Universal Control without iCloud, but signed in to Apple ID on both devices?

[MonstaMash]

Can Universal Control work with a device that is signed in with the same Apple ID but not iCloud? I read Apple's support document on Universal Control and there's no mention of iCloud, just needing both devices to be signed on to the same Apple ID - https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT212757

Since the device I am looking to use my keyboard and mouse with is my work MacBook, I do not want to sign on to my personal iCloud account. However, when I go to Settings > Apple ID I am correctly signed in but iCloud is not enabled. I see 0 mentions of iCloud in Apple's Support docs so just wondering if that is indeed the limitation.

 

[chown33]

Where are the devices physically located? It's unclear where the "work MacBook" is in relation to other devices.

On the page you linked, I see under "Additional requirements":

Each device must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff turned on.

If the distance requirement is met, have you checked for actual Bluetooth connections working between devices? I'm fairly sure that the 10 meter limit is simply BT's limit, not something enforced by GPS positioning or some such.

 

[MonstaMash]

They are side by side. I tried using an iPad (signed in to iCloud) with my personal Mac (also signed into iCloud) and Universal Controls works with those devices. So I am guessing signing in to both an Apple ID + iCloud is a requirement of Universal Control? It's not stated in Apple's support docs so I was wondering if anyone was able to get around this.

 

[chown33]

Can you try a simple test with your personal Mac: sign out of iCloud (or don't sign in).

In other words, use your personal Mac to test the configuration you want to look at. Then whatever happens, it won't be on your work Mac.

If UC fails with no iCloud on the personal Mac, then it seems like a good bet it really does rely on iCloud, even if the support docs don't say that.

 

[MonstaMash]

Can you try a simple test with your personal Mac: sign out of iCloud (or don't sign in).

In other words, use your personal Mac to test the configuration you want to look at. Then whatever happens, it won't be on your work Mac.

If UC fails with no iCloud on the personal Mac, then it seems like a good bet it really does rely on iCloud, even if the support docs don't say that.

Thanks. The iCloud requirement appears to be confirmed. When testing this out, I signed in to my Apple ID and enabled iCloud. Once I enabled iCloud, Universal Control functioned after I restarted both devices. I couldn't Universal Control to work without iCloud.

I submitted feedback to Apple to add this to their support docs.