Each peripheral device can pair to one receiver per profile. While most peripherals only store one profile, newer products such as the Logitech MX Master, MX Anywhere series, and M720 Triathlon allow multiple profiles. These devices can be connected to multiple receivers simultaneously. This allows the use of receivers in several computers, e.g., a desktop and a laptop computer, selecting the computer to use by changing profiles on the mouse. This multi-computer function is further augmented by Logitech Flow (software KVM solution) which is similar to Synergy. For devices without multi-computer support, the receiver and input devices can be moved together from one computer to another, maintaining their paired status after being unplugged, as the pairing information is held in the little USB receiver—this is much simpler than transferring the peripheral from one receiver to another by changing the setup in software, and also avoids the limitation to 45 pairings of older devices. This also allows the use of peripherals on computing devices that do not support Unifying Software, e.g. devices supporting USB OTG with operating systems such as Android: first pair to the receiver on a PC or Mac.
Some older Unifying devices limit the number of allowable pairing changes to a maximum of 45 times. Once the 45th connection is made, it is no longer possible to connect such a device to a different receiver. For users who often switch a Unifying device between multiple PCs or laptops with individual receivers, this connection limit can become an issue. For example, a user who frequently switches a mouse between two receivers (e.g. at work and home) will quickly exhaust the limit of available pairing switches. Logitech advises customers with this issue to contact their Customer Care. Newer devices can switch pairings an unlimited number of times.
Pairing software is available from Logitech for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. Wireless devices using the Unifying Receiver are supported since Linux 3.2. Software to manage Unifying devices on Linux is available from third party developers, such as Solaar.
Many companies have made peripherals that connect via USB wireless receivers very similar to Logitech's; Logitech devices are incompatible with many of these "off-brand" receivers.
There are many different hardware versions of the unifying receiver. The most common is used for daily use, and is marked CU-0007 on the metal jacket. CU-0008 is distributed with gaming devices, and features lower latency.