How to Use iPhone as Mouse for Mac (And Keyboard).
We often find ourselves in a situation where we want to control our MacBook from our iPhones. Whether it’s a movie night on the cozy couch or listening to music at your home party. Not everyone uses these big and expensive Bluetooth speakers, but we always need to control the media. So, I found exactly the application that some of you may find really convenient, since these are all solutions under the same name. Let’s see how it works.
Read: How to Use iPhone as a Speaker for Mac
Use iPhone as a mouse for Mac
To use an iPhone as a trackpad on a Mac, we’ll use a simple Remote Mouse app. The application has both free and paid versions, which differ in services. Services such as mouse controls, app launcher, portrait keyboard are available in the free version. While the horizontal keyboard, media controls and system controls are all part of the professional version of the app. But for the most part, you can do all the necessary steps in the free version itself.
Download Remote Mouse iOS | macOS (Free, $ 2)
Step 1: Download the apps on both devices
To use iPhone to control Mac, you need to have Remote Mouse installed on both iPhone and computer. The links are available above and both versions of the app are initially available on the app store.
Step 2: Connect via Wi-Fi
Once you’ve downloaded the apps on both devices, open the app on your iPhone and look for connections at the top of the screen. Initially, the message “Connection error” will be displayed.
Click on the marked section and you will see the name of your MacBook. Remember to keep both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. If you still don’t see your device name, start the macOS app again. When it becomes visible, just click on it to connect.
Step 3: Call via IP address or QR code
If you don’t have a Wi-Fi connection, you can simply click on the “+” sign in the upper right corner to view additional options. However, you still need to be on a 3G or 4G network.
You can choose any option here. Click on history to connect to a previously connected device. Or, if you are a new user, go to other options.
To connect devices via IP, first go to the macOS app. If the app is running, it is probably on the menu bar as it doesn’t have such an interface.
Click on “Show IP Address” and you will see a small pop-up window with the address.
In the iPhone app where you clicked on the “+” sign. Now select the IP address option and paste the IP shown in your macOS app.
To connect using a QR code, click Show QR Code in the macOS app. A small pop-up window with a QR code will appear.
In the iPhone app, tap Scan QR Code. Allow camera resolution and scan QR code on Mac screen.
Step 4: iPhone as a trackpad
Once your devices are connected, just open the iPhone app. The blank screen is your trackpad with a scroll bar on the right and mouse buttons at the bottom. You can move around the cursor, scroll through pages and click links through the iPhone itself. You can even do swipe gestures like you do on a Mac trackpad.
Read: How to Use an iPhone as a Wireless Microphone for Mac
Step 5: iPhone as keyboard
As long as your devices are connected, you can access the iPhone keyboard to enter data on your MacBook. Just tap the keyboard icon at the bottom of the iPhone app and a keyboard pop-up will appear on the screen. If you have the paid version, you can even use the keyboard in landscape mode.
Bonus options
Step 6: iPhone as a media controller
In the iPhone app, click the media button at the bottom to access the media controls on your MacBook. You can play / pause, rewind / fast forward and control almost all basic functions with this remote control.
Step 7: iPhone as app launcher
Almost all the applications that appear on the launch bar can be launched on a MacBook. Click on an application window, such as an icon, at the bottom of the iPhone application, and you will see all applications in the Mac launcher. Click any app to launch it on the Mac and navigate the trackpad and keyboard.
Step 8: Launch Controls in Mac Browser via iPhone
Although you already have so many options to control your MacBook with your mouse and keyboard. But the app on your iPhone gives you more control over your browser by giving you several quick control options in a dedicated tab. Click the browser tab in the iPhone app to access the options. You can access the back button, zoom in / out on web pages, and even click on some quick links to websites you use frequently.
Step 9: MacBook system controls on your iPhone
As if that were more than enough already, you can even take control of your Mac system from the iPhone itself. This means you don’t have to get off the couch even after the movie is finished. You can log out, go to sleep, or even shut down the system from the iPhone app itself. This is again a paid feature, but worth it.
Closing words
Now we have the same thought, this app should probably work on changing its name. It does more than the name suggests, which is why I have told you more than I intended. But there are some gaps between iOS and macOS that most of us have been looking forward to. Well, come on, try the app. Start with the free version, and if you find it useful, a $ 2 purchase will make it even better. As always, share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below.
Read: Apps to use your phone camera as a webcam for PC and Mac