(Pocket-Lint) – While at WWDC 2021 last summer, Apple unveiled a new feature called Universal Control for Mac and iPad. Developers are currently testing the feature, which allows you to seamlessly control multiple Apple devices, including the same keyboard and mouse – an iMac, MacBook and iPad.
It will be available to the public through universal control Upcoming software updates on iPadOS and macOS Monterey. H.It has everything you need to know about it.
What is universal control?
Apple is updating its continuity system with Universal Control. It lets you work with a single mouse and keyboard and go between Mac and iPad for a seamless experience, no setup required. You can drag and drop content between devices, your mouse can move across all of their displays as if they were tethered.
When will universal control be available?
The long awaited feature is now available for testing iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3 betas are for developers only.
Apple originally wanted to release Universal Control last fall, but it missed that release window. It is now expected this spring, And this is a good indication that it may actually be released soon on Betas – probably with the official release of iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3 to the public.
If you install iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3 Beta, you will see three options for Universal Controls labeled with beta tags.
How does Universal Control work?
Since Universal Control is not officially available, everything described below is subject to change.
No setup required
Apple has demonstrated Universal Control during WWDC 2021 Apple SVP software engineer Craig Federighi showed how he could use Universal Control to give a finishing touch to a processed illustration on his iPad and then go to a presentation on his MacBook. All he did was set up his iPad next to his Mac. Without any other setup, Federichi touches his MacBook trackpad and moves the cursor toward his iPad, and then the iPad automatically detects it. Neat!
Although Apple says no setup is required, most likely, your Apple devices will need to be registered with the same Apple ID and run on the same network. We assume that the ability to disable universal control will also be buried under your continuity settings. We’ll let you know if we know more.
Control your devices with a single trackpad and keyboard
During Federighi’s presentation, his MacBook cursor completely moved from his laptop to the iPad’s display. He can then use the cursor to control the tablet.
He also demonstrated how to move the cursor back and forth effortlessly between the two devices. Again, using only his MacBook trackpad, he clicks on and off a process document on his iPad and flicks back to his iPad home screen. He even swiped between the pages of the app. Federighi can control his iPad with MacBook’s built-in keyboard. He opened the spotlight and then typed a note to open the app. He then uses the Command tab to return to the process.
Finally, Federighi showed how he could drag files between devices. He took a drawing of Procrete on his pad and dropped it on his Mac’s original note.
Universal Control works with more than two devices
A great part of Universal Control is that you can use it with most Macs and iPads – not just two. During Federighi’s presentation, he showed how Universal Control can work together on an iMac, MacBook and iPad. Using the MacBook’s keyboard and trackpad, he controls the iMac near him. He also switched to using iMac’s keyboard and mouse. With them, he draws a text image of Procreat on his iPad across three devices, cutting the finale on his iMac.
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Which Apple device offers Universal Control?
Once Universal Control is available, it will work on any Mac capable of running MacOS Monterey, and any iPad capable of running iPadOS 15.4.
To see if your devices are eligible, check out our guide:
Want to know more?
Pocket-Lint features round-ups macOS Monterey and iPadOS 15. Apple also has one Press Release Universal Control details here.
Written by Maggie Tillman.
