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DTC Popup Fixes

⚡ Command Center Constructor: Turn your iPad into the ultimate Mac sidekick

Published 9 months ago • 3 min read

Hey Reader! 👋

Last week, I shared some exciting news about the newsletter's evolution, and your response was incredible! So many of you reached out to share your own remote work journeys and challenges.

This week, we're diving into something I get asked about constantly:

How to create the perfect Mac + iPad workflow for remote work.

After 5 years of testing countless setups (and making plenty of mistakes along the way), I've cracked the code for a setup that actually works.

🔧 The perfect two-device setup

The magic happens when your Mac and iPad work together seamlessly.

Here's how to set it up:

Position your devices

Put your Mac front and center as your primary screen. Place your iPad to either side at a comfortable viewing angle.

Pro tip: A good iPad stand like my beloved TwelveSouth HoverBar Duo makes all the difference - I wasted months with a flimsy one that kept sliding around.

Enable Universal Control

This feature lets you move your cursor between devices like magic.

On your Mac, click the Apple menu in the upper left and go to System Settings > Displays > Advanced and toggle on "Allow your pointer and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad."

Do the same on your iPad in Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff.

📱 Make your iPad earn its keep

Your iPad isn't just for watching Netflix! Here's how to make it truly useful:

  • Use it as a dedicated communication hub: Keep Slack, Microsoft Teams, email, or your calendar always visible
  • Turn it into a reference screen: Perfect for keeping documentation open while coding
  • Make it your meeting command center: Join video calls here to free up your main screen

⚡️ Power user tips

These small tweaks make a huge difference:

Set up Hot Corners on your Mac

Hot Corners are your secret weapon for fast macOS navigation. Here's how to set them up:

  1. Open System Settings > Desktop & Dock
  2. Scroll down and click "Hot Corners..."
  3. Click each corner dropdown and assign actions:
    • Top-right: Mission Control (for quick window overview)
    • Bottom-right: Desktop (to quickly hide all windows)
    • Bottom-left: Quick Note (for capturing quick thoughts in Notes)
    • Top-left: Application Windows (to see all windows of current app)

Master Stage Manager

Stage Manager keeps your workspace organized like a pro:

  1. Open System Settings > Desktop & Dock in the sidebar.
  2. Go to the Desktop & Stage Manager section, then click the toggle to turn Stage Manager on.
  3. Customize the Stage Manager settings:
    • Turn on the option for “Show recent apps in Stage Manager” to keep frequent apps handy
    • Toggle Show Items “On Desktop" based on your preference

Pro tip: Drag windows to the side to create convenient app groupings!

Create synced Focus modes

Here's how to set up the perfect Focus mode for deep work:

  1. Go to System Settings > Focus
  2. Click the Add Focus… button to create a new Focus mode
  3. Create a Custom Focus, name it "Deep Work", and then choose an icon
  4. Under "Silence Notifications," add only essential people and apps that you want to allow to break through your Focus mode.
  5. Set a schedule: I recommend 90-minute blocks

🚫 Common mistakes to avoid

Learn from my failures (and how to fix them):

Incorrect screen height

Mistake: Putting both screens at the same height strains your neck

Quick Fix: Position your main Mac display at eye level using a monitor stand or laptop stand. Place your iPad slightly lower and angled up at about 15 degrees.

Test this setup: your eyes should naturally fall on your Mac's display while your iPad remains in your peripheral vision.

Battery drain issues

Mistake: Running power-hungry apps on both devices simultaneously

Quick Fix: Create device-specific workflows:

  • Mac: Handle intensive tasks (video editing, coding, designing)
  • iPad: Run lightweight apps (notes, chat, calendar)

Pro tip: Keep your iPad plugged in when using it as a second display, and enable Low Power Mode on both devices if on battery power during long work sessions.

File access headaches

Mistake: Not setting up proper file syncing

Quick Fix: Enable and organize iCloud Drive properly:

  1. Go to System Settings > Apple Account > iCloud
  2. Enable "iCloud Drive"
  3. Create a "Work" folder in iCloud Drive
  4. Set up folder shortcuts in Finder favorites

Bonus tip: Use Tags (right-click > Tags) to organize files across devices without moving them

Want to make your remote work setup even better? Reply to this email with your biggest workspace challenge - I'm here to help you solve it!

Until next time, see ya! 👋

Gannon

P.S. Next week, I'll show you how to create the perfect video call setup that makes you look and sound professional (without spending a fortune). Stay tuned! 🎥

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