As technology continues to evolve, the integration of devices and operating systems has become increasingly seamless. One such advancement is the macOS Monterey’s Universal Control feature, which allows users to seamlessly share a mouse and keyboard across multiple devices, including macOS, iPadOS, and even Windows. However, users of Windows and Linux operating systems may wonder if they can also enjoy this convenience. In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through the process of setting up Barrier, a cross-platform software, to achieve a similar functionality on Windows and Linux, thereby enabling you to experience the benefits of macOS Monterey’s Universal Control feature on non-Apple devices.
Set Up Barrier on macOS
The first step to emulating the Universal Control feature on Windows and Linux is to set up Barrier on macOS. Barrier is an open-source software that allows for the sharing of a keyboard and mouse between multiple computers, irrespective of their operating systems. To begin, download the Barrier installer for macOS from the official website. Once the download is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to install Barrier on your macOS device. After installation, launch the Barrier application and configure the server settings, including the screen arrangement and the position of each computer in relation to one another. This will create a seamless transition for your mouse and keyboard movements across different systems, much like the Universal Control feature on macOS Monterey.
After the initial setup, you can fine-tune the Barrier settings to ensure a smooth and intuitive experience. Adjust the sensitivity of the mouse, customize keyboard shortcuts, and explore additional features that Barrier offers to enhance your multi-device workflow. With Barrier set up on your macOS device, you are now ready to extend this functionality to Windows and Linux systems.
Set Up Barrier on Windows
The next crucial step is to set up Barrier on your Windows machine, enabling it to communicate with the macOS device and share the mouse and keyboard seamlessly. Begin by downloading the Barrier installer for Windows from the official website. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the installation prompts to set up Barrier on your Windows computer. After installation, launch the Barrier application and configure the client settings to establish a connection with the macOS server that you previously set up. This involves entering the IP address or hostname of the macOS machine and ensuring that the connection is established successfully.
Once the connection is established, you will be able to move your mouse cursor seamlessly between the macOS and Windows screens, effectively sharing the keyboard and mouse across the two systems. This integration replicates the functionality of macOS Monterey’s Universal Control feature, allowing for a unified experience across different operating systems. With Barrier successfully set up on your Windows machine, you can now enjoy the convenience of cross-platform mouse and keyboard sharing.
Share Mouse and Keyboard Similar to macOS Monterey’s Universal Control Feature
With Barrier configured on both macOS and Windows, you can now experience a workflow that closely resembles the Universal Control feature on macOS Monterey. The ability to seamlessly share a mouse and keyboard between multiple devices enhances productivity and streamlines the user experience. Whether you are working on design projects, managing documents, or simply navigating between different systems, Barrier facilitates a cohesive environment where your input devices seamlessly transition between operating systems, just like the Universal Control feature.
Additionally, Barrier offers the flexibility to customize the behavior of the shared mouse and keyboard, allowing you to tailor the experience to your specific preferences. You can configure hotkeys, adjust mouse acceleration, and define screen boundaries to optimize the cross-platform input sharing. This level of customization ensures that the shared mouse and keyboard experience is tailored to your individual workflow, further enhancing the emulation of macOS Monterey’s Universal Control feature on Windows and Linux systems.
Set Up Barrier on Linux
To complete the emulation of macOS Monterey’s Universal Control feature on non-Apple devices, it is essential to set up Barrier on a Linux system. Barrier’s cross-platform compatibility extends to Linux, enabling users to seamlessly share a mouse and keyboard with macOS and Windows machines. Begin by downloading the Barrier installer for Linux from the official website. Once the download is complete, follow the installation instructions specific to your Linux distribution to set up Barrier on your machine.
After installation, launch the Barrier application and configure the client settings to establish a connection with the macOS server and Windows client, allowing for the seamless sharing of the mouse and keyboard across all three platforms. Once the connection is established, you will have successfully extended the functionality of macOS Monterey’s Universal Control feature to your Linux system, creating a unified input sharing experience across multiple operating systems.
