Apple's Innovative Universal Control Function for Macs Induces a Sense of Enchantment
Apple's long-awaited Universal Control feature has finally arrived, and honestly, it delivers as promised. Currently available in macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 developer betas, Universal Control serves as the missing link between Macs and iPads, making life easier for those constantly toggling between the two devices.
Universal Control, debuted at WWDC last year, enables you to utilize a single mouse and keyboard on both an iPad and Mac, enhancing the user experience by allowing drag and drop of content between the two devices. No more AirDrop, cloud uploads, or cumbersome workarounds to move photos or video clips between your tablet and laptop.
To get started with Universal Control, Apple's claim of "no setup required" rings true. Simply log into both devices with the same Apple ID and ensure they're updated. For now, enrollment in the developer program is needed to utilize the feature, but Universal Control is eventually due to become a built-in feature for iPads and Macs.
Want to test its capabilities? I upgraded my iPad mini to iPadOS 15.4 and the latest 13-inch MacBook Pro to macOS Monterey 12.3. I positioned the two devices beside each other and simply dragged the Mac cursor to the screen's edge. Magic happened when I nudged it a bit further — the cursor transformed from a desktop pointer to iPadOS's small circle, and I was able to use the MacBook's keyboard to type on the iPad. To sum it up, it was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Reversing direction, I connected a SteelSeries gaming mouse to the iPad mini's USB-C port and effortlessly transferred control of the MacBook, all while touching the tablet and using the plugged-in mouse. Universal Control functions equally seamlessly on both devices, once again underscoring its impressive potential.
Files were effortlessly moved between devices using Universal Control. I simply uploaded photos to the MacBook Pro's desktop and pushed them into the iPad mini's Files app with a click and drag of the trackpad. Instantaneous results. It's worth mentioning that I'm neither an Apple fanboy nor an experienced user of their products. Yet, Universal Control is an enticing feature that any user transitioning between operating systems should envy.
However, Universal Control isn't flawless. I occasionally encountered hiccups, for instance when trying to transfer a file from the Mac to the iPad using a connected mouse. But these issues were short-lived and self-corrected quickly. I also found myself questioning what to do when I didn't want the cursor jumping between devices, as it occasionally did when the devices were far away from each other. While you can switch it on and off, it feels like a suboptimal solution that undermines Universal Control's primary strength – its ease of use.
Universal Control will necessitate reconnection of devices once they're in range if you're using a laptop or tablet. If you're working with a desktop Mac, you can set the feature to work continuously. On the iPad Mini, you can find the feature in the Cursor and Keyboard (Beta) option in General > AirPlay & Handoff.
Apple initially announced Universal Control release for fall, but it later moved the expected launch date to this spring. The anticipated public debut of iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3 is where Universal Control's future lies.
Enrichment Data:
Apple's Universal Control feature allows users to seamlessly control multiple Macs and iPads using a single keyboard and mouse, improving cross-device functionality. To understand how it works and what is required to use it:
- Workflow Simplification: Universal Control enables users to move their pointer, type, and copy content between multiple Macs and iPads signed into the same iCloud account.
- Single Keyboard & Mouse Setup: Users can employ one cursor or keyboard to control multiple devices, streamlining work between devices.
- Drag & Drop: Users can transfer files between Macs and iPads using a single mouse or trackpad, boosting file transfer and app interaction.
To make the most of Universal Control, you'll need to ensure your devices meet the following requirements:
- Compatible Devices:
- Macs: macOS Monterey 12.3 or later (incl. MacBook 2016 and later, MacBook Pro 2016 and later, etc.)
- iPads: iPadOS 15.4 or later (incl. iPad Pro, iPad, iPad Air, iPad Mini)
- Sign-in Requirements: Log into all devices with the same Apple ID and enable two-factor authentication.
- Network Requirements: Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network and enable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff.
- Distance Limit: Maintain a 30-foot gap between devices for Universal Control to work.
- Additional Settings: Set up the feature on Macs and iPads using System Settings or Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff.
- The future of work between Macs and iPads looks promising with the integration of Universal Control, a tech innovation from Apple.
- With Universal Control, I was able to airdrop files between my iPad mini and MacBook Pro without the need for cloud uploads or complex workarounds.
- As a rightful user of both iPadOS and macOS, I appreciate the formal display of Universal Control's potential, streamlining the usage of my tech devices.
- Despite occasional hiccups, Universal Control's seamless transfer of content between IPados and Mac devices shows its potential to revolutionize the tech landscape.
