Universal Control Not Functioning? How to Resolve on Mac/iPad

Have you experienced the issue of Universal Control not working on your Mac or iPad? Here are some potential solutions to try:

Translation into English:

Why isn't Universal Control working on macOS and iPadOS?

< a href="/knowledge-center/apple-universal-control.html">Apple Universal Control< /a> is an indispensable feature that facilitates seamless and intuitive communication between an iPad and a Mac. Do you often juggle multiple Apple devices for multitasking? If so, chances are you've already leveraged the power of Universal Control!

Need assistance in getting Universal Control to work between macOS and iPad? While this feature generally functions smoothly, there might be instances when you encounter difficulties in operating with the nearby device. Since the issue of Universal Control not functioning can arise at any time, it's essential to understand the potential reasons, listed below:

1. Your devices are not using the same Apple ID. It is common for Apple devices to be signed into separate accounts.

2. The devices have a software bug. A few software issues could prevent Universal Control from working correctly.

3. Inconsistency with Universal Control on Apple devices: This suggests that you might be using an older iPad or macOS version. Alternatively, you haven't updated the operating system. Furthermore, not all Mac devices are compatible with Universal Control, which could result in the "Universal Control not working" issue. It requires iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3 for optimal performance. Here are the supported devices:

• MacBook Air (2018 and later)
• MacBook Pro (2016 & later)
• MacBook (2016 & later)
• iMac Pro
• iMac (2017 & later)
• Mac Mini (2018 & newer versions)

Would you like to learn more about Universal Control? We've outlined the main steps in a video to help you understand how to use it on your Mac and iPad:

• 00:23 Go to "Universal Control" in System Preferences.
• 00:27 Check all the boxes to select them, then click "Done."
• 00:35 On the iPad, go to Settings, choose General, and tap AirPlay & Handoff.
• 00:41 Toggle on the keyboard and cursor.

Now that you understand the reason behind this issue, it's time to learn how to fix Universal Control not functioning on macOS/ipadOS. Let's dive in!

How to Resolve the Universal Control Not Working Issue [6 Solutions]

通常，Universal Control 是一个与多台设备配合得非常好的便捷功能。但如果你发现这个功能在 macOS 上运行缓慢，你可以通过以下修复解决方案来解决这个问题：

Method 1: How to Activate Universal Control on macOS/iPadOS

Enabling Universal Control on iPadOS and macOS is a seamless process. However, you need to follow the setup steps on each iPad and macOS device you wish to access with Universal Control swiftly.

How to enable Universal Control on iPadOS: 1. Ensure that both your Mac and iPad are signed in with the same Apple ID and are updated to the latest versions of their respective operating systems (iPadOS 15.4 or later for iPad and macOS Monterey 12.3 or later for Mac). 2. On your iPad, go to the Home screen and swipe up from the bottom of the display (or swipe down from the top-right corner if using an iPad with Face ID). 3. Tap on the "Settings" app. 4. In the Settings app, scroll down and tap on "General." 5. Within the General settings, find and select "接力 (Handoff & AirPlay)." 6. Toggle the switch next to "Universal Control" to the right to enable it. It should turn green when activated. 7. On your Mac, click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and select "System Preferences" from the dropdown menu. 8. In System Preferences, click on " Displays" or "Keyboard" (depending on your macOS version). 9. Look for the "Universal Control" option in the sidebar or within the "Sharing" section. Click the checkbox next to it to activate it. 10. Once enabled, place your iPad close to your Mac, and the cursor will automatically transition between devices. You can now control both devices with a single mouse or trackpad. Note: For the best experience, ensure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and are in close proximity to each other.

Step 1. Go to Settings to ensure that Universal Control is enabled.

Step 2. After that, select General.

Step 3. Turn on the cursor and keyboard.

