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Answers for setting up, connecting and fine‑tuning AirCursor on iPad and Mac.

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Install on both devices, pick a style, pair with a code.

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Connecting

Which connection style to choose, and what each one needs.

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Apple Pencil

Pointer styles, click pressure, double‑tap and squeeze.

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Tablet mode

Mapping areas, displays and aspect ratio.

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Troubleshooting

Discovery, stutters, cables and permissions.

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Still stuck? Send a note and we'll get back to you.

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Set up in three steps.

  1. Install on both.

    Get AirCursor from the App Store on your iPad and your Mac. Both come from the same App Store listing.

  2. Choose a style.

    Pick the same connection style on each device and continue. Wired is the steadiest; Automatic picks for you.

  3. Enter the code.

    Type the six‑digit code your Mac shows into the iPad. You only pair once.

On the Mac, allow pointer control when AirCursor asks. It's needed to move the pointer and click.

Choosing a connection style.

Pick the same style on both devices. Each card in the app has an (i) button with the details.

Wired Recommended

Needs a data-capable USB-C cable, or a USB-C Ethernet adapter on the Mac's wired network. Never falls back to wireless.

Lowest latency

Wi-Fi

Both devices on the same Wi-Fi network, with device discovery allowed. Can have occasional latency spikes.

Low latency

Bluetooth

Bluetooth on both devices, within a few meters. Good away from a router, or when Wi-Fi stutters.

Medium latency

Automatic

Tries a USB-C cable first, then Wi-Fi, then a direct peer-to-peer link, then Bluetooth. Every reconnect starts over from Wired.

Picks the best link it finds
Latency spikes Peer-to-Peer Wi‑Fi and Manual IP, under More Connection Styles, carry this badge.

Troubleshooting

The Mac doesn't appear on the iPad.
  • Make sure AirCursor is open on the Mac. It can live in the menu bar.
  • Use the same connection style on both devices. If they differ, the iPad tells you which style the Mac is set to.
  • Check Local Network permission on both devices.
  • Some school or work networks block discovery. Choose Manual IP : the Mac shows its address in that style.
Wi-Fi stutters about once a second.

This is almost always AWDL, the radio behind AirDrop, Universal Control and peer‑to‑peer Wi‑Fi. When your router isn't on channel 6, 44 or 149, the radio regularly leaves its channel to listen, and every packet waits.

  • Set AirDrop to Receiving Off on both devices.
  • Or move the router to channel 149 (or 44, or 6).
  • Or use Wired .

Motion smoothing, on by default, hides short stalls. Turn on Show Latency on the iPad to watch the stall count.

Wired mode doesn't find the Mac.
  • Use a data‑capable USB‑C cable. Charge‑only cables don't work.
  • A USB‑C Ethernet adapter on the same wired network as the Mac works too, or cable two adapters directly.
  • Wired never falls back to Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth. Choose Automatic if you want fallback.
  • If the Mac is listed but won't connect, the reconnect screen shows the network's error.
The cursor doesn't move.

Allow pointer control on the Mac in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility . AirCursor shows a prompt the first time. Then reopen the app.

“This Mac no longer recognizes your iPad.”

The pairing was removed on one of the devices. Pair again with a new code from the Mac.

“Your Mac isn't ready to pair.”

On the Mac, choose a connection style in AirCursor and click Continue . The six‑digit code appears after that.

Why doesn't my Pencil click when I press?

Apple Pencil (USB‑C) doesn't sense pressure, so it clicks on touch. For other Pencils, lower Click pressure in Settings → Apple Pencil , then press the test strip to feel where it clicks.

Settings → Apple Pencil starts on Automatic and works out which Pencil you have. You can also pick the model yourself.

Which pointer style should I use?
  • Hover to move, touch to click , for Pencils that hover.
  • Touch to move, press to click , for Pencils that sense pressure. Light contact moves the cursor; pressing harder clicks and holds to drag.
  • Move only : the Pencil never clicks.

Only styles your Pencil can do are offered.

How do I map the iPad to one display in Tablet mode?

Pick the display on the Mac, or from the iPad's quick options menu. Then choose an area on the Mac and an active area on the iPad in Settings → Tablet Mode . Drag an area to move it, or a corner to resize it. Aspect-ratio matching keeps circles round.

How do I pause input?

Press ⌃ ⌥ ⌘ P on the Mac from any app, choose Pause Input from the menu bar or Dock, or use ⌘ P on an iPad keyboard. Either device can resume.

Still stuck?

Tell us what you tried, which devices you're using, and the connection style. We read every message.

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