Universal Control with Multiple Users in Ventura

[mnsportsgeek]

It seems to be well known that Universal Control does not work when two users are signed into a mac at the same time.

For example, if my wife and I are signed into MacOS, and I try to use Universal Control with my iPad it will not work. As soon as I sign out of my wife's MacOS account then universal control works fine.

Does anyone know if this is fixed in Ventura?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

That’s how it supposed to work…you need to be signed into the same Apple ID on all devices you want using it.

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

Additional requirements​

• Each device must be signed in with the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication. Universal Control does not support Managed Apple IDs.
• Each device must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff turned on.
• Your iPad must not be sharing its cellular connection and your Mac must not be sharing its internet connection.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

That’s how it supposed to work…you need to be signed into the same Apple ID on all devices you want using it.

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

Additional requirements​

• Each device must be signed in with the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication. Universal Control does not support Managed Apple IDs.
• Each device must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff turned on.
• Your iPad must not be sharing its cellular connection and your Mac must not be sharing its internet connection.

That’s not what I’m talking about.

MacOS supports fast user switching. If you are signed in to multiple users and actively using the same account that is linked to your iPad, universal control will not work because a secondary user is signed in (but not active).

Universal Control only works if only 1 user is signed in.

Which seems awfully shortsighted. Handoff works fine with multiple users.

 

[chaines]

Yeah, I am finding this problem too. When I have multiple users logged into the iMac at the same time, universal control gets flakey. The only way it works well is if only one user is logged into the Mac at a time. So if you have fast user switching enabled, Universal Control is flakey. And this is with each user on the Mac is using their own Apple ID.

 

[DisraeliGears]

I'll echo this problem and would love to hear if someone with the Ventura beta could test it. My wife and I share a Mac mini, and if we're both logged in, Universal Control doesn't work. If I reboot and just sign into my account, it works flawlessly.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Anyone on Ventura notice the same condition?

 

[ucfgoofy]

I'm running Ventura and unfortunately have the same frustrating experience as described above, just like with Monterey. From my experience, there's no change at all.