How to enable Universal Control on macOS: 1. Ensure that both your Mac and your other Apple device (another Mac or an iPad) are signed in with the same Apple ID and are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. 2. On your Mac, click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select "System Preferences." 3. In the System Preferences window, click on " Displays" or "Keyboard," depending on your macOS version. 4. If you see a tab called "Universal Control," click on it. If not, look for an option labeled "Sharing" and click on it. 5. In the Universal Control section, toggle the switch next to "Universal Control" to the ON position. It should turn green when enabled. 6. On your other Apple device, follow similar steps to access the corresponding settings. For another Mac, go to "System Preferences" > " Displays" or "Keyboard," and for an iPad, go to "Settings" > "General" > "Handoff & Suggested Apps." 7. Enable Universal Control on the other device by turning on the respective switch. 8. Once activated, you should be able to move your cursor from one device to another seamlessly. The devices will automatically detect each other when they are close and in range. Note: Universal Control is available on macOS Monterey or later and requires both devices to be running compatible versions of macOS or iPadOS.

Step 1. On macOS, go to the Apple menu.

Step 2. Go to Settings (Ventura)/System Preferences (Monterey) > Displays > Advanced/Universal Control, and check the boxes to activate this feature.

Step 3. Arrange the iPad and Mac displays on the Mac and the Displays preference panel. It's recommended to mirror the physical setup of your workspace.

Step 4. To add more devices to this Universal Control, go to the bottom left corner, pull down the menu from the Mac's Display system preference panel, and select "Add Display."

Step 5. Select the additional iPad or Mac you want to add under "Link Keyboard and Mouse".

Step 6. The "Universal Control" feature is now enabled. To move the cursor from your Mac to other devices, simply drag it to the corner of your screen and continue pushing it until it appears on the display of your iPad or another Mac.

Need assistance helping your friends enable Universal Control on their Mac? Share this passage to guide them!

2. Enable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff on Apple Devices

Now that Universal Control is enabled on your device, you'll need to activate Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff to resolve the issue of Universal Control not functioning properly. To turn on these features on your Mac and iPad, follow the steps below: For Mac: 1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen. 2. Select "System Preferences" from the dropdown menu. 3. Click on "Network" to enable Wi-Fi if it's not already on. 4. In the same System Preferences, click on "Bluetooth" and ensure it's turned on. 5. Still in System Preferences, click on "General". 6. Check the box next to "Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices" if it's not already selected. For iPad: 1. Tap the "Settings" app on your home screen. 2. Toggle on the "Wi-Fi" switch to enable Wi-Fi connectivity. 3. Scroll down and tap "Bluetooth" to turn it on. 4. Under the "General" tab in Settings, scroll down and tap "Handoff & Apple Watch". 5. Ensure the "Handoff" switch is enabled. After completing these steps, your Mac and iPad should be properly connected, and Universal Control should work as intended.

How to enable Wi-Fi on a Mac:

Step 1. Click on the Wi-Fi symbol located in the top menu bar.

Step 2. Turn on the Wi-Fi.

How to enable Bluetooth on a Mac:

Step 1. Go to the Apple menu.

Step 2. Click on "System Preferences".

Step 3. Choose Bluetooth.

Step 4. If it says Bluetooth: Off in the left panel, click the button to turn on Bluetooth.

How to enable Wi-Fi on iPad:

Step 1. Go to Settings.

Step 2. Press the Wi-Fi button.

Step 3. Turn on Wi-Fi.

How to enable Bluetooth on iPad:

Step 1. Open Settings.

Step 2. Go to Bluetooth.

Step 3. Turn on Bluetooth.

How to enable Handoff on iPad/Mac:

Follow these steps to enable Handoff on your iPad and Mac:

Step 1. Go to Settings on your iPad.

Step 2. Choose General.

Step 3. Tap AirPlay & Handoff.

Step 4. Turn off the cursor and keyboard.

Step 5. Turn it back on.

