Universal Control - Keyboard + Mouse set-up

Salutations Olivier Nguyen-Van-Tan, 

Let’s begin by using the information from the following article to use a single keyboard and mouse to control up to two other nearby Mac or iPad devices, and work seamlessly between them. Universal Control: Use a single keyboard and mouse between Mac and iPad

Turn on Universal Control

Before continuing, make sure that each device meets the Universal Control system requirements, including that each is signed in with the same Apple ID, and Universal Control is turned on.

On your Mac

1. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Displays.

2. Click the Universal Control button at the bottom of the preferences window.

3. Select “Allow your pointer and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad.” Leave the other two settings selected for now.

Connect your devices

After turning on Universal Control, you can connect (link) each device:

1. Put your devices near each other and make sure that they're awake and unlocked.

2. Use your mouse or trackpad to move the pointer past the left or right edge of your screen in the general direction of the iPad or other Mac, even if the other device is positioned below your screen. You can arrange your displays more precisely later.

3. As you move the pointer past the edge of the screen, the other device shows the pointer beginning to push through to its screen. To connect to that device, push the pointer all the way through.

Thanks. 

I don't understand why the laptop has to be the "master". I think you are overcomplicating things needlessly.

If you want to use the keyboard and mouse from the iMac, just do it. Use the iMac as the "master" and that's it.

Hi Olivier Nguyen-Van-Tan,

Just to confirm, do you meet all the requirements?

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Universal Control system requirements

Universal Control works with the following devices and operating systems. It requires one Mac and up to two other of these Mac or iPad devices. 

macOS Monterey 12.4 or later

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

Additional requirements

• Each device must be signed in with the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication. Universal Control does not support Managed Apple IDs.
• Each device must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoffturned on. 
• Your iPad must not be sharing its cellular connection and your Mac must not be sharing its internet connection.

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Take care.

You are missing the point about what Universal Control does.

You are not adding one mac ad an extra display for the other. They are working as two separate machines. The point is to use one keyboard and mouse to control either of them, just by moving the pointer to either side. Thus it should be irrelevant which computer has the keyboard and mouse attached.

Olivier Nguyen-Van-Tan,

Thanks for confirming. In that case, the next step will be to Contact Apple Support directly for further assistance.

Cheers.