What is Apple Universal Control and how does it work across your devices?

2 years ago 327

(Pocket-lint) - While astatine WWDC 2021, Apple introduced a caller diagnostic for the Mac. Well, technically, it's besides for the iPad, but it'll beryllium enabled with an update to macOS Monterey. Called Universal Control, it volition let you to power aggregate Apple devices - including an iMac, MacBook, and iPad - each with the aforesaid keyboard and mouse. Here's what you request to know.

Apple

What is Universal Control?

Apple is updating its Continuity system with Universal Control. It lets you enactment with a azygous rodent and keyboard and determination betwixt Mac and iPad for a seamless experience, nary setup required. You tin resistance and driblet contented betwixt devices, with your rodent moving crossed each their displays arsenic if they were tethered.

When volition Universal Control beryllium available?

Apple’s Universal Control diagnostic has been delayed again, with the company’s website present stating it won’t get until sometime "this spring".

How does Universal Control work?

Since Universal Control isn't yet disposable (although you could trial it successful the Monterey beta), everything described beneath is taxable to change.

Apple

No setup required

Apple demoed Universal Control during WWDC 2021. Apple SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi showed however helium could usage Universal Control to enactment the finishing touches connected a Procreate illustration connected his iPad, and past determination to a presumption connected his MacBook. All helium did was acceptable his iPad down adjacent to his Mac. Without immoderate different setup, Federighi touched his MacBook trackpad and moved the cursor toward his iPad, and past the iPad automatically recognised it. Neat!

Although Apple said nary setup is required, presumably, your Apple devices volition request to beryllium registered to the aforesaid Apple ID and moving connected the aforesaid network. We're besides guessing the quality to disable Universal Control volition besides beryllium buried nether your Continuity Settings. We'll fto you cognize arsenic we larn more.

Apple

Control your devices with a azygous trackpad and keyboard

During Federighi's presentation, his MacBook cursor wholly jumped from his laptop to the iPad's display. He could past usage the cursor to power the tablet.

He besides demoed moving the cursor backmost and distant effortlessly betwixt the 2 devices. Again, utilizing conscionable his MacBook trackpad, helium clicked and closed a Procreate papers connected his iPad and flicked to instrumentality to his iPad location screen. He adjacent swiped betwixt pages of apps. Federighi could besides power his iPad with the MacBook's built-in keyboard. He opened Spotlight and past typed Notes to unfastened that app. He past utilized the Command tab to power backmost to Procreate.

Finally, Federighi showed however helium could resistance and driblet files betwixt devices. He took a drafting successful Procreate connected his Pad and dropped into a keynote connected his Mac.

Apple

Universal Control works with much than 2 devices

One of the coolest parts astir Universal Control is that you tin usage it with respective Macs and iPads - not conscionable two. During Federighi's presentation, helium showed however Universal Control tin enactment connected an iMac, MacBook, and iPad each astatine once. Using the MacBook's keyboard and trackpad, helium controlled his adjacent iMac. He besides switched to utilizing the iMac's keyboard and mouse. With those, helium dragged a substance representation successful Procreate connected his iPad crossed each 3 devices to Final Cut connected his iMac.

Apple

Which Apple devices connection Universal Control?

When Universal Control becomes available, it'll enactment connected immoderate Mac susceptible of moving macOS Monterey and immoderate iPad susceptible of moving iPadOS 15.

To spot if your devices volition beryllium eligible, spot our guides: