I don't understand how Universal Control works.

Let me explain:


I own a Macbook Air M1

And a 2017 iMac + a second monitor

Both are compatible with Universal Control and both are upgraded to OS Ventura 13.5.1


When I go to Universal Control on both the Macbook and iMac, I actually see the option to share my mouse and keyboard but I don't find the Macbook display inside the iMac Universal Control and viceversa. I am just able to use AirDisplay on my iMac to use my Macbook Air as Display and I'm not interested to it. 


I would like to use the iMac's keyboard and Magic Mouse with my Macbook just as I am doing right now using a KVM (which is not Apple native so it is slow).


Is this something that is possible? I don't want to pay $60 to buy Synergy 3, it seems like a waste of time having only apple products in my house.


I also want to mention that Universal Control works perfectly between my Macbook Air M1 and my iPad, but it does not work between my Macbook and my iMac.


MacBook Air 13″

Posted on Sep 3, 2023 5:28 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 3, 2023 9:40 PM

My guess is that you need to go into the Advanced… dialog on both of the computers, and turn on "“Allow your pointer and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad" on both of the computers, before the Displays Settings screens will change to show the two screens and let you tell the Macs about the physical arrangement.


Similar questions

16 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 3, 2023 9:40 PM in response to eryuga

My guess is that you need to go into the Advanced… dialog on both of the computers, and turn on "“Allow your pointer and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad" on both of the computers, before the Displays Settings screens will change to show the two screens and let you tell the Macs about the physical arrangement.


Sep 3, 2023 5:40 AM in response to eryuga

Universal Control is just keyboard and mouse. It has nothing to do with display sharing. You can control two Macs with the single set of keyboard/mouse/trackpad.

iOS and macOS can use Sidecar to use an iPad as an extended display.

Universal Control: Use a single keyboard and mouse between Mac and iPad - Apple Support

Use an iPad as a second display for a Mac - Apple Support


Sep 3, 2023 10:45 AM in response to eryuga

eryuga wrote:

"Until you confirm that you have connected to the other Mac, it won't have any chance of seeing it in the arrangement section."

How do I confirm this if inside the "Display > Organize Multiple Displays" section of my iMac I can't find my Macbook? I am able to see it just if I press on "+" and there I see "Extend to Macbook Air Display using AirPlay".


Exactly as it says in the instructions. Move your cursor to the side of the display and you will see it bump into the other display. Continue moving the cursor until you have moved it onto the other Mac’s display. None of that has anything to do with the Displays system preferences.

Sep 3, 2023 9:52 PM in response to Barney-15E

No, I have already tried several times to contact apple's support and it is virtually nonexistent. In any case, I solved it and no thanks to you. My macs work perfectly and I am currently using Universal Control on my iMac + Macbook Air + iPad without any problems. The solution was to disconnect from all iCloud devices and log in again. I thank MacRumors for the help and the user below (Servant of Cats) who helped me out. Good luck, "turd."

Sep 3, 2023 6:30 AM in response to eryuga

As I stated, Universal Control has nothing to do with displays.

It doesn't matter how many times you say it, you have to follow the instructions to enable Universal Control.

Did you do what it says in the "Connect Your Devices" section? Once that is complete, you can then see the other Mac display and Arrange them.

If you cannot connect them, make sure all of the Additional Requirements are met.

Sep 3, 2023 7:21 AM in response to eryuga

eryuga wrote:

Okay, we have a problem. Where did I talk about Display and Display extension? I am not interested in using my Macbook screen as a second display. I am interested in the Universal Control feature to use my iMac's keyboard and mouse on my Macbook. Is this possible or not?

I have read every guide I can and have done everything corectly, or at least I think so. I have all the requirements but I still don't see my Macbook screen inside my iMac when I go to "Arrange Display"

I pointed out the part of the instructions necessary to see your other Mac in the Displays System Preferences. Until you confirm that you have connected to the other Mac, it won't have any chance in **** of seeing it in the arrangement section.

We have no ability to see what you have done or what the result. You have to positively confirm the step where the process failed, not "I have followed all of the instructions."

Sep 3, 2023 5:51 AM in response to Barney-15E

This is the third time I have explained it.


I don't care to use my Macbook as a second screen on my iMac. AirPlay allows me to do that but I don't care.


I care about using Universal Control the way it was intended: that is, using the mouse and keyboard of my iMac inside my Macbook. Is this possible?


See? No iMac Display in my Macbook Arrange Display.

Same on my iMac. No Macbook display.

Sep 3, 2023 6:50 AM in response to Barney-15E

Okay, we have a problem. Where did I talk about Display and Display extension? I am not interested in using my Macbook screen as a second display. I am interested in the Universal Control feature to use my iMac's keyboard and mouse on my Macbook. Is this possible or not?


I have read every guide I can and have done everything corectly, or at least I think so. I have all the requirements but I still don't see my Macbook screen inside my iMac when I go to "Arrange Display"

Sep 3, 2023 7:42 AM in response to Barney-15E

"Until you confirm that you have connected to the other Mac, it won't have any chance of seeing it in the arrangement section."


How do I confirm this if inside the "Display > Organize Multiple Displays" section of my iMac I can't find my Macbook? I am able to see it just if I press on "+" and there I see "Extend to Macbook Air Display using AirPlay".



Sep 3, 2023 8:42 PM in response to eryuga

eryuga wrote:

Eheh. Thanks anyway, your help was extraordinarily useful. Really. And of course, I will contact Apple Support. Everyone knows Apple Support is the best Support ever.

You can act like a turd, or you can contact the people that might actually be able to talk to the software engineers, and fix the problem that you are experiencing. It’s obviously broken, for you anyway, and probably others. All of us users don’t have any ability to fix the code that’s broken.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

I don't understand how Universal Control works.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.