REMOTE ACCESS · PRO

Reach your Mac from your iPhone
when you are away from home

With MacSway Pro and Tailscale