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This tip is about the how to Fix ‘Universal Control and Sidecar not working’ Issue. So read this free guide, How to Fix ‘Universal Control and Sidecar not working’ Issue step by step. If you have query related to same article you may contact us.
How to Fix ‘Universal Control and Sidecar not working’ Issue – Guide
With the release of Universal Control in the latest updates for iOS, iPadOS and macOS, Apple has one more arrow in its Continuity quiver, a feature that lets you move data and actions seamlessly between your devices. Universal Control adds Sidecar, a feature which allows a Mac user running macOS 10.15 Catalina or later and an iPad running iPadOS 13 or later to use an iPad as an extended or mirrored display.
If you want to use both features, you may need help troubleshooting Universal Control and switching between it and Sidecar. Apple is making Universal Control available in beta feature on macOS 12.3 Monterey and iPadOS 15.4. So it’s not surprising that you might encounter some strange behavior. Learn how to to fix this issue, follow the steps below.
How to Fix universal control and sidecar not working issue
All devices are connected to your iCloud account
All devices must be connected to the same iCloud account for Universal Control to work between them. It will not work on devices logged into separate Apple ID accounts. You can ensure your Mac is connected to iCloud by going to System Preferences -> Apple ID. On the iPad, open Settings and tap the Apple ID banner at the top of the main menu.
How far are the devices
Universal Control is designed to be used with Macs and iPads in close proximity, often on the same table, so you can visually see cursor movement from one screen to an adjacent device. For this reason, Macs and iPads need to be within 10 meters of each other for Universal Control to work.
Are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled
Universal Control uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to communicate between devices for a seamless experience, so these two wireless protocols need to be enabled on Macs and iPads. Also, all devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Transfer is enabled
Universal Control requires Handoff to be enabled on all devices. On Mac, go to System Preferences -> General and make sure the box is checked at the bottom next to Allow transfer between this Mac and your iCloud devices.
On the iPad, open Settings -> AirPlay & Handoff and toggle the switch next to Handoff. On the same screen, make sure the switch is also in the green position next to Cursor and Keyboard (Beta).
iPad is sharing a cellular connection
For Universal Control to work, any iPads and Macs cannot share a cellular and internet connection, so Mac cannot be connected to the iPad via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB. Make sure to disable any tethering using the options under Settings -> Personal Hotspot.
Are you using Sidecar?
Sidecar and Universal Control are separate features and some users had trouble getting them to work together. It is possible to use both features at the same time, but keep in mind that Universal Control on macOS 12.3 is still technically in beta, and some settings may throw up persistent bugs.
If you are using Sidecar to mirror or extend your Mac’s screen to an iPad, Universal Control will not work on that iPad and may not work on an additional iPad for Mac as there are some issues with how the two features interact during the beta. Disable Sidecar using the Display panel in your Mac’s Control Center to avoid potential issues.
You are using at least one Mac
While Universal Control can be used with two or more Macs and no iPads, at least one Mac is required to use it with iPads. On other words, two iPads without a Mac can’t take advantage of Universal Control, but if at least one Mac is in the mix, you can use Universal Control. feature with multiple iPads.
Problems automatically reconnecting to a nearby device
The first time you use Universal Control, you can connect to a nearby Mac or iPad by pushing the trackpad or mouse cursor to the edge of the screen towards the other device. After that, you can automatically reconnect to any nearby Mac or iPad in another session, but only if the setting is enabled (it is not by default).
To enable automatic reconnects on Mac, go to System Preferences -> Displays -> Display Settings-> Advanced and check the box next to Automatically reconnect to any nearby Mac or iPad and click Done.
Problems with drag and drop
You can drag and drop files between two devices using Universal Control, but please note that if you are using an iPad and a Mac, you need to have an application open that supports the file type.
If you want to drag a photo from Mac to iPad for example, make sure you open up the Photos app on the iPad first. Or if you have a document you want to move, open up the Files app on the iPad. Dragging something from iPad to Mac is simpler because Mac desktop supports different file types, unlike iPad Home Screen.
Problems using multitouch gestures
Some multi-touch gestures, such as Mission Control, are not available on an iPad, and some are slightly different. if you open up an app on your iPad and then want to log out using your Mac trackpad, you can use a three-finger swipe to do that. Alternatively, with a mouse, you can hover over the dock to bring it up. up to switch apps.
Final note
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