Autoconnect iMac's trackpad and keyboard to device from which airplayed to iMac
I use iMac as a secondary monitor for my MacBook from which I use AirPlay to it. iMac Has external keyboard and trackpad, those become useless since airplay is started, I want them to connect to MacBook which is used as primary display for iMac.
Is there way to make it happen?
Short answer: no, macOS can’t automatically “pass through” an iMac’s keyboard and trackpad to a MacBook when the iMac is being used as an AirPlay display. AirPlay is strictly a display-and-audio protocol; it doesn’t forward HID (keyboard/mouse/trackpad) input to the source Mac. Once AirPlay starts, the iMac remains its own computer, so its accessories stay paired to the iMac and won’t control the MacBook.
That said, there are workable alternatives, depending on how seamless you want things to feel. The most practical Apple-native option is Universal Control. When both Macs are signed into the same Apple Account, on the same network, and have Bluetooth enabled, you can move the pointer from the MacBook onto the iMac (or vice versa) and use one keyboard and trackpad across both machines.
If you specifically want the iMac’s keyboard and trackpad to control the MacBook, you basically have three options:
2. Use a software KVM which forwards input over the network.
3. Use a hardware USB/Bluetooth switch to toggle the accessories between Macs.
Short answer: no, macOS can’t automatically “pass through” an iMac’s keyboard and trackpad to a MacBook when the iMac is being used as an AirPlay display. AirPlay is strictly a display-and-audio protocol; it doesn’t forward HID (keyboard/mouse/trackpad) input to the source Mac. Once AirPlay starts, the iMac remains its own computer, so its accessories stay paired to the iMac and won’t control the MacBook.
That said, there are workable alternatives, depending on how seamless you want things to feel. The most practical Apple-native option is Universal Control. When both Macs are signed into the same Apple Account, on the same network, and have Bluetooth enabled, you can move the pointer from the MacBook onto the iMac (or vice versa) and use one keyboard and trackpad across both machines.
If you specifically want the iMac’s keyboard and trackpad to control the MacBook, you basically have three options:
2. Use a software KVM which forwards input over the network.
3. Use a hardware USB/Bluetooth switch to toggle the accessories between Macs.
you can suggest for it to come in the future by using their feedback channels
Thank you, I know AirPlay isn’t meant to work like that, but universal control works so the only thing that’s needed is to not to stop it once AirPlay is stated on the device.
hope this would come in the future.
thanks for suggestions once again
You're very welcome!
Connect iMac accessories to MacBook via AirPlay display
