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How to Set Up and Use Universal Control on Your Mac and iPad

Universal Control is one of Apple's most innovative features, letting you seamlessly control your Mac and iPad with a single keyboard and cursor. As someone who's integrated it into my daily workflow across multiple devices, I can attest to its smooth, native performance—far surpassing alternatives like Logitech Flow.

With Universal Control, your Mac's keyboard and cursor control a nearby iPad, and vice versa. Even a Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro works to navigate your Mac. It requires macOS 12.3 or later on Mac, iPadOS 15.4 or later on iPad—full compatibility lists below.

Prerequisites: Sign in with the same Apple ID on both devices, stay within 30 feet, and enable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff (in Settings > General on both). Supports up to three devices.

How to Set Up Universal Control on a Mac

  1. Open System Preferences.
  2. Select Displays.
  3. Click Universal Control at the bottom.
  4. Enable Allow your cursor and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad.
  5. Enable Push through the edge of a screen to connect a nearby Mac or iPad.
How to Set Up and Use Universal Control on Your Mac and iPad

How to Set Up Universal Control on an iPad

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap AirPlay & Handoff.
  4. Enable Cursor and Keyboard.
How to Set Up and Use Universal Control on Your Mac and iPad

How to Start Using Universal Control

  1. Position devices side by side after setup.
  2. Move your cursor beyond the screen edge toward the target device.
  3. Watch the animation as the cursor transitions—keep moving to connect.
How to Set Up and Use Universal Control on Your Mac and iPad

Tips to Make Universal Control Work Best

If cursor alignment feels off between devices, adjust display arrangement for precision.

  1. Open System Preferences > Displays.
  2. Drag the iPad or secondary Mac icon to align perfectly (up/down or left/right).
How to Set Up and Use Universal Control on Your Mac and iPad

Now control any connected device with its keyboard/cursor, and drag-drop files effortlessly between macOS and iPadOS.

Macs Supporting Universal Control

  • MacBook (2016 or later)
  • MacBook Pro (2016 or later)
  • MacBook Air (2018 or later)
  • Mac mini (2018 or later)
  • iMac (2017 or later), plus iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
  • iMac Pro
  • Mac Pro (2019 or later)
  • Mac Studio

iPads Supporting Universal Control

  • iPad Pro (all models)
  • iPad (6th generation or later)
  • iPad Air (3rd generation or later)
  • iPad mini (5th generation or later)
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