I really don't understand how Universal Control works

[ryugae]

Let me explain:

I own a Macbook Air M1 with Ventura 13.5.1

And a 2017 iMac with the same Ventura 13.5.1 + a second Display

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 Extended Display but 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.


I have the same problem as this user: https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/444934/universal-control-not-working-on-two-macbook-pros

This is what I see in my iMac when I press on "Arrange Displays". As you can see, no Macbook Air at all, just my iMac and my second HDMI Display. I tried everything but no ways to fix this.

And here you can see how I can a actually use my Macbook Air just for Duplication or Extend.

 

[chabig]

Universal Control doesn't work between two Macs–just between Macs and iPads.

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

Use the keyboard, mouse, or trackpad of your Mac to control up to two other nearby Mac or iPad devices, and work seamlessly between them.

support.apple.com

You can use Screen Sharing to control your MacBook from the iMac.

Share the screen of another Mac

On your Mac, use the Screen Sharing app to view and control the screen of another Mac on your network.

support.apple.com

 

[Mike Boreham]

Universal Control doesn't work between two Macs–just between Macs and iPads.

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

Use the keyboard, mouse, or trackpad of your Mac to control up to two other nearby Mac or iPad devices, and work seamlessly between them.

support.apple.com

Thisnt isn’t true as per the link you have given:

“Use the keyboard, mouse, or trackpad of your Mac to control up to two other nearby Mac or iPad devices, and work seamlessly between them”.

 

[chabig]

Not true as per the link you have given.

You're correct, and I'm sorry. I only read the title.

Are the two machines sitting next to each other? Proximity is a factor. They need to be within about 1m of each other. If that still doesn't work, Apple recommend turning Universal Control off, restart each device, and then turn it on again.

 

[ryugae]

I tried everything. Now my last chance would be to disconnect iCloud from all devices and start again.
I really don't understand...

 

[chabig]

Yeah. I wish I could help more. During the Apple demonstrations I've seen and the times I've used it with my MacBook and iPad, I had the two machines side by side. Unfortunately I don't have two Macs to play with.

Just going back to the requirements, confirm that you have Handoff turned on. Also, one user on the stackexchange thread you linked had success after he changed his iCloud account password. That's not very difficult to do. I change mine yearly.

 

[ryugae]

Yeah. I wish I could help more. During the Apple demonstrations I've seen and the times I've used it with my MacBook and iPad, I had the two machines side by side. Unfortunately I don't have two Macs to play with.

Just going back to the requirements, confirm that you have Handoff turned on. Also, one user on the stackexchange thread you linked had success after he changed his iCloud account password. That's not very difficult to do. I change mine yearly.

Thank you very much for helping me, my friend.
I tried logging out from iCloud both in my iMac and Macbook but still not look.
I can't just see my Macbook display inside "Arrange Displays" option in my iMac.
This doesn't make any sense...

 

[chabig]

Since you don't see the MacBook screen, I have to assume they aren't "connected". Pay particular attention to steps 2 and 3. Once connected, you'll see the MacBook display in settings and you can rearrange them.

 

[ryugae]

Since you don't see the MacBook screen, I have to assume they aren't "connected". Pay particular attention to steps 2 and 3. Once connected, you'll see the MacBook display in settings and you can rearrange them.

View attachment 2254738Oh my god. I love you. It worked. What... how? It doesn't make sense. I just pushed the pointer randomly in my left display corner and it appeared in my macbook..

 

[winxmac]

Are they using the same iCloud account? I don't have Ventura installed nor do I use Universal Control but just a thing you might want to check...

 

[CraigJDuffy]

Yeah. I wish I could help more. During the Apple demonstrations I've seen and the times I've used it with my MacBook and iPad, I had the two machines side by side. Unfortunately I don't have two Macs to play with.

Just going back to the requirements, confirm that you have Handoff turned on. Also, one user on the stackexchange thread you linked had success after he changed his iCloud account password. That's not very difficult to do. I change mine yearly.

Can confirm I am able to control my Mac mini with my MacBook Air via universal control.

 

[perterojanpera]

Yeah you could do