3. Adjust Firewall Settings on Mac to Resolve Universal Control Issues

Another frequent cause of the Universal Control not working issue relates to firewall settings. Firewalls block unauthorized incoming connections, and in certain cases, they may interfere with the iPad's Universal Control functionality. To check if your firewall is enabled, follow these steps:

Step 1. Go to System Settings.

Step 2. Select Network.

Step 3. Select Firewall.

Generally, a firewall is a reliable security measure that should be enabled unless it causes issues with the functionalities or applications you utilize.

4. Disable Antivirus Software and VPN for Troubleshooting

If you've made changes to your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings, it's advisable to check which network configurations might be interfering with Universal Control functioning correctly. It's possible that a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is enabled on your MacBook Pro. Therefore, disabling the VPN is essential. To turn off the VPN on your MacBook, follow these steps:

Step 1. Access the System Settings.

Step 2. Choose Network.

Step 3. Choose VPN and turn it off by toggling the switch.

How to Disable VPN on iPad:

Step 1. Go to Settings.

Step 2. Select VPN, and disable it.

How to disable antivirus on a Mac:

Step 1. Access the Spotlight search box using the Mac Spotlight shortcut.

Step 2. Type the name of the antivirus.

Step 3. Tap the antivirus icon, and it will promptly open.

Step 4. Click the "Disable" button once its interface appears on the screen.

Step 5. Tap on it, and confirm your preference by tapping OK.

5. Manually Add a Display on Mac When Universal Control is Not Working

You can manually set up an external display on your Mac or wirelessly connect your Mac to other devices, such as specific Smart TVs or another MacBook, and use them as additional displays. Here's how: 1. Connect the External Display: - Connect your Mac to an external monitor using an appropriate cable, such as HDMI or Thunderbolt, depending on your Mac's available ports. - Once connected, the external display should automatically turn on or be detected by your Mac. 2. Configure Display Settings: - Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences." - Click on "Displays" to access the display settings. - If you have multiple displays connected, you'll see a representation of each display. You can arrange them by dragging the white rectangle representing your Mac's screen to the desired position relative to the external display. 3. Use AirPlay for Wireless Connection: - Ensure both your Mac and the target device (e.g., a Smart TV or another MacBook) are on the same Wi-Fi network. - On your Mac, click on the AirPlay icon in the menu bar, which looks like a square with an upward-facing triangle inside. - From the AirPlay options, select the device you want to use as a display. - Choose whether you want to mirror your Mac's screen or extend it to the additional display. 4. For Smart TVs: - Check your Smart TV's user manual for instructions on how to enable screen mirroring or AirPlay (if supported). - Follow the steps above for using AirPlay to connect your Mac to the Smart TV. Remember that not all devices support wireless display connection, and compatibility may vary. Always consult your device's documentation for specific instructions.

Step 1. Choose the Apple menu.

Step 2. Click on System Settings.

Step 3. Click the Display icon in the sidebar.

Step 4. Tap the pop-up icon to the right of your Mac's name.

Step 5. Finally, choose "Add display."

6. Restart Your Mac Devices to Fix Universal Control

Restarting is the most effective way to revitalize your sluggish MacBook. When the operating system encounters bugs or unresponsive functionalities, forcibly restarting your Mac and iPad can be highly beneficial. Here's how to proceed:

How to restart a Mac device: 1. Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of the screen. 2. From the drop-down menu, select "Restart." 3. A dialog box may appear asking you to confirm the action; click "Restart" again. 4. Your Mac will now begin shutting down and then automatically start up again. For a force restart (in case of a frozen screen or unresponsive system): 1. Press and hold the "Command + Control + Power" buttons simultaneously. 2. Release all buttons when the Mac starts to restart. 3. The Mac will power off and then turn back on. Note: Force restarting should be used as a last resort, as it doesn't allow for a proper shutdown, which can lead to data loss or other issues.

Step 1. Restart your MacBook Pro/Air normally by following this guide.

