Macs are offering support for completely 2 different features, with macOS 12.3 hitting the market. These are namely the Universal Control and Sidecar that let iPads and Macs be used simultaneously, however in different ways. Here in this content, you will be getting an idea about the difference prevailing between these two and grab an idea about how to use Universal Control and Sidecar simultaneously if your setup has provision for the same. Keep scrolling down to learn in detail.
In the case of iPadOS 15.4 and macOS 12.3 with Universal Control, if you happen to have an iPad and Mac just next to one another or say numerous iPads and Macs together at the same time the same place, you will enjoy the privilege of using the cursor and keyboard on a particular device across all of these. Say, for instance, you have an iPad and a MacBook Pro right there on your office desk, you can easily use the trackpad of the MacBook Pro on the iPad simply by swiping it across. This will make the keyboard of the Mac perform as the input device for the iPad. This goes the other way round if you have an iPad with a keyboard attached to the same.
Understanding the situation using just SideCar
In the case of Sidecar, this situation is different. Sidecar- the launch of which was announced in 2019 as a part of the macOS Catalina is solely designed to allow you to use an iPad just as another display for the Mac you are using. One iPad can be used in this case to view the contents on the display of your Mac or just convert the same as a secondary display for some extra screen real estate in the macOS.
It is essential here to remember that while the Universal Control allows you to use Mac’s trackpad and keyboard for navigation in your iPad, the same functions over two completely different OS or Operating Systems i.e, the iPadOS and macOS. It fails to extend the display of your Mac on your iPad. Rather, it lets the trackpad or mouse and the keyboard on any device remain in use to control the second device or many more. Now, if you wish your Mac’s content to be displayed on the iPad around you, Sidecar is your only solution.
Steps to use Universal Control and SideCar simultaneously on macOS12.3
What if you wish to use both of these simultaneously on macOS 12.3? Here are the steps to follow for the same:
Select the Apple symbol on your Mac from the menu bar and proceed to select the System Preferences
Go ahead selecting the Displays from the preferences panel
If you are new to Universal Control, then make sure to check all the boxes for functions that you would want to turn on. Otherwise, select the Add Display option
In the dropdown menu, you will see some of the nearby devices that are signed in already using the Apple ID, same as that on your Mac. Select a device that is listed on the Link Keyboard and Mouse list for using the same in Universal Control mode.
Click on the option Add Display, and again in the dropdown menu, click on the iPad or another device listed under the Mirror or Extend to connect your Mac to it in the Sidecar mode. This is all you have to do. Now you can enjoy having your Mac successfully linked to all iPads and Macs nearby using the Universal Control along with using an add-on iPad as an extended display space through Sidecar.
With the Displays preference pane, now you can smoothly organize the display of the iPad in the Sidecar mode along with the displays of other devices, if any, that are generally linked via the Universal Control.
So, that’s all. You can now easily use both the features together in Mac following the steps mentioned above.
Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.
