Universal Control vs. Sidecar: What's the Difference?

[chrisf60647]

Very much looking forward to UC. I've used Synergy (laggy), Sharemouse (lag) and Barrier (the best of the bunch but my company blocks it) so to have an integrated option like UC is going to be very welcome!

 

[Lucas Curious]

I always wanted an Apple quality external Monitor at a fair price to sit above my new MacBook Pro for dual screens and sharp text. So I guess now I can get the iMac 24 and use it as a monitor for the MacBook?

 

[SSDGUY]

That’s exactly what Sidecar does not allow you to do. Sidecar is just a monitor for the Mac, you are still using macOS. What you describe is Universal Control: move a PDF file to an iPad, draw on it with an Apple Pencil, move it back to the Mac. (and yes, you can do the same by opening a PDF file from iCloud on the iPad, draw on it, save it, open it on a Mac).

Hmm … you sure? In this video talks a lot about using the apple pencil on iPad for Photoshop via sidecar/Mac OS.

 

[SDJim]

I have looked at battery-powered external monitors before for when I'm traveling but need to work. Sidecar is going to be so clutch now that I have an iPad!

 

[Joniz]

That’s exactly what Sidecar does not allow you to do. Sidecar is just a monitor for the Mac, you are still using macOS.

Actually, that’s exactly what Sidecar does; make your iPad into a pen display, which is just a monitor on your computer that you can draw on using Mac software.

Only problem is, Sidecar kind of stinks as a pen display. Too laggy & glitchy.

 

[GlassFingers]

Is it possible to draw something on procreate on iPad… and then just drag and drop it right into Final Cut Pro without having to go through an “export” step?

 

[travelsheep]

I can't use Sidecar because I have to use different Apple IDs on my MacBook and iPad (so that my kid's friends can use my iPad when they come visit). Bummer!

 

[hatchettjack]

This is a game changer for me! When I’m on my MacBook I can quickly control my music, podcasts and YouTube on my iPad!

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

Just like any other new software feature from Apple, it’s third party app support that will make or break Universal Control.

 

[efktd]

Can I use an application on my MacBook Pro, say Ableton, and drag that to my iMac display for better real estate while using my iMac's keyboard and mouse?

 

[subjonas]

I have to say, I still don't get it. What it is I'm going to do on an iPad with the keyboard and mouse of a MacBook (for instance) that I wouldn't, let alone prefer, to do on the MacBook itself. Hmmmmm! I'm sure this is something to have in front of me to see its value but looking from the outside I straight don't get it.

I don't think this feature will be used much. The initial THATS COOL will wear out.

I would be more excited to run IOS Apps on my Mac. downloaded and installed from anywhere.

Like Android apps and Windows 11.

Yeah I'm kinda racking my brain to think of how I would use this. iPad is mostly a portable extension of what I do w/ my desktop, ie. email, web browsing, text documents, etc. If my desktop keyboard and mouse (which I prefer) are available to say compose an email or document, I'm really not needing iPad OS. Sidecar on the other hand … I'm looking forward to trying that out, ie iPad as a drawing tablet for desktop apps.

^this.

And also, sidecar needs to be refined quit a bit. It's way too "hidden" currently. And a pain to use on a consistent basis. Both UC and SC could be much more, if given a little bit more love by the dev team.

Technically interesting, for sure. But it seems like a rather niche feature. I suspect the majority people will try it a few times and then forget about it completely.

I use a MacBook for work and an iPad on the side for certain personal tasks and background entertainment. Sidecar could be just as sufficient as UC (Universal Control) and in some cases more useful, but there are potential benefits to using UC instead:
- No having to turn on the feature and arrange windows; UC is just there to use.
- You have the option of using touch along with the Mac’s keyboard, rather than mouse, which can be faster and easier for short interactions.
- Some apps may be available only on the iPad, or more readily available on the iPad (ie. cheaper), or are better experiences on the iPad for one reason or another.
- You can drag and drop files between the devices whenever file transfers are needed.
- Resources are not shared, so if one device is under load, it does not affect the other.
- One may just prefer using iPadOS in certain situations.

 

[badgnarly]

Note that Universal Control requires at least one Mac to use. For example, you can't just use it between two iPads.

I‘ve wondered about using Universal Control between two iPads since the feature was announced. Though the above quote is true…there’s a trick if you only want to use UC between 2 iPads. Once the connection has been established between my MacBook Pro and my iPads, I simply turn my MacBook Pro off, or close it. The connection then only exists between the two iPads, until one of their screens dim. It works great! It’d be really nice if this feature could one day work between iPads without needing a Mac for the initial setup, though this workaround is easy enough for now.

 

[brilliantthings]

I use my iPad Pro 11 on a HoverBar Duo so that its display is above my MBA's display which is on my desk. I'd love to arrange UC so that the iPad is directly above the MBA. Not beside it. Is anyone else wanting this?

 

[brilliantthings]

Also, I'd love the screen with the pointer to be made the active window. Now I move pointer symbol from MBA to iPad but when I "Cmd + Tab" the applications switcher is still activated on MBA (not iPad).

 

[ursbraem]

Wait.. I upgraded to macOS 12.3 and now I get this option to Mirror or extend the primary display to a second mac. Is that related to Universal control? Or sidecar mac-mac?

It does what I'd expect (I can finally move developer tools to the 2nd mac's screen, due to lack of an iPad) but although the macs are connected with a thunderbolt cable the display is a tad laggy. Seems to work via wifi.

 

[The Game 161]

wasn't expecting to love universal control as much as I do got to admit.

 

[KDLM]

From this article, "there doesn't appear to be a limit to how many devices you can control using just the one keyboard and trackpad/mouse". I have to disagree. I can add two of my iPads and use them with my M1 Max MacBook Pro and Universal Control. However, if I try to add a third iPad, Mac OS prompts me to disconnect one of my connected devices. Note: I am trying this with three iPads that can all be connected successfully independently, so they are all compatible. All of my software is up-to-date on all devices. If anyone has had different results, please let me know.