Step 2. Press and hold the Shift button.

Step 3. Release the button when the login window appears.

Step 4. Log in to your device.

Step 5. If you're prompted to log in again, do so.

How to restart an iPad:

Step 1. Keep pressing the volume and power button together.

Step 2. Let go of the keys until you see the Apple logo.

Step 3. Your iPad should restart now.

How to Retrieve Lost Data on Mac Due to Universal Control

After following the steps above, you should have resolved the issue with Universal Control not functioning. If, while fixing this error or other problems like the MacBook Pro touch bar not working, you experienced data loss, a professional data recovery tool can assist you in retrieving your data promptly!

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is an all-in-one data recovery solution that can retrieve various types of lost data due to accidental deletion, from the emptied Trash Bin, and more.

The standard data loss scenarios are as follows, which necessitated the use of this professional tool:

• Recover the unmounted hard drive on Mac.
• Retrieve lost data when encountering an operation error.
• Recover formatted hard drives on Mac, as well as formatted external hard drives.
• Restore lost files and folders after repartitioning.
• Recover lost data if you accidentally restore macOS Ventura/Monterey.

You can perform photo, video, and backup recovery using this Mac file recovery system. Download the tool Data Recovery Wizard for Mac now and follow these steps to retrieve your data:

Step 1. Choose the location to scan

Open the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac and select the hard drive, SSD, SD card, USB flash drive, or TF card from which you've lost data. Click "Search for lost files" to initiate the scanning process.

Important: Before proceeding with data recovery, it's recommended to click "Disk Backup" from the left panel to create a backup of your Mac to prevent any potential further data loss. Once the backup is done, the software can retrieve data from the backup, and your computer can then write new data again.

Step 2. Filter Lost Mac Data

The software will automatically scan for lost data on your MacBook/iMac. Upon completion of the scan, filter the desired data using the "Type" and "Path" buttons.

Step 3. Recover Lost Data or Files

Double-click a file to preview it. Then, click the "Recover" button to restore the lost data to another location.

Summary: This text provides a brief overview or summary of the content, which could be a document, article, or any other form of information. The purpose of a summary is to condense the main points and key details into a concise version, allowing readers to quickly grasp the essence without reading the entire source material.

Apple aims to make its users' lives straightforward and hassle-free. Universal Control is one of the many features that Apple device users can incorporate into their daily routine to enjoy seamless usage.

Working with these cutting-edge features can be exhilarating when they function as intended. However, occasionally, technological glitches may occur. While these issues can be immensely frustrating, they are often resolvable using the remedies mentioned earlier.

Most of the time, all that's required is a basic understanding of the common issues and which solutions to attempt when resolving them. If data has been lost in the process of fixing this error, it's advisable to download a tool like Data Recovery Wizard for Mac.

"Universal Control Not Working" FAQs

Refer to the following frequently asked questions (FAQs) for a better understanding of the "Universal Control Not Working" error:

1. Can I perform a factory reset on my Mac to get Universal Control working again?

Performing a factory reset on your Mac will erase all content and settings, eliminating all files, configurations, applications, profiles, and other details. If you're experiencing the issue of Universal Control not working, you can opt to execute a factory reset on your Mac.

2. Why isn't Universal Control working on macOS?

The primary reason for Universal Control not functioning on macOS is an outdated operating system version. Universal Control requires a compatible OS version to operate effectively. Outdated OS versions are incompatible with Universal Control, thus necessitating an update to ensure proper functionality.

3. Does macOS 12.3 include Universal Control?

With the release of iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3, Universal Control was introduced to the public. This feature enables the seamless control of two or three Apple devices using a single mouse and keyboard, facilitating file transfer between them, and effectively functioning as an integrated, extended computing environment.

4. How to resolve issues with Universal Control not functioning on iPad?

To resolve the issue of Universal Control not functioning, you can enable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff on your iPad.