An iPhone can drive a Windows PC in two quite different ways. You can see and use the whole desktop on the phone's screen (remote desktop), or you can use the iPhone as a remote control: big buttons and voice commands that launch apps, pause music, change the volume and press shortcuts while you look at the PC's own screen. This guide covers both, what each needs, and the iPhone-specific steps that trip people up. For Android and tablets too, see the general guide to controlling a PC from any phone.
Which kind of control do you need?
- You're away from the PC, or need to click something specific (a file, a dialog, a settings page): use remote desktop.
- You're in the same room and just want things to happen (play, pause, volume, open Spotify, start a game, switch OBS scenes): a button deck is faster than pinching and zooming a tiny copy of your desktop.
Option 1: remote desktop on the iPhone
Chrome Remote Desktop is free from Google. Install the host on the PC from remotedesktop.google.com, install the iPhone app, sign in with the same Google account and set a PIN. It works across the internet, and on Windows Home as well as Pro.
Microsoft's Windows App (formerly the Remote Desktop app on iOS) connects to a PC that has Remote Desktop turned on. That setting exists only in Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education, not Windows Home, and reaching the PC from outside your network needs extra setup such as a VPN.
Both show the full desktop, which is powerful but fiddly on a 6-inch screen. They're the right tool when you need to see the screen.
Option 2: turn the iPhone into a button deck and voice remote
SofaDeck is a small tray app for Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit) (and for Macs). It serves a page of large, labeled buttons to your iPhone over your home Wi-Fi. Each button launches an app, file, folder or website, controls media and volume, presses keys or types text. Tap the mic and say "open Spotify", "volume 30" or the name of any button.
- Install SofaDeck from the download page. It shows a QR code the first time it runs; allow it through the Windows firewall on private networks when asked.
- Open the iPhone's Camera, point it at the QR code and tap the link.
- Type the 6-digit PIN shown on the PC. The deck opens in Safari.
- Tap Share → Add to Home Screen. The deck now opens full-screen from its own icon, like an app, with no App Store download.
- Edit the buttons on the PC. Free gives you one page of 12; Pro adds unlimited pages, hotkey combos and macros.
iPhone details worth knowing
- Voice needs the secure link. Safari only allows the microphone on https pages, and speech recognition needs iOS 14.5 or later. SofaDeck makes its own local certificate; trust it once under Settings → General → VPN & Device Management → SofaDeck Local CA → Install, then Settings → General → About → Certificate Trust Settings. Or tap Show Details → visit this website on the warning page. The full list of phrases is on the voice commands page.
- Screen Time restrictions can switch off speech recognition. If the mic never starts, check Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Same Wi-Fi only. SofaDeck refuses requests from outside your local network. That's a deliberate security choice, explained on the security page, and it means it won't work over mobile data.
- iPad works the same way, and its bigger screen fits a full grid comfortably. An old iPad on a stand next to the monitor makes a good permanent deck.
Good first buttons for an iPhone remote
- Play/pause, next track and volume: see controlling Spotify from your phone.
- Your most-used apps and folders, one tap each.
- Lock the PC, or turn the screen off when you leave the room.
- F11 for full-screen video, Esc to back out of it.
- Stream controls, if you broadcast: see the OBS phone remote guide.
Sleep, restart and shut down always ask first. SofaDeck shows a confirmation on the phone before any of them runs, so a stray tap in your pocket can't power off the PC.
Frequently asked questions
Can I control my PC from my iPhone for free?
Yes. Chrome Remote Desktop is free and shows your whole PC screen on the iPhone. SofaDeck's free version turns the iPhone into a button deck and voice remote for a Windows PC on the same Wi-Fi, with one page of 12 buttons; Pro is $9.99 once.
Do I need to install an app on my iPhone?
Not for SofaDeck. You scan a QR code with the iPhone camera, type the 6-digit PIN the PC shows, and the deck opens in Safari. Add it to your Home Screen so it opens full-screen like an app. Remote desktop tools such as Chrome Remote Desktop or Microsoft's Windows App do need an iPhone app.
Can I control my PC from my iPhone when I'm away from home?
Not with SofaDeck: it only answers devices on your home network, by design. To reach a PC over the internet, use a remote desktop tool such as Chrome Remote Desktop, or Microsoft's Windows App with a PC running Windows Pro.
Does voice control work on iPhone?
Yes, in Safari on iOS 14.5 or later. Safari only allows the microphone on secure pages, so trust SofaDeck's local certificate once (Settings → General → VPN & Device Management, then Certificate Trust Settings) or accept the warning page. The keyboard's dictation key in the text box works either way.