Ways to control a Mac from iPhone or iPad, compared
Apple’s built-in features and remote-desktop apps solve different problems. This table shows what each one does, including where another tool is the better choice.
Checked September 24, 2026 against each vendor’s own pages · US prices
Quick answer
Sidecar and Universal Control are for an iPad sitting next to a Mac and don’t work with iPhone. Remote-desktop apps such as Screens 5 and Jump Desktop show the full Mac screen but have no media or presentation remote. Remote-mouse apps have the remotes but don’t show the screen. PalmDesk combines a live screen, a trackpad, a media remote and a presentation remote in one app for iPhone and iPad, free on the same Wi‑Fi and over the internet with Pro.
Feature comparison
| PalmDesk | Universal Control | Sidecar | Screen Sharing + VNC app | Screens 5 | Jump Desktop | Remote Mouse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control a Mac from iPhone | Yes | No | No | With a third-party viewer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Control a Mac from iPad | Yes | Keyboard and trackpad only | Touch and Pencil on the extended display | With a third-party viewer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| See the Mac screen | Yes | No | As a second display | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Trackpad and keyboard | Yes | Physical only | From the Mac | Depends on the app | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Media remote | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Paid add-on |
| Presentation remote | Yes, with notes and timer | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Works over the internet | Yes, with Pro | No, within 10 m | No, 10 m or USB | Needs VPN or network setup | Yes | Yes | Same network |
| On the Mac | Free PalmDesk app | Built in | Built in | Built in | Screen Sharing, plus Screens Connect for remote access | Free Jump Desktop Connect | Free helper app |
| Price | Free on Wi‑Fi; Pro $2.99/mo or $19.99/yr | Free | Free | Free, plus the viewer app | $3.99/mo, $29.99/yr or $179.99 once | $14.99 once on iOS | Free with ads; Pro $1.49/mo or $13.99/yr |
When PalmDesk isn’t the right choice
- You need Windows, Linux or Android. PalmDesk is for iPhone and iPad controlling a Mac; Jump Desktop and Remote Mouse cover more platforms.
- You want the Mac’s audio on your phone. PalmDesk 1.0 doesn’t stream sound; Jump Desktop does.
- You want an iPad as a second monitor. That’s exactly what Sidecar does, for free.
- You want your Mac’s keyboard to drive your iPad. That’s Universal Control.
- You need the login screen or a Mac that has just booted. Tools built on macOS Screen Sharing can reach the login window; PalmDesk needs a logged-in user.
Where PalmDesk fits best
One app for every job
Watch the screen, drive the pointer, run the movie and give the talk, without switching apps or reconnecting.
Built for touch
Gestures, a remote keyboard and dedicated remotes instead of a desktop squeezed onto a phone.
Private by design
End-to-end encrypted sessions, keys in the Keychain, no accounts and no analytics. Security details.
Questions
Can I use Sidecar with an iPhone?
No. Apple supports Sidecar and Universal Control on iPad only. To control a Mac from an iPhone you need an app such as PalmDesk.
Is PalmDesk a VNC client?
No. PalmDesk uses its own Mac app and WebRTC with H.264 hardware encoding, not VNC or macOS Screen Sharing.
What is the best free way to control a Mac from an iPhone?
On the same Wi‑Fi, PalmDesk is free with every mode and no time limit, including the live screen, trackpad, media remote and presentation remote.
Sources
- Apple: Use Universal Control
- Apple: Use Sidecar
- Apple: Turn Screen Sharing on or off
- Edovia: Screens 5 pricing
- App Store: Jump Desktop
- App Store: Remote Mouse
Sidecar, Universal Control and Screen Sharing are Apple features. Screens is a trademark of Edovia, Jump Desktop of Phase Five Systems, and Remote Mouse of its developer. PalmDesk is not affiliated with any of them.