Macky is a secure mobile client that lets you connect to your Mac's screen and terminal from your iPhone using end-to-end encrypted WebRTC. It supports native shell (Zsh, Bash), Claude Code by Anthropic, Codex by OpenAI, and full remote desktop.

How does Macky connect my iPhone to my Mac?

Macky uses peer-to-peer WebRTC with DTLS-SRTP encryption. A signaling server coordinates the initial handshake, but all screen and terminal data flows directly between your devices without passing through any cloud server.

Yes. Macky uses four layers of security: E2E encrypted WebRTC transport, dual-layer identity verification (account tokens plus a master password), device allow-listing, and blind signaling where screen and terminal data never touches Macky's servers.

Does Macky log my terminal commands?

No. Macky has a zero-logs policy. Terminal commands, output, and screen data are never recorded, stored, or accessible by Macky's servers. All data is end-to-end encrypted between your devices.

What AI tools does Macky support?

Macky supports Claude Code (by Anthropic) and Codex (by OpenAI) in addition to native Zsh and Bash shells and full remote desktop, all accessible from your iPhone.

What are the system requirements for Macky?

The Mac host app requires macOS 15 or later. The iPhone remote app requires iOS 18 or later.

How much does Macky cost?

Macky offers a free Basic plan with 5-minute sessions, 1 Mac host, and 1 iPhone remote. The Pro plan costs $29 as a one-time lifetime payment and includes unlimited sessions, unlimited devices, 30-day connection logs, and background connect.

October 10, 20267 min read

Claude Code on iPhone and Mobile: 5 Ways to Use It (2026)

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Yes, you can use Claude Code from your iPhone. Claude Code still runs on your Mac. Your phone becomes its screen and keyboard.

There are five good ways to do it in 2026. Here is how each one works, what it costs and where it falls short.

Way	Setup	Other agents (Codex)	Full Mac shell	SSH to your servers	Mac screen	Open ports	Price
Remote Control	One command	No	No, Claude only	No	No	None	Included with Claude plans
Happy	CLI and app	Yes, Codex	No	No	No	None	Free
Nimbalyst	Desktop and iOS app	Some	No	No	No	None	Free for individuals
SSH + tmux	Remote Login, keys, VPN or port	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Port 22 or a VPN	App price
Macky	2 minutes	Yes, Codex mode	Yes	Yes	Yes	None	Free, Pro $29 once

1. Claude Remote Control: the official way

Anthropic built this into Claude Code. Run claude --remote-control in your project, or type /rc in a session that is already open. Then open the Code tab in the Claude app on iOS or Android and pick your session.

It works on Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans. Your code stays on your Mac. It can send a push notification when Claude needs your approval, which is handy.

It only covers that Claude session. You can't open a shell, run your own commands or reach other tools. If you close the terminal, the session goes offline. Our full Claude Code Remote Control guide covers setup and fixes.

2. Happy

Happy is a free, open source app for iPhone and Android. You install its CLI on your Mac and run happy in place of claude. Messages are end-to-end encrypted, and it can notify you when Claude is waiting. It works with Codex too.

Happy wraps the agent. You still don't get a normal terminal on your phone, and it can't show you the Mac's screen.

3. Nimbalyst

Nimbalyst is a desktop workspace for AI coding agents with a companion iOS app. You can watch and steer sessions from your phone. At the time of writing it is free for individuals. You bring your own Claude subscription or API key.

It is a whole new workspace to adopt. If you already like your terminal setup, that is a lot of change for a phone view.

4. SSH and tmux with Termius or Blink

This is the classic developer setup. Turn on Remote Login on your Mac, run Claude Code inside tmux, then connect from Termius or Blink. You get a real shell and can reattach any time.

Getting there takes work. You need port forwarding or a VPN like Tailscale to reach your Mac away from home, and your SSH keys have to live on the phone. See how to SSH into your Mac from iPhone.

5. Macky: your whole Mac on your iPhone

Macky gives your iPhone your Mac's own terminal. Claude Code runs exactly as it does at your desk. You see every line it prints and type into it directly.

Install Macky on your Mac and your iPhone, sign in on both, and connect. You don't open ports, copy SSH keys or set up a VPN. The connection goes straight between your devices and is end-to-end encrypted.

What you get

Claude Code and Codex modes: open your agent in one tap.
Key bar: Esc, Tab and Ctrl sit above the keyboard. Approve with y and Enter. Stop a run with Ctrl+C.
The whole Mac: switch to a plain shell, run ssh my-vps with the keys already on your Mac, or open the full desktop.
Lid closed: with Pro, your MacBook can stay closed on the desk and keep working.
Background connect: with Pro, your session stays connected in the background.
Safe by default: every new device has to be approved on your Mac, and a master password protects the terminal.

Macky is free to try with 5 minute sessions. Pro is a one-time $29. Get it on the App Store.

How to run Claude Code from your iPhone with Macky

First, install Claude Code on your Mac:

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

Or with npm:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Run claude in your project and sign in with /login. Your Claude subscription works.
Install Macky on your Mac and your iPhone, then sign in on both.
Tap your Mac to connect, open the Claude Code mode and give it a task.
When Claude asks for approval, tap y and then Enter. To stop it, tap Ctrl and then C.

Use tmux for long tasks

For long jobs, start Claude Code inside tmux. If anything disconnects, the task keeps going and you can attach again.

tmux new -s claude

claude

To come back later:

tmux attach -t claude

Keep your Mac awake

Claude Code stops when your Mac sleeps. With Macky Pro you can use your MacBook with the lid closed. Without it, keep the lid open and run caffeinate -i in another tab while a task runs.

All the caffeinate options are in our caffeinate guide.

When this is useful

On your commute: start a task before you leave and check it on the train.
On the couch: keep work moving without opening the laptop.
Overnight: start a big job before bed and check it in the morning.

Which one should you use?

You only use Claude Code and want the official path: Remote Control.
You want a free app with notifications: Happy.
You want a new workspace built around agents: Nimbalyst.
You already run SSH and tmux: Termius or Blink.
You want your whole Mac in your pocket, with Claude Code, Codex, your servers and your screen: Macky.

Using Codex too? See how to use Codex from iPhone. Having connection trouble? Read Claude Code Remote Control not working.

FAQ

Can I use Claude Code on my iPhone?

Yes. Claude Code runs on your computer and your iPhone connects to it. You can use Anthropic's Remote Control, an app like Happy, SSH or Macky.

Is there an official Claude Code mobile app?

Claude Code lives in the Claude app for iOS and Android. Use the Code tab with Remote Control to steer a session running on your computer.

Does Claude Code run on the iPhone itself?

No. It needs a Mac or a Linux or Windows machine. Your phone only controls it.

Do I need an API key to use Claude Code from my phone?

No. A Claude Pro or Max subscription works. Remote Control actually requires a claude.ai login and does not work with API keys.

Can I approve Claude Code's changes from my phone?

Yes. Remote Control and Happy show approval prompts in their apps. In Macky you see the prompt in the terminal and tap y and Enter.

Will Claude Code keep running if I close my MacBook?

Only if the Mac stays awake. With Macky Pro you can use the Mac with the lid closed. Otherwise keep the lid open and run caffeinate.

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