How to share a single keyboard and mouse with numerous Macs (and from time to time iPads)

If you have numerous Macs you want to use in the exact tough house, it can be a headache to deal with various keyboards, mice, and other pointing units. What if you could use a one established of enter equipment to handle multiple Macs—and from time to time iPads?

The latest running procedure updates from Apple present Common Handle for Macs and iPads, a remedy for sharing keyboards and ideas in numerous cases. The place Universal Control doesn’t match, you can check out a hardware or computer software KVM, which can share a set of input products among the numerous pcs.

Universal Control

Universal Manage lets you use a keyboard, mouse, or trackpad throughout multiple products logged into the identical iCloud account and that are in proximity to a single a different. MacOS Monterey edition 12.4 or later on and iPadOS 15.4 or later on are necessary. You also have to have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled.

We’ve created in other places about how to established up Universal Handle, and Apple offers this in depth setup guide that involves minimum components model needs for Macs and iPads.

Components KVM

Named KVM long in the past for “keyboard, video clip, and mouse,” a KVM change was an critical resource for system and community directors to stay away from the litter of added bulky CRTs and keyboards in server rooms and elsewhere. Later, KVMs turned useful for people who preferred to dock a laptop computer next to a desktop setup and use a bigger keep an eye on, entire-sized keyboard, and mouse, trackball, or trackpad.

All those KVMs experienced to include a VGA link, many serial and audio connectors, and sometimes USB 1.1.

These days, a KVM can be a lot easier: you just will need USB Variety-A ports and can use USB-C adapters as necessary to hook up to your Macs. This $19.99 checklist price UGreen two-computer switch could match the invoice for many folks.

Software KVM

If you only want to switch amongst Macs, a digital KVM might be the path of minimum fuss. Symless Synergy is just $29 for three computer systems, with people licenses masking macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, and Windows—you can mix and match installations.

Synergy will work similarly to Common Command (in advance of Common Management existed), permitting you set off movement amid devices by sliding your cursor off the edge of a single display and onto yet another.

This Mac 911 short article is in reaction to a issue submitted by VFAB reader Vish.

Check with Mac 911

We’ve compiled a record of the questions we get requested most often, alongside with responses and inbound links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your problem is included. If not, we’re constantly looking for new issues to address! Email yours to mac911@macworld.com, including monitor captures as acceptable and no matter if you want your comprehensive identify employed. Not each problem will be answered, we really don't reply to email, and we can't supply direct troubleshooting guidance.