Use A Single Keyboard & Mouse Between Your Mac & iPad

With Universal Control, you can use the keyboard, mouse, or trackpad from your Mac to control up to two other nearby Mac or iPad devices. Each device maintains its own apps and screen, but you can seamlessly move the pointer, type, and even copy content between them. Learn more about Universal Control here.

What You Can Do with Universal Control

Using Universal Control, you can control multiple devices with one keyboard, drag and drop across devices, and more with instant connection.

Control Multiple Devices

Use one Mac’s keyboard and mouse to control up to two other devices.

Drag Drop

Move content between devices, such as dragging a file from your Mac into a conversation on your iPad.

Seamless Apps

Use apps independently on each device while controlling them with one keyboard and mouse.

Instant Connectivity

Move the pointer past the screen’s edge, and it will appear on your iPad or other Mac without setup.

If you want to extend or mirror your Mac’s display to an iPad, use Sidecar instead. For controlling your Mac within Apple Vision Pro, use Mac Virtual Display.

How To Turn On Universal Control

On Your Mac

1. Go to Apple menu > System Settings (or System Preferences).
2. Click Displays.
3. In macOS Ventura or later, click Advanced at the bottom of the window.
4. Turn on Allow your pointer and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad.

On Your iPad

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap General, then tap AirPlay & Handoff.
3. Turn on Cursor and Keyboard (this setting is available only on supported iPads).

How To Connect Your Devices

After turning on Universal Control, place your devices near each other and make sure they’re awake and unlocked. Move your pointer past the edge of your Mac’s screen toward your iPad or another Mac. Once the pointer begins to push through, move it all the way through to connect.

Arrange Your Displays

You can adjust where your devices appear relative to each other for smoother pointer movement:

1. On your primary Mac, go to Apple menu > System Settings (or System Preferences).
2. Click Displays and then Arrange.
3. Drag the image of your iPad or other Mac to match their physical positioning.

More Features

Using Keyboard, Mouse, Or Trackpad Across Devices

When your devices are connected, you can use the keyboard and mouse of any connected device to interact with them all. On iPad, the pointer will appear as a dot, simulating touch input.

iPad-Specific Features

• Open Dock: Move the pointer past the bottom of the screen.
• Go Home: Move the pointer past the bottom twice while using an app.
• Open App Switcher: Move the pointer past the bottom of the Home screen twice.

Drag & Drop Between Devices

You can drag files, photos, or text between your Mac and iPad using your mouse or trackpad. For instance:

• Drag a file from your Mac into Keynote on your iPad.
• Move a photo from your Mac into a conversation on your iPad.

If dragging doesn’t work, you can also copy content on one device and paste it on the other using Command-C and Command-V.

Disconnecting Your Device

To disconnect a device, you can either put it to sleep or use the Display menu in Control Centre on your Mac to unlink the device. Alternatively, press Control-Option-Command-Delete on your keyboard to disconnect all devices.

Universal Control System Requirements

macOS Monterey 12.4 or Later

• MacBook (2016 or later)
• MacBook Pro (2016 or later)
• MacBook Air (2018 or later)
• Mac mini (2018 or later)
• iMac (2017 or later)
• iMac Pro (all models)
• Mac Pro (2019 or later)
• Mac Studio

iPadOS 15.4 or Later

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

To use Universal Control, all devices must be signed in with the same Apple Account, have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled, and be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other.