The third beta of macOS Monterey 12.3 makes configuring Universal Control more easier

The third beta of macOS Monterey 12.3 includes improvements that make it easier to view and manage your Mac’s Universal Control settings.

The third beta of macOS Monterey 12.3 makes configuring Universal Control more easier

macOS Monterey 12.3

1: Setting up Universal Control is more accessible in the third beta of macOS Monterey
2: The upcoming update makes it easier to configure the feature in System Preferences
3: These options were harder to discover as they were hidden under the Advanced tab

How to access the Universal Control settings on your Mac

The third beta of macOS Monterey 12.3 includes features that make it easier to set up and configure the Universal Control feature on your Mac.

By running the System Preferences software from your Mac’s Dock (or choosing “System Preferences” in the Apple menu) and tapping the Displays settings, you can now alter the Universal Control settings in one location. To access all of the Universal Control features, go to your Displays settings and press a specific Universal Control button.

1: Open System Preferences on your Mac with macOS Monterey 12.3 or later
2: In the System Preferences window, click the Displays preference pane
3: In the Displays settings, click the “Universal Control” button
4: From there, choose between the following adjustments:

A: Allow your cursor and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad: Your cursor and keyboard can be used on any nearby Mac or iPad signed in to your iCloud account.

B: Push through the edge of a display to connect to a nearby Mac or iPad: Allow the cursor to connect to a nearby Mac or iPad by pushing against the edge of the display.

C: Automatically reconnect to any nearby Mac or iPad: Allow this Mac to automatically reconnect to any nearby Mac or iPad you’ve previously connected to.

The Universal Control option was previously hidden under the “Advanced” button in the Displays settings. To assist eliminate confusion and making it apparent where to go to activate the Universal Control options, the “Advanced” button has been deleted from macOS Monterey 12.3 beta 3.

How to access the Universal Control settings on your Mac

“This makes the settings more accessible, especially for those who would not think to go into the Advanced menu to tweak Universal Control,” 9to5Mac, which noticed the change, said.

What does Universal Control entail, and how does it function?
Pushing the mouse pointer beyond the left or right side of the screen with Universal Control enables manipulating the pointer across numerous iPad and Mac devices as simple as pushing the mouse cursor beyond the left or right side of the screen.

On Apple’s website, the Universal Control feature is described as follows:

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff must be enabled on all iPad and Mac devices for Universal Control to work. To use Universal Control wirelessly, the devices must be within ten meters (30 feet) of one other. Furthermore, your iPad and Mac should not share a cellular and internet connection. The capability is available on Macs from 2016 and after, as well as the iPad Pro, iPad Air 3, iPad 6, and iPad mini 5 and later.

When will Apple make Universal Control available?

Apple is still evaluating the macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 software with beta testers to see when everyone will be able to use Universal Control. Universal Control cannot function without these software updates. Universal Control was first announced at WWDC21 alongside other new iOS 15 capabilities, but it was postponed because it was too raw around the edges. Learn how to manage your Mac’s external display settings.

The software updates for iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3 are now being evaluated, with a few more betas to go before they are released. It’s safe to assume that Universal Control will be accessible in the spring when iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3 are released to the general public.