How to Enable Universal Control on macOS Monterey

As we get closer to the official version of macOS Monterey, a key feature has yet to be tested by a large audience. Universal Control wasn’t included in the beta versions, so you probably can’t access it on your Mac right now. But a developer found a solution. In this article, we will show you how to enable Universal Update on your beta of Monterey.

Read: How to Fix MacBook Pro Fan so Loud?

What is Universal Control?

Universal Controls lets you control Macs and iPads — or even multiple Macs — with a single mouse and keyboard. Why would you do that? People switch between devices and tasks more often than ever before. Studies show that an average user changes 6 timer tasks every 26 minutes. To maintain your productivity in these conditions, you need a sturdy workbench – and Universal Control can help you achieve that.

How to make Universal Control work on macOS Monterey beta

Apple didn’t make Universal Controls available to Monterey beta testers, which is a shame because many people have installed the beta to try out this fascinating feature. Will Apple fix this? we are not sure. Attentive people noticed that Apple initially included news of Universal Control working on beta 12.4 in the release notes, but then removed it.

We don’t know what happened there, but we’re happy to say a solution has been found! Now you can play Universal Control on Monterey.

Be careful, this is not the official method. A developer named Zhuowei Zhang suggested this and shared the file on Github. You need to edit some internal files on macOS for this to work, but it is very easy to do and has already worked for many people, so let us share the instructions on how to enable Universal Controls. I am happy:

• Download the file from Github and move it to /Library/Preferences/FeatureFlags/Domains
• If you can’t transfer the file, you need to disable System Integrity Protection (SIP): Restart your Mac in recovery mode > Open Terminal > Run csrutil disable command
• Restart your Mac.

Universal Control should now work on your Mac – you can test it after restarting. To connect your iPad or second monitor via Universal Controls, go to System Preferences > Display.

Best Use Cases for Universal Controls

Universal Update can completely change the way you work, helping you get more done with less effort. Make sure you take the time to integrate it into your workflow, this can take some time. Here are some great ideas for using it:

• Drag more files. You no longer need to sync your images via iCloud or AirDrop, just use your cursor to move everything you need from iPad to Mac or vice versa. Naturally, you’ll be doing more drag and drop than before, so it makes sense to install an app like Yoink to automate the flow. Or, just enjoy the journey.
• Move screen recordings from Mac to iPad. With apps like CleanShot X, you probably have a pretty advanced screenshot workflow – you can take scroll captures, record the screen, create GIFs, and more. Thanks to Universal Controls, you can now naturally transfer these screenshots across multiple devices.
• Unclutter your workspace. Universal Update makes sure you get more screens to keep the essentials visible. For example, if you use some sort of Office Post-It or sidenotes like Office Note Space, put them on the screen you use for heavy research tasks. Keep the second screen clean for screen sharing and screenshot capture.

Tip: If you’re looking forward to reading more Monterey news, check out this guide on how to troubleshoot macOS Monterey issues, we update it regularly with new information and troubleshooting tips.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to enable Universal Control on macOS, it’s time to make the most of macOS Monterey! Try new shortcuts to automate your routine tasks, set up personalized notifications, and get used to moving your cursor between devices. Please give us your important feedback in the comment box.