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One of the safe thing about using more than one Apple twist is the way they interact with each other . Apple has make all kinds of clever characteristic intoMacOSand across its celebrated ecosystem , and it mean your devices all work together in a way that you just do n’t get from any other manufacturing business .
AirDropmight be the ultimate expression of this , though that ’s fairly well - known . Here , we ’ve picked out six other great ways your Mac works with other Apple merchandise . Most require you to have Bluetooth and Wi - Fi enabled , as well as for you to be using the same Apple ID on all your devices . Check the System preferences app on your devices to verify the specific features are enable , although most should be by nonpayment .
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Once that ’s sorted , you ’re ready to dive in . Here are the best ways you could utilize your Mac with other Apple devices to get more of that ecosystem goodness .
Control everything with one mouse
One of my favourite ways to link two ( or more ) Apple devices together is Universal Control . I raved about this featurewhen it first came out in beta , and it perfectly enchant how well - thought - out Apple ’s ecosystem is . I really do n’t want to say it ’s magic , but it feels pretty secretive .
How do youuse Universal Control ? You just put an iPad next to a Mac ( for instance ) and turn on the relevant setting . you may then freely move your mouse Spanish pointer from one projection screen to the other using just a single computer mouse . you could do it with up to three twist , in fact , and they do n’t even have to be dissimilar – you could use three iMacs if you wanted . As long as at least one of the devices is a Mac , any combining of Mac and iPad should form .
It goes beyond that , though . As well as sharing a mouse , you may also apply one keyboard to typecast on both gimmick . It even lets you drop behind and drop file across your covert , just like you would on a single Mac that ’s relate to multiple displays . It requires minimum setup and functions almost cleanly . It ’s Apple ’s “ it just works ” doctrine in action .
The Continuity ecosystem
When it come to using a Mac with other Apple merchandise , Continuity is absolutely fundamental . You do n’t see this feature mentioned very often , but it comes with some exceedingly canny contact that make using your Apple devices a picnic .
Take Continuity Sketch , for good example , which reserve you to shake off drawing from your iPad right onto your Mac . You just load up up the app you require to infix the image into , then selectFile > Import from iPhone > Add Sketch . maneuver over to your iPad or iPhone and start drawing . Once you ’re quick , selectDoneand the drafting instantly appears on your Mac , decently where you want it to .
Or how about Continuity Camera ? You might have heard about how it lets youuse your iPhone as a webcam , and we absolutely love that feature . But there ’s another facial expression to Continuity Camera — it earmark you to apace insert photos onto your Mac that you take with an iPhone or iPad , much in the same manner that Continuity Sketch works . It ’s totally unlined and as light as can be .
Sign documents using an iPhone
Speaking of doodle on your iPhone , there ’s another way you may put this ability to well use : signing written document . It means there ’s no need to sign with a simple ‘ X ’ or a print version of your name , and it looks far more natural when it ’s done .
How does it make ? Just open a document or PDF in Preview , then take thePenicon . This spread out a new menu , where you need to opt for theSignature button(it looks like a squiggle ) . From here , pickCreate Signature > iPhone . Now , just drag your signature on your telephone , selectDoneand you ’ll have a precise signature , quick to be inserted into any written document on your Mac . It pass on you a perfectly innate way to ratify documents , all without a pen in sight .
Pick up where you left off
allow ’s say you ’re working on a document on your iMac and need to guide out , but you still require to be able to continue your project while you ’re away from your primary desk . What do you do ? That ’s simple . Just use Handoff .
This brilliant little feature call for almost no setup , yet bring in it supremely well-fixed to work across your twist . If you ’ve opened an app on your iPhone or iPad and also have it installed on your Mac , you ’ll see that app ’s picture appear in your Dock . pick out it and the app will spread out right where you impart off on your other machine . There ’s no need to upload any files toGoogle Drive or Dropbox , as all your latest change are right there and quick to go .
It works the other way , too . On your iPhone or iPad , open up the app switcher . At the bottom , you ’ll see the icon of the app you have open on your Mac , along with a short message saying which gimmick it ’s been sent from ( such as “ From Alex ’s MacBook Pro ” ) . Just tap that icon and the app opens up .
Unlock with your Apple Watch
Typing your password every sentence you require to unlock your Mac is a bore . Instead , just get your Apple Watch to do it for you . All you want to do is lift your MacBook ’s lid or move your mouse to wake up your Mac for your Apple Watch to automatically lumber you in .
To setunlocking your Mac with your Apple Watch , launch the System preferences app on your Mac and go toTouch ID & Password . Here , turn on the toggle next to your Apple Watch ’s name , underneathUse Apple Watch to unlock your applications and your Mac . As the name suggests , it play for unlocking your apps as well as your Mac .
Copy and paste across devices
Sometimes , rather of transfer an full app or document using Handoff , you just want to copy and glue something from one equipment to another . In times like that , Universal Clipboardis exactly what you need .
Using it could n’t be easier . Just copy something on one gadget , whether that ’s some school text , an figure of speech , a file , or something else . Then on your other equipment , paste it in billet usingCommand Vor by selectingPastefrom the right - click menu . It should come out instantly , although you might need to wait a 2nd or two if the file is particularly large .
And that ’s all there is to it . It ’s a orderly good example of how Apple ’s ecosystem enables some really useful feature that are incredibly simple to use . But not everything within MacOS is geared towards productiveness . You should swap thesedefault Mac appsfor some third party alternatives .
