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Logitech’s newest mice and keyboards have an interesting additional feature called Flow. Flow lets you use a mouse and keyboard across multiple PCs, very much like Synergy or Mouse Without Borders, but with a much simpler setup process. Logitech Flow isn’t a separate program—you’ll have to dive into the configuration application in order to set everything up. What You’ll NeedFor this process, you’ll need:
If your devices aren’t compatible, you’ll need to use something like Synergy instead—otherwise, read on. Step One: Install Logitech OptionsIf you haven’t already, download and install Logitech Options from this link on all the computers you wish to connect via Flow. It’s pretty handy software even without this feature, allowing for gesture control and custom key bindings. Just download the installer and follow the on-screen instructions—in Windows double-click the install file, in macOS drag it into the Applications folder. Once the program is installed, it should detect any compatible Logitech products automatically. (Note that just because a mouse or keyboard appears in Logitech Options doesn’t mean it’s compatible with Flow.) You’ll need to use your mouse or keyboard’s multi-device functionality to pair it with all the computers, one at a time. Step Two: Pair Your Mice and KeyboardsTo add a device to Logitech Options manually, use the multi-device button to switch to a secondary channel, pressing and holding it until the light flashes quickly, indicating it’s ready to pair via Bluetooth or a Logitech Unifying Receiver. Click “Add devices” in Logitech Options, then click either “Add Unifying Device” if you’re using the USB dongle or “Add Bluetooth Device” if you’re using Bluetooth. For a Unifying device, follow the on-screen instructions; for a Bluetooth device, pair it in the usual way with either Windows’ or macOS’s Bluetooth dialog—it should be detected automatically by Logitech Options. Repeat this process with all your PCs and input devices, switching to the alternate connections as needed. Once finished, you should see a new “Flow” tab at the top of Logitech Options. If Flow doesn’t appear on all your PCs, try reinstalling the program and rebooting your machine. Step Three: Establish Flow ConnectionOn each machine, click the Flow tab in Logitech Options. (You might need to switch channels on your mouse if you only have one.) If all your machines are connected to the same network, you should see them appear on the screen below: The white or teal squares represent the screens of each machine and their relative positions: where they intersect with a grey line, the mouse cursor will be able to pass between them seamlessly. Click and drag to arrange the squares in the same configuration as your real-world setup—if your laptop is to the left of your desktop monitor, place the corresponding square to the left, and so on. If you’re not sure which square represents which machine, click the “…” menu item to see the PC name. The options on the left are fairly self-explanatory. The toggle switch for Logitech Flow turns the entire feature on and off, which can be useful if you’re focusing on a single task. It’s also available in the notification area. For a more intentional switch, there’s an option to only move the cursor to another machine when the Ctrl button on the keyboard is being held down. Enabling copy and paste will allow you to move items on the operating system clipboard between connected PCs. Linking keyboards shouldn’t be required if you’re using a Flow-compatible model, but a manual addition is available if you need it. Can I Use Non-Logitech Keyboards With Flow?No. The Flow connection is set up over your local network for the hand-off of the cursor and other elements like copy-and-paste, but the actual computer inputs rely on specific USB or Bluetooth connections to all of computers. So you can use a Logitech mouse on multiple computers at once with Flow, but without a Flow-compatible Logitech keyboard, you won’t be able to type remotely. For a more universal solution (which unfortunately takes more work to set up), try Synergy KVM or Microsoft’s Mouse Without Borders. These programs work with any conventional mouse or keyboard. Image credit: Logitech READ NEXT
Can you connect a Logitech mouse to multiple computers?Using two or three computers at the same time is no problem with Logitech Flow. With Flow users can automatically switch between computers just by moving your cursor to the edge of the screen.
Can a wireless mouse work on two computers at the same time?The most straightforward solution is to install cross-computer control software such as Synergy. This takes just a few minutes to download and install. It lets you keep your mouse and keyboard connected to one computer, while allowing them to control all your other computers as well.
Can I connect 1 mouse to 2 laptops?There are a couple methods to control two different computers from one keyboard and mouse: either with a cable or with software. First, there is a cable called a KVM switch, which is short for “keyboard, video and mouse” switch. These let you share one mouse, keyboard and monitor between two computers.
Is there a mouse that can switch between two computers?The Best Mobile Multi-Device Mouse: Logitech Triathlon M720
Bluetooth and USB-based wireless mean it'll work with any PC, tablet, or mobile device, and the switch button on the top makes the M720 it the easiest multi-device mouse in Logitech's lineup.
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