How to Set Up Universal Control on Mac and iPad

Universal Control lets you use one Mac keyboard and mouse or trackpad to control your Mac and iPad side by side, moving the cursor between them and dragging files back and forth. This guide walks you through the setup, what to check first, and how to fix common issues.

What You’ll Need

A Mac from 2016 or later running macOS Monterey 12.3 or newer (ideally the latest version).
An iPad from 2017 or later running iPadOS 15.4 or newer (ideally the latest version).
Both devices signed into the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication.
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff turned on for both devices.
Both devices within about 30 feet (10 meters) of each other, with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled.

Step-by-Step

Update both devices. On the Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS) → General → Software Update. On the iPad, go to Settings → General → Software Update. Install any available updates, then restart if prompted.
Check Apple ID and Handoff. On the Mac, go to System Settings → Apple ID and confirm you’re signed in. Then go to General → AirDrop & Handoff and toggle on Handoff. On the iPad, go to Settings → General → AirDrop & Handoff and turn on Handoff. Both devices must use the same Apple ID.
Enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. On the Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar and ensure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on. On the iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center and do the same. Connect both to the same Wi-Fi network (or use a personal hotspot).
Place devices side by side. Position the iPad next to the Mac, with the screen you want the cursor to move to on the side you’ll drag toward. For example, if the iPad is to the right of the Mac, its left edge should be near the Mac’s right edge.
Open Universal Control settings on the Mac. Go to System Settings → Displays (or System Preferences → Displays). Scroll down and click Advanced… (on newer macOS) or look for the Universal Control section. Check the boxes for Allow your cursor and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad and Push through the edge of a display to connect to a nearby Mac or iPad. If you see Automatically reconnect, check that too.
Enable Universal Control on the iPad. Go to Settings → General → AirDrop & Handoff → Cursor and Keyboard (or Universal Control on older iPadOS) and toggle it on.
Move the cursor to the edge. On the Mac, move the cursor to the edge of the screen that faces the iPad. Pause for a moment; a thin outline may appear on the iPad’s edge. Continue pushing the cursor past the edge, and it should appear on the iPad.
If the cursor doesn’t cross automatically, add the iPad manually. On the Mac, go to System Settings → Displays. You should see a representation of your Mac’s screen and the iPad. Click Add Display and choose your iPad from the list. Then arrange the displays by dragging them so their edges touch in the same physical orientation.
Use the keyboard and trackpad. Once connected, the Mac’s keyboard and trackpad work on the iPad. You can type in any text field, use trackpad gestures (like scrolling and right-clicking), and drag files between apps or from Finder to the iPad.
Disconnect when done. To end the connection, move the cursor back to the Mac’s screen, or go to Displays settings and uncheck the iPad from the display list, or simply lock the iPad.

Common Mistakes

Both devices not on the same Apple ID. Universal Control requires the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication. Check under Settings → Apple ID on both.
Handoff disabled. Handoff must be on for both devices, even if you don’t use it for anything else.
Devices too far apart. Bluetooth range is about 30 feet, but walls and interference can reduce it. Keep them close.
Wrong physical arrangement. The cursor only crosses at the edges you set. If the iPad is on the left but you push the cursor to the right edge, it won’t work.
Outdated software. Older macOS/iPadOS versions may not support Universal Control or may have bugs. Always update.
iPad locked or screen off. The iPad must be unlocked and awake for the connection to work.

Tips

You can drag files from Finder on the Mac to apps on the iPad, like dragging an image into an email or a document into Files.
Use the same keyboard shortcuts on the iPad (e.g., Command+C, Command+V) — they work as expected.
To move the cursor back, just push it to the opposite edge of the iPad; it will return to the Mac.
You can also use Universal Control with multiple Macs and iPads, arranging them in the Displays settings.
If the connection drops, try turning Bluetooth off and on again on the Mac, or restart both devices.

Troubleshooting

Cursor won’t cross. Check that both devices have Universal Control enabled (Mac: Displays → Advanced; iPad: Settings → General → AirDrop & Handoff → Cursor and Keyboard). Then try moving the cursor slowly and pausing at the edge. If still nothing, go to Displays on the Mac and manually add the iPad.
iPad not showing in Displays list. Make sure the iPad is unlocked, nearby, and has Bluetooth on. Also verify that Handoff is enabled on both. If it still doesn’t appear, restart both devices and try again.
Connection drops frequently. Move the devices closer, reduce interference from other Bluetooth devices, and ensure both are on the same Wi-Fi network. Also check battery levels — low power can cause disconnects.
Keyboard works but trackpad doesn’t. On the iPad, go to Settings → General → Trackpad & Mouse and make sure “Tap to Click” is on. Also try moving the cursor more slowly.
Files won’t drag. Make sure the app on the iPad supports drag-and-drop (most Apple apps do). Try dragging a small file first. If it fails, copy the file to iCloud Drive and open it on the iPad instead.
After updating macOS, Universal Control stopped. Go to System Settings → Displays → Advanced and re-enable the checkboxes, as updates sometimes reset them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Universal Control work over Wi-Fi only?

It uses Bluetooth for discovery and a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connection for data transfer. Both must be on, and the devices should be close.

Can I use my iPad’s keyboard with the Mac?

No, Universal Control is one-directional for input: the Mac’s keyboard and trackpad control the iPad, not the other way around.

Can I use Universal Control with more than one iPad?

Yes, you can connect up to two additional devices to a Mac, for a total of three devices.

Does the iPad need to be plugged in?

No, but it helps to keep it charged, as the connection uses battery on both devices.

Can I use Universal Control with a Windows PC?

No, Universal Control only works between Apple devices (Macs and iPads).

Why doesn’t my iPad appear in the Mac’s Displays settings?

Check that both devices are on the same Apple ID, have Handoff on, and are within Bluetooth range. Also make sure the iPad is unlocked and awake.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →