Even if you know your way around your iPhone pretty well, chances are there are some cool things about the device you are unfamiliar with. One such thing is the ability to use your iOS device as a wireless mouse for a Mac.
Yes, you heard right. You can actually use your iPhone worth hundreds of dollars as a mouse. Of course, there is no official Apple support, but we can rely on third-party apps on the App Store.
Many apps offer the ability to use an iPhone as a mouse for Mac. However, we will opt for Remote Mouse, a free app that turns your iPhone and iPad into a wireless mouse, keyboard, and trackpad. We will show you how in the section below.
How to Use iPhone as Mouse for Mac
While most people do not use their shiny iPhones as a wireless mouse for Mac, it’s still a great solution if your Mac’s keyboard sometimes does not work.
Step 1: Head to the App Store and download Remote Mouse for iPhone.
Step 2: Go to the Remote Mouse homepage on your Mac and download the right server for your operating system (macOS).
Step 3: Launch the server you downloaded earlier on your Mac and then open the app on your iPhone. You will be asked to grant the app access to your local network and Bluetooth.
Step 4: Your Mac’s name should appear on the list. If it does not, ensure both devices are on the same wireless network.
Step 5: Tap on the device’s name to initiate a connection. If that does not work, chances are that Remote Mouse is not allowed to control your computer.
To enable this setting, head to System Preferences > Security & Privacy. From the Privacy tab, tap Accessibility from the left menu. Click on the padlock in the bottom left corner and provide your admin password. Now, check the box next to Remote Mouse from the list of apps.
Step 6: Now, you can use your iPhone as a mouse for your Mac.
Any Alternative App Option?
Yes, as mentioned above, many apps help turn your iPhone into a mouse for Mac. Mobile Mouse Remote is one of the highly-rated apps for utilizing your iPhone as a mouse.
Basically, it offers similar functionality, but it’s not free, starting at $1,99. The app offers multiple options to pair up with your Mac, but we are going for the easiest one, Wi-Fi. So, ensure your iPhone and Mac are on the same network before proceeding.
Step 1: Download and install the app on your iPhone. Once it’s done, download the software for free to your Mac. You can get it from the Mac App Store.
Step 2: You must grant the app access to Accessibility on your Mac. Go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Privacy. From here, tick the box next to Mobile Mouse Server from the list of apps, click on the padlock, and enter your admin password to confirm.
Step 3: You should see your computer within the app if everything is set correctly. Tap on it, and you can move your mouse around using your iPhone.
Are These Types of Apps Safe?
Yes, they are safe. According to Apple, all app developers must disclose what user data they collect. Mobile Mouse does not collect data, while Remote Mouse tracks data, mainly for ads personalization.