulky cathode-ray tube and keyboards in server rooms and elsewhere . Later , KVMs became ready to hand for those who wanted to bob a laptop next to a desktop setup and use a larger monitor , full - sized keyboard , and mouse , trackball , or trackpad .
Those KVMs had to include a VGA connection , multiple nonparallel and audio connexion , and sometimes USB 1.1 .
Today , a KVM can be much simpler : you just need USB Type - A ports and can use USB - C adapters as necessary to connect to your Macs . This $ 19.99 list priceUGreen two - computer switchcould fit the bill for many people .
How to use a Software KVM
If you only want to switch among Macs , a virtual KVM might be the path of least fuss . Symless Synergyis just $ 29 for three computers , with those licenses comprehend macOS , Linux , Raspberry Pi , and Windows — you may mix and match induction .
Synergy works similarly to Universal Control ( before Universal Control existed ) , allow you touch off movement among devices by sliding your cursor off the edge of one concealment and onto another .
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