Apple seeded the first beta for macOS Monterey 12.3 to developers on Thursday. It includes the long-overdue Universal Control feature, suggesting this will finally launch soon.
The beta comes just a day after macOS 12.2 ended testing and was released to the public.
Hopes for Universal Control in macOS Monterey 12.3
When Apple unveiled macOS Monterey in June 2021, a feature called Universal Control made a big splash. This will enable a single keyboard to control both a Mac and an iPad, allowing users to easily jump between them.
But Monterey debuted last autumn without Universal Control. And it hasn’t been in subsequent updates either. In December, Cupertino gave a new deadline by promising the feature will be “available this spring.”
But it seems the wait is almost over. The feature will apparently be part of macOS Monterey 12.3, as multiple beta testers have confirmed on Twitter.
it’s difficult it believe Universal Control is here pic.twitter.com/BjhgIiT3n9
— Apple Software Updates (@AppleSWUpdates) January 27, 2022
Obviously, iPad also has to be updated to make Universal Control work. Apple also released iPadOS 15.4 beta 1 on Tuesday.
Developers, start testing
Currently, macOS 12.3 beta 1 is only for developers. But if Apple follows its previous habits, a public beta version will be along. In the mean time, getting access to these pre-release editions requires joining the Apple Developer Program, which costs $99 a year.
Beta 1 will surely be followed by more rounds. A full version is unlikely before late February or March. After that will probably come macOS 12.4.
Note: This article was updated on January 27 after it was confirmed that macOS 12.3 beta 1 includes Universal Control.
