Can I use my phone as a Stream Deck for Premiere Pro?
Yes. SofaDeck sends keystrokes to Premiere Pro from big phone buttons, so J, K, L, I, O, the Razor tool (C), ripple trims (Q, W), markers (M) and timeline zoom are one tap each. Single-key shortcuts are free; shortcuts with Ctrl or Shift, such as Add Edit (Ctrl+K) or Export (Ctrl+M), need SofaDeck Pro. There are no dials, so it complements a jog wheel rather than replacing one.
- Install SofaDeck on your PC (free)
- Scan the QR code with your phone
- Tap
Works on iPhone & Android — no app needed. Scan the QR code on your PC with the phone's camera and the remote opens in its browser. On Android you can also add the optional Google Play app.
Premiere Pro has a shortcut for nearly everything, and the most-used ones are single keys. A phone propped next to the keyboard makes them big, labeled targets, which is the idea behind a Stream Deck for editing, without buying one. SofaDeck presses the keys on the PC; Premiere can't tell the difference from a keyboard.
With SofaDeck Pro, a Smart page switches the phone to your Premiere buttons whenever Premiere comes to the front, and back to your everyday page when it doesn't.
Set it up in 5 steps
- Install SofaDeck on the editing PC and pair your phone.
- Add Key buttons for the shortcuts below, starting with J, K, L, I and O.
- Click into the Timeline panel once: Premiere's shortcuts depend on which panel has focus.
- Label buttons by what they do ("Razor", "Ripple trim ←") and colour-code tools vs playback.
- With Pro, make the page a Smart page for Premiere Pro, and add combo shortcuts like Ctrl+K.
Buttons to add for Premiere Pro
| Button | What it sends | What it does | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play / Stop | Key: Space | Plays or stops the timeline. | Free |
| J / K / L | Keys: J, K, L | Shuttle: J back, K stop, L forward (tap again for faster). | Free |
| Mark In / Out | Keys: I, O | I marks In, O marks Out. | Free |
| Selection tool | Key: V | Switches to the Selection tool. | Free |
| Razor tool | Key: C | Switches to the Razor tool. | Free |
| Ripple trim ← / → | Keys: Q, W | Q trims the previous edit to the playhead, W the next. | Free |
| Previous / next edit | Keys: ↑, ↓ | ↑ and ↓ jump the playhead between edit points. | Free |
| Add marker | Key: M | Adds a marker at the playhead. | Free |
| Zoom in / out | Keys: =, -, \ | = zooms the timeline in, - zooms out, \ fits the sequence. | Free |
| Add edit | Hotkey: Ctrl + K | Cuts the targeted tracks at the playhead. | Pro |
| Undo | Hotkey: Ctrl + Z | Undo. | Pro |
| Export | Hotkey: Ctrl + M | Opens Export. | Pro |
| Rough-cut macro | Macro: several keys in a row | e.g. mark In, play 5 s, mark Out, insert: one tap. | Pro |
Premiere Pro's default Windows shortcuts (Keyboard Shortcuts menu shows yours). On a Mac, Cmd replaces Ctrl. Free covers one page of 12 buttons (pick the shortcuts you use most) and every single-key shortcut.
Or just say it
Tap the microphone on the phone (or type in the say-or-type bar) and SofaDeck runs the command on the PC. Any button also runs by saying its label. The full voice command list has the rest.
| Say | What happens |
|---|---|
razor / add marker | Runs the button with that label. |
type <words> | Types a title or a marker name into the focused field. |
volume 20 | Sets the PC's playback volume. |
What's free and what needs Pro
Everything in the table above is free except Add edit, Undo, Export, Rough-cut macro. Pro is from $6.99 once for every phone you pair, with no subscription, and adds unlimited pages, hotkey combos, macros and Smart pages that switch the phone to your Premiere Pro page when Premiere Pro comes to the front (Windows). SofaDeck also offers a 7-day Pro trial.
Limits, honestly
- No dials, jog wheel or sliders: buttons only. Scrubbing feels better on a hardware editor or a mouse.
- Keys go to the window in front, and Premiere applies them to the panel with focus (Timeline vs Source).
- Over Wi-Fi a tap takes a moment to arrive; fine for tools and marks, not for frame-accurate playing to a beat.
- SofaDeck has no Premiere plugin, so buttons can't show clip names or change label colour with the state of Premiere.
SofaDeck runs on Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit) and on the Mac (macOS 11 Big Sur or later, on Apple silicon or Intel). The phone needs only a browser: iPhone or Android, no app to install, on the same Wi-Fi as the PC.
Other ways to control Premiere Pro from your phone
Dedicated controllers (Loupedeck / Logitech editing consoles, a Stream Deck with the Premiere plugin, or a cheap macro pad) add dials and Premiere-aware buttons, at a hardware price. A phone deck is free to try and good for the dozen keys you use most.
Premiere Pro is a trademark of its owner. SofaDeck is made by Dixon App Studio and isn't affiliated with or endorsed by the makers of Premiere Pro. Shortcuts listed are the app's defaults at the time of writing and can change.
Frequently asked questions
Which Premiere Pro shortcuts are free in SofaDeck?
Every single-key shortcut: Space, J, K, L, I, O, V, C, Q, W, M, = , -, \ and the arrows. Shortcuts with Ctrl, Alt or Shift (Add edit, Undo, Export) need Pro.
Is a phone as good as a Stream Deck for editing?
For one-tap shortcuts, close: big labeled buttons, any key. A Stream Deck has physical keys and a Premiere plugin; a hardware console adds dials. The phone is free.
Does it work with Premiere on a Mac?
Yes. Allow SofaDeck under Accessibility, and use Cmd in combos where Windows uses Ctrl.
Can the phone switch pages when I open Premiere?
Yes, with Pro: a Smart page follows the app in front (Windows).