Wireless Mac control
Use an iPhone as a wireless controller for a Mac over the local network. The connection is automatic once both apps are installed and on the same Wi‑Fi.
PhoneDeck
PhoneDeck turns an iPhone into a wireless controller for a Mac, with tiles for launching apps and triggering selected system controls. It is free, runs over local Wi‑Fi, and requires no extra hardware.
Overview
PhoneDeck is a Mac controller app that turns an iPhone into a wireless remote for launching apps and triggering selected system controls. It is positioned as a software-only alternative to dedicated hardware controllers, using the iPhone many people already have.
The workflow is split between a Mac app and an iPhone app. The Mac side acts as the command center for arranging pages, apps, and controls, while the iPhone displays those tiles and sends taps back to the Mac over local Wi‑Fi.
According to the site, setup is intentionally simple: install both apps, keep them on the same network, and connect automatically without a PIN or pairing code. PhoneDeck says the connection stays local, with no cloud account or telemetry, and the core product is free forever.
Current system requirements listed on the site are iOS 17+ on iPhone XS or newer and macOS 14+ (Sonoma and above). The homepage also notes that a Mac App Store version is coming soon.
Features
One-tap app launching
Tap a tile on the iPhone to launch a matching Mac app instantly. The Mac app organizes apps into pages and the iPhone mirrors those tiles.
Custom pages and swipe navigation
Create separate pages for different workflows such as design, development, or music, and swipe between them on the iPhone.
Drag-and-drop page setup
Drag apps and controls into tiles from the Mac app. The site also says there is a full app library and live iPhone preview while you build layouts.
System control tiles
Place system controls such as volume, brightness, keyboard backlight, media playback, dictation, and screenshots on any page as tiles.
Landscape support
Lay the iPhone flat for a landscape tile layout. The page says the tiles rotate with the device when it is placed beside the keyboard.
Common use cases
Switch between workflow pages
Keep frequently used apps on separate pages for design, development, music, or other recurring workflows, then open them from the iPhone without returning to the Mac keyboard and trackpad.
Trigger system controls from the desk
Use tiles for volume, brightness, media playback, screenshots, dictation, and keyboard backlight when you want quick access to system actions from the desk beside your screen.
Use the iPhone as a desk controller
Place the iPhone beside the keyboard in landscape mode and use it as a compact control surface that stays visible but out of the way while you work.
Replace a separate hardware controller
Set up a minimal controller without buying dedicated hardware, since the product is designed around the iPhone you already own.
Build and adjust layouts on the Mac
Keep the Mac app open as a layout editor with live preview while arranging apps and controls, which is useful when refining page structure before using it day to day.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Uses an iPhone many people already own, with no extra controller hardware needed.
- Local-network setup is simple: same Wi‑Fi, automatic Mac discovery, and no pairing code.
- Supports both app launching and a range of system controls from the iPhone.
- Provides separate pages, swipe navigation, and a live preview in the Mac app for building layouts.
- Runs locally with no cloud account, no telemetry, and no internet dependency for operation.
Cons
- Requires both the Mac and iPhone apps to be on v1.1 to connect, according to the homepage.
- Current support is limited to iOS 17+ with iPhone XS or newer and macOS 14+; older iPhones are not yet supported.
- The site mentions a Mac App Store version coming soon, so current distribution appears to be through direct download.
FAQ
How do I set it up?
You install the PhoneDeck app on your iPhone and on your Mac, then connect both devices on the same Wi‑Fi network. The site says PhoneDeck finds your Mac automatically, with no setup, PIN, or pairing code.
What does PhoneDeck control?
PhoneDeck is built to control a Mac from an iPhone. The homepage describes the iPhone as the controller and the Mac app as the command center for launching apps and system controls.
Does PhoneDeck send data to the cloud?
The site says PhoneDeck uses local Wi‑Fi and Apple’s Multipeer Connectivity, with no cloud account, no telemetry, and no internet required.
What devices and operating systems are supported?
PhoneDeck requires iOS 17+ and an iPhone XS or newer. On the Mac side, it requires macOS 14+ (Sonoma and above).
Is PhoneDeck free?
The source says core features stay free forever. It also notes that pro features may come later, but no pricing details for those are provided on the pages collected here.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Mac controller / productivity
- Platform
- iPhone and Mac
- iPhone requirement
- iOS 17+; iPhone XS or newer
- Mac requirement
- macOS 14+; Sonoma and above
- Connection
- Local Wi‑Fi using Apple Multipeer Connectivity
- Source domain
- phonedeck.io
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