How to Control Your MacBook with iPhone: Remote Screen & Terminal (2026)
Full desktop viewing, intuitive trackpad gestures, and instant shell access right from your iPhone.
Whether you need to grab a file, click a confirmation button in Xcode, monitor a long-running compile, or shut down your Mac after stepping away, controlling your MacBook with your iPhone should be effortless. Macky delivers seamless remote screen sharing and high-speed terminal access with zero lag.
Key Advantages
Low Latency Touch Navigation
Smooth cursor control, two-finger scrolling, pinch-to-zoom, and native keyboard integration make navigating macOS on a phone screen responsive and natural.
Works Even When Mac is in Clamshell Mode
Connect to your MacBook at home or your Mac Mini under your desk without needing an external monitor attached.
Switch Between Screen and Terminal in One Tap
Need to click a GUI window? Use Screen mode. Need to run a fast bash script without burning cellular data? Switch to Terminal mode instantly.
Step-by-Step Implementation
Download Macky on macOS
Install the Macky host app on your MacBook and grant Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions in macOS System Settings.
Install Macky on iOS
Download the iPhone app from the App Store and log in.
Start Remote Control Session
Select your MacBook from the device list. Choose between Remote Desktop Screen mode or Terminal CLI mode.
Quick Command Cheatsheet
Put Mac to sleep
Instantly puts your Mac into sleep mode.
pmset sleepnowLock screen immediately
Turns off displays and triggers lock screen security.
pmset displaysleepnowCheck battery status
Displays MacBook battery percentage and power adapter status.
pmset -g battFrequently Asked Questions
Can I control my MacBook when I am away from home on 5G?
Yes. Macky automatically traverses NAT and router firewalls using WebRTC, allowing you to connect securely from cellular networks anywhere in the world.
Does Macky require keeping the MacBook lid open?
If your MacBook is plugged into power or configured for clamshell mode, Macky can connect and stream your display even with the lid closed.
Run Your Mac from Anywhere
Download Macky to access your full Mac terminal and desktop from your iPhone.