Apple Vision Pro: Virtual Display with Intel Macs only with 3K
Apple’s new Vision Pro headset also works as an external display for a Mac, allowing you to see and control your computer in a visionOS window. The feature is even compatible with some older Macs with Intel chipsets, but there’s a catch. In the new support document, Apple confirms that the Vision Pro’s Mac Virtual Display feature is compatible with any Mac running macOS Sonoma. If the Mac has an Apple chipset, the headset runs at up to 4K resolution. However, if the Mac has an Intel processor on board, the resolution is limited to 3K, according to Apple.
macOS Sonoma is compatible with the following Macs:
- MacBook Pro: 2018 onwards
- MacBook Air: 2018 onwards
- Mac mini: 2018 onwards
- iMac: from 2019
- iMac Pro: 2017 onwards
- Mac Studio: from 2022
- Mac Pro: 2019 onwards
To use the feature, the Vision Pro and the Mac must be signed in with the same Apple ID and the account must have two-factor authentication enabled. Additionally, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be enabled on both devices to connect.
If you look at a MacBook while wearing the Apple Vision Pro, a “Connect” button will appear above it. For desktop Macs or if the button doesn’t appear, you can also activate the virtual Mac display in the Vision Pro’s Control Center. You move the Mac’s virtual display by pinching and dragging the bottom bar of the window. You can also resize the window by pulling together the window bars in the bottom corners.
If multiple external displays are connected to the Mac, the Apple Vision Pro headset will only show the one set as the main display in the Mac’s system preferences. The Mac’s built-in keyboard and trackpad can be used in the same way as a paired Bluetooth keyboard or trackpad. This can be used to control the virtual Mac display as well as other visionOS applications. However, according to Apple, the Vision Pro cannot be used with a Bluetooth mouse.
Apple’s instructions for turning on Universal Control:
“If you want to share the pointer between your macOS and visionOS apps, Handoff must be turned on on both devices. On Apple Vision Pro, go to Settings > General > Handoff. On your Mac, go to System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff. On your Mac, you also need to turn on “Allow your pointer and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad.” Go to System Settings > Displays, then click Advanced.”
A few more details from Apple:
- Mac Virtual Display does not work when your Vision Pro is in Guest Mode.
- Mac Virtual Display does not support managed Apple IDs.
- The devices must be no more than 10 meters (32 feet) apart to maintain a connection.
More details about Mac Virtual Display can be found in Apple’s Vision Pro User Guide.
