Universal Control Not Working With VPN: Fix It Fast

Universal Control lets you seamlessly use a single keyboard and mouse across your Mac and iPad. But many users discover that when a VPN is active, the feature suddenly stops working. This guide explains why that happens and gives you step-by-step solutions to restore functionality while keeping your VPN running securely.

Quick Answer: Universal Control may not start when a VPN hijacks local network discovery. To fix it, turn off the VPN on your Mac and iPad, then reenable Universal Control. If you must stay on VPN, use split tunneling and exclude your local subnet so Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Handoff, and iCloud can negotiate nearby devices.

Apple documentation and multiple community reports confirm that VPN and security software can block device discovery. Cisco AnyConnect full-tunnel is a common culprit, but alternatives like OpenConnect or split tunneling can allow Universal Control to function properly.

Before You Start

• Update macOS and iPadOS to the latest version.
• Confirm that both devices use the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication.
• Keep your Mac and iPad within one meter of each other.
• Ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are turned on.
• Note your VPN client (Cisco AnyConnect, OpenConnect, WireGuard, etc.).

How to Fix Universal Control Not Working With VPN

1. Temporarily Disable Your VPN

The simplest solution is to disconnect the VPN on both Mac and iPad. Once disconnected, Universal Control should establish the connection almost immediately. This confirms that the VPN is the interfering factor. If you cannot afford to stay disconnected, proceed to the next solutions.

2. Enable Split Tunneling and Allow LAN Traffic

Most VPN clients offer a split tunneling option. This allows you to keep secure traffic going through the VPN while excluding local LAN connections. Enabling LAN or Bonjour discovery ensures Universal Control can still find your nearby devices.

For example, Cisco AnyConnect has an “Allow local LAN access” option. Enabling this allows Universal Control to connect even while VPN is active. If your enterprise setup blocks it, ask your IT admin about OpenConnect, which supports similar configurations. If you notice casting issues while testing, this guide explains why AirPlay does not work with VPN and how to address it without turning everything off.

3. Use Per-App VPN on iPadOS

On iPad, go to Settings > VPN and look for per-app VPN settings. Exclude Universal Control-related apps or disable VPN for system services. This lets you remain connected for corporate apps but keeps Universal Control free to communicate over local Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. If screen casting from your phone also fails under a tunnel, follow this walkthrough to fix iPhone mirroring not working with VPN.

4. Toggle Universal Control Off and On

Sometimes Universal Control itself needs a reset. On Mac, open System Settings > Displays > Advanced and turn Universal Control off, then back on. On iPad, go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff and do the same. Toggling forces both devices to renegotiate connection.

5. Update macOS and iPadOS

Apple has fixed several Universal Control bugs in system updates. If you are still running an older macOS or iPadOS, update to the latest release. This resolves compatibility issues unrelated to VPN interference but which may appear similar.

6. Sign Out and Back Into iCloud

If none of the above work, sign out of iCloud on both devices, then sign back in. This refreshes authentication tokens that Universal Control depends on. Combine this with a VPN toggle to give the feature the best chance of reconnecting.

VPN Modes Compared for Universal Control Reliability

VPN Mode	Keeps Corporate Access	Allows Local Discovery	Universal Control Reliability	Setup Difficulty	Notes
Full-Tunnel VPN	Yes	No	Poor	Easy	Blocks local LAN traffic and mDNS/Bonjour, causing failures
Split-Tunnel VPN	Yes	Yes (if LAN enabled)	Good	Medium	Requires configuration; works with AnyConnect “Allow local LAN” option
Per-App VPN (iPadOS)	Yes (per app)	Yes (system excluded)	Good	Medium	Lets corporate apps stay on VPN while Universal Control bypasses
No VPN	No	Yes	Excellent	Easy	Works reliably but no VPN protection

Extra Tips and Workarounds

• If your workplace forces Cisco AnyConnect full-tunnel, ask IT if split tunneling can be enabled.
• Some users report OpenConnect works better with Universal Control than AnyConnect.
• Check that your firewall is not blocking Bonjour or mDNS traffic, which Universal Control requires.
• Keep devices close together, ideally within one meter, to improve discovery.
• If you tether or switch networks frequently, you can share a VPN connection between iPhone and Mac to keep policies consistent while testing Universal Control.
• If your living room setup needs a privacy-friendly streaming option, here are the best VPNs for Apple TV that play nicely with Apple devices.

FAQs

Summary

1. Disable VPN and test Universal Control.
2. Enable split tunneling to keep VPN but allow local LAN discovery.
3. Use per-app VPN on iPadOS to exclude system services.
4. Toggle Universal Control off/on on both devices.
5. Update macOS and iPadOS.
6. Sign out and back into iCloud if needed.

Conclusion

Universal Control is one of Apple’s most useful features, but VPN interference is a common roadblock. The fastest fix is to disconnect VPN entirely, but if you must stay protected, split tunneling or per-app VPN will let the feature work without compromising your workflow. Keep your systems updated and settings optimized, and you can enjoy secure browsing while still controlling all your devices with one keyboard and mouse.