If you’re experiencing difficulties sharing your MacBook mouse pointer with Apple Vision Pro, you’re not alone.
This frustrating issue can hinder your productivity and impact your overall user experience.
However, there are effective solutions available to address this problem and get your devices working seamlessly together.
In this blog post, we’ll explore practical steps to troubleshoot and resolve the “can’t share my MacBook mouse pointer with Apple Vision Pro” issue, ensuring that you can make the most of these powerful tools without any hindrances.
How To Fix Can’t Share MacBook Mouse Pointer With Apple Vision Pro?
Check compatibility and software updates, verify Apple ID and two factor authentication, confirm iCloud keychain settings. Additionally, you can ensure proximity and network settings, enable handoff on both devices, and configure pointer and keyboard movement settings.
1. Check Compatibility and Software Updates
Before troubleshooting, ensure that your devices meet the necessary requirements for compatibility and that they are running the latest software versions.
- Update your Mac to macOS Sonoma or later.
- Update your Apple Vision Pro to the latest version of visionOS.
2. Verify Apple ID and Two-Factor Authentication
Make sure both devices are using the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled.
- Check that the same Apple ID is used on both devices.
- Verify that two-factor authentication is activated for that Apple ID.
- On a Mac:
- Go to Apple menu > System Preferences.
- Click Apple ID, then select Password & Security.
- Check if Two-Factor Authentication is on.
- On Apple Vision Pro:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Vision Pro.
- Tap on [your name] at the top of the Settings menu to access your Apple ID settings.
- Select Password & Security.
- Look for the Two-Factor Authentication option and turn it on.
3. Confirm iCloud Keychain Settings
iCloud Keychain must be active on both devices to sync necessary data for pointer sharing.
- On your Mac, go to System Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Passwords & Keychain. Enable Sync this Mac.
- On your Apple Vision Pro, navigate to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Passwords and Keychain. Turn on Sync this Apple Vision Pro.
4. Ensure Proximity and Network Settings
Both devices must be within 10 meters (30 feet) of each other and have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled.
- Place the devices close to each other, within the 10-meter range.
- Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both the Mac and Apple Vision Pro.
- Make sure neither device is sharing its internet connection.
5. Enable Handoff on Both Devices
Handoff allows the pointer to move between macOS and visionOS apps seamlessly.
- On Apple Vision Pro, go to Settings > General > Handoff and enable it.
- On your Mac, navigate to System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff and enable Handoff.
6. Configure Pointer and Keyboard Movement Settings
Allow your Mac to enable the pointer and keyboard to move between devices.
- On your Mac, go to System Settings > Displays.
- Click Advanced and turn on “Allow your pointer and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad.”
7. Connect to Your Mac Using Apple Vision Pro
After ensuring all settings are correctly configured, connect your Mac to your Apple Vision Pro.
- While wearing Apple Vision Pro, open Control Center.
- Tap the Mac Virtual Display button, then choose your Mac.
- If using a MacBook, you may also connect by looking at the MacBook and tapping the Connect button.
8. Adjust Mac Virtual Display Settings
Customize the Mac screen size and position within visionOS after connecting.
- Change the size of the Mac screen as desired.
- Go to Apple menu > System Preferences.
- Click Displays.
- Select the Display tab.
- Press and hold the Option key and click Scaled to reveal all available resolutions.
- Choose your desired resolution.
- Move the Mac screen towards or away from you to suit your preference.
9. Test Pointer Sharing Functionality
Once connected, test the pointer sharing between your Mac and Apple Vision Pro.
- Use your trackpad to navigate the Mac screen as usual.
- Move the pointer past the edge of the Mac screen to see if it appears in an open visionOS app.
- If successful, the pointer should move freely between the Mac and visionOS environments.
- Try opening an app on the Apple Vision Pro and attempt to interact with it using your Mac’s mouse or trackpad.
10. Troubleshoot Connectivity Issues
If the pointer still won’t move between the Mac and visionOS, try the following steps:
- Restart both your Mac and Apple Vision Pro to refresh the connection.
- To restart your Mac, follow these steps:
- Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen.
- Select “Restart” from the dropdown menu.
- If you want to reopen windows when your Mac restarts, check the box “Reopen windows when logging back in.“
- Click “Restart” to confirm.
- To restart your Apple Vision Pro, follow these steps:
- Hold the Digital Crown and top button until the power slider appears.
- Pinch and drag the power slider to the right.
- Wait for the screen to go dark, then remove the device if needed.
- Press and hold the top button for three seconds to turn it back on.
- Wait for the ready tone.
- Disconnect and reconnect to the Mac Virtual Display via the Control Center on your Apple Vision Pro.
- Double-check that all settings related to Handoff, iCloud Keychain, and pointer sharing are correctly configured.
By carefully following these steps and ensuring all settings are correctly configured, you should be able to resolve issues with sharing your MacBook’s mouse pointer with your Apple Vision Pro.
If the problem continues, it may be a more complex issue that requires support from Apple’s technical team.
