[ Laptops and phones ]

Switch between several Macs.

The strip down the left of your laptop's window shows every Mac you're paired with, and whether each one needs a look.

If you look after more than one business, each has its own Mac mini. Your laptop can pair with all of them and switch between them, like switching accounts. Each Mac stays completely separate: nothing from one is ever shown while you're looking at another.

The rail

Down the left edge of the window is a narrow strip with one round icon per Mac. Each shows the Mac's name underneath, and its initials until you choose an icon.

The small mark on each icon tells you how that Mac is:

  • Green dot: online, all good.
  • Amber dot with "!": needs a look. An automation is failing or waiting on you, a space isn't running, or the Mac needs an update.
  • Grey ring: can't be reached right now.

Hover over an icon to read its status in words.

Switch, add and tidy up

  • Switch: click an icon, or press ⌥⌘1 to ⌥⌘9. Each Mac opens exactly where you left it.
  • Add another Mac: choose + at the bottom of the rail, then follow Pair a laptop with your Mac mini.
  • Rename or change the icon: Control-click an icon and choose Rename… or Change Icon…. Pick a symbol, an emoji or a colour.
  • Reconnect: Control-click and choose Reconnect if a Mac is stuck offline after you've fixed the network.
  • Remove: Control-click and choose Remove…. The laptop forgets that Mac and deletes its saved copy. To stop the Mac mini listing the laptop too, also remove the laptop there, in Settings › Devices.

Settings › Devices on the laptop lists every Mac it's connected to.