Explained: What is Apple’s Universal Control feature, benefits of using it and more

One of the main bones of contention with using an iPad is multitasking. With each passing version of the iPadOS, Apple has made several changes and multitasking much easier. One such change or feature is Universal Control, which makes it easier to work seamlessly on an iPad and a Mac together. Here we explain what is Universal Control and how it helps
What is Universal Control?
Simply put, Universal Control is a feature that allows you to seamlessly control multiple devices using a single keyboard and mouse or trackpad. The whole idea of the feature is to make it easier to work across multiple devices, such as a MacBook and an iPad, without having to constantly switch between them.
How does Universal Control work?
The way Universal Control works is by using the iPad’s built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and hands-off technology to connect to a MacBook, iMac, or other Mac device. Once connected, the iPad becomes a second screen for the Mac, allowing you to easily move your cursor and windows between the devices. You can also use your iPad as a touchpad for your Mac, allowing you to navigate and interact with your Mac using touch gestures.
To use Universal Control, you first need to make sure that your iPad and Mac are on the same network and that Bluetooth is enabled on both devices.
Once the devices are paired, you’ll be able to move your cursor seamlessly between the iPad and Mac, and you can even drag and drop text, images, and files between the devices.
Benefits of using Universal Control
Universal Control is a powerful feature that can help you work more efficiently and effectively across multiple devices. There are quite a few benefits of using the Universal Control feature. Here we list some of them:

A second screen for Mac

One of the main benefits of Universal Control is that it allows you to use your iPad as a second screen for your Mac. This can be especially helpful when you’re working on a project that requires a lot of screen real estate, such as video editing or graphic design. By using your iPad as a second screen, you can keep all of your tools and windows in one place, which can save time and make your workflow more efficient.

A touchpad for Mac
Another benefit of Universal Control is that it allows you to use your iPad as a touchpad for your Mac. This can be especially helpful when you’re working on a project that requires a lot of precision, such as photo editing or coding. By using your iPad as a touchpad, you can navigate and interact with your Mac using touch gestures, which can be more intuitive and natural than using a traditional mouse or trackpad.
Share images quickly between iPad and Mac
Universal Control also allows you to share your clipboard between your devices, which makes it easy to copy and paste text, images, and files between your iPad and Mac. This can come in handy when you’re working on a project that requires you to transfer a lot of information between devices, such as a research paper or a presentation.

Things to keep in mind

Universal Control feature is available for iPads running iPadOS 14 and above and Macs running macOS 11.0 (Big Sur) and above.