Apple has plenty of links between the iPhone and the Mac, but most of them go the wrong way for this job. iPhone Mirroring shows your iPhone on the Mac; Universal Control pairs a Mac with an iPad. To make your iPhone control your Mac, you have three practical routes: built-in Screen Sharing, Keynote's own remote for presentations, or a button-and-voice remote such as SofaDeck. Here's what each does and how to set it up.
Option 1: Screen Sharing with a VNC app
macOS includes a screen-sharing server that speaks the standard VNC protocol. Turn it on under System Settings → General → Sharing → Screen Sharing, then connect from a VNC viewer app on the iPhone that supports macOS Screen Sharing, using the Mac's local address and your Mac account. You see and click the whole desktop. It's best for occasional tasks like approving a dialog or grabbing a file, and it's hard work on a small screen for anything long. Reaching the Mac from outside your home network needs a VPN or a remote-access service.
Option 2: Keynote Remote for presentations
If you only want to move slides, Keynote on the iPhone can act as a remote for Keynote on the Mac, with the next slide and presenter notes on the phone. For PowerPoint or PDFs, see the guide to using a phone as a presentation remote.
Option 3: a button deck and voice remote with SofaDeck
SofaDeck runs from the Mac's menu bar (macOS 11 Big Sur or later, on Apple silicon or Intel) and serves a grid of big buttons to your iPhone's browser over your home Wi-Fi. There's no iPhone app to install and no account. Each button can open an app, file, folder or link, control music and volume, press keys, type text, and (with Pro) send shortcuts or run multi-step macros. Tap the mic to say "play", "volume 30", "open Music" or any button's name.
- Download the Mac version from the download page, open the DMG and drag SofaDeck to Applications. It's Developer ID-signed and notarized by Apple, so Gatekeeper lets it open.
- Start it. Click Allow when macOS asks about finding devices on your local network; without that, the iPhone can't connect.
- If you want buttons that press keys or shortcuts, allow SofaDeck under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility. The settings page shows whether it's allowed and links straight there.
- Scan the QR code from the menu-bar item with the iPhone camera and type the 6-digit PIN the Mac shows.
- In Safari, tap Share → Add to Home Screen so the deck opens full-screen from its own icon.
What works well from the couch or the desk
- Music and video: play/pause, next and previous use the Mac's media keys, so they reach Music, Spotify and most players.
- Volume and mute: "volume 30" sets the Mac's output volume exactly.
- Apps: SofaDeck imports your Applications folder for free, so "open Safari" or an app button works straight away.
- Shortcuts (Pro): Command and Option combos, such as a screenshot shortcut or your editor's export command. In a shortcut, Windows and Alt map to Command and Option on a Mac.
- Screen off, sleep, lock: sleep and shut down ask for confirmation on the phone first.
- Retro games (Pro): import your OpenEmu library and launch games by voice, the Mac counterpart to the LaunchBox remote on Windows.
Troubleshooting
- The iPhone can't load the deck: check both are on the same Wi-Fi (not a guest network), and that Local Network is on for SofaDeck under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network.
- Buttons open apps but keys do nothing: Accessibility isn't allowed yet. After allowing it, quit and reopen SofaDeck.
- The mic button won't start: Safari needs the secure link. Trust SofaDeck's local certificate as the pairing page shows, or use the keyboard's dictation key in the text box.
Home network only. SofaDeck answers only devices on your local network. For control from anywhere, Screen Sharing over a VPN is the better fit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remote control my Mac from my iPhone?
Yes. To see the whole Mac screen, turn on Screen Sharing in System Settings → General → Sharing and connect with a VNC app on the iPhone. To use the iPhone as a button remote for apps, media, volume and shortcuts, run a deck app such as SofaDeck on the Mac and open its page on the iPhone.
Does iPhone Mirroring let my iPhone control my Mac?
No. iPhone Mirroring in macOS Sequoia works the other way round: it shows and controls your iPhone from the Mac. Universal Control shares a keyboard and mouse between a Mac and an iPad, not an iPhone.
What permissions does SofaDeck need on a Mac?
Allow Local Network when macOS asks, so the iPhone can reach the Mac. Buttons that press keys, send shortcuts or type text also need SofaDeck to be allowed under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility. Launching apps, opening links and changing the volume work without it.
Does it work on Apple silicon and Intel Macs?
SofaDeck for Mac is a universal app for Apple silicon and Intel, and needs macOS 11 Big Sur or later. It's a Developer ID-signed, notarized download from sofadeck.com rather than a Mac App Store app, because the App Store's sandbox wouldn't let it control other apps.