"Move between nearby devices..." works randomly

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Level 1

20 points

"Move between nearby devices..." works randomly

I have a 2019 Intel iMac and a 2020 MacBook Air (MBA), both running the latest Mac OS 15.4 (24E248).

The MBA is always with me. In the morning I place it on the side of iMac, which is in my office. Usually, I can use a single mouse (and keyboard) to control the two devices: I move the iMac mouse towards the MBA screen and it magically appears in the MBA screen.

But every once in a while this stops working. Then it starts again, then stops, etc.

For example, this morning this feature worked. Then, all of a sudden, it stopped working without any particular "software" or "hardware" event happening.

After a couple or reboots of the two machines, it is still NOT working.

Why? And what do I need to check to understand what is happening?

The option Settings -> Displays -> Advanced -> "Allow your pointer and keyboard to move ... " is already checked on both devices. Bluetooth is on, the two machines are on the same network connected via a cable.

Posted on Apr 9, 2025 4:44 AM

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Answer 1

bhanu5567

Level 2

470 points

Apr 10, 2025 12:30 AM in response to LordThistle

If the “Move between nearby devices” feature—such as Universal Control or clipboard Handoff—is working inconsistently between your Intel iMac and M1 MacBook Air, it’s often due to small configuration issues.

First, make sure both devices are signed into the same Apple ID and connected to the same Wi-Fi network, as even being on a guest network on one device can interfere.

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff must all be enabled on both Macs; you can confirm this under System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff.

If you're specifically using Universal Control, head to System Settings > Displays > Advanced and ensure the option to allow your pointer and keyboard to move between nearby Macs or iPads is checked.

Also, both devices should be awake and in close proximity. A mismatch in macOS versions can also cause issues, so verify that both machines are running the latest updates.

Finally, if everything seems correct but it still behaves unpredictably, try restarting both devices to refresh the connection.

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"Move between nearby devices..." works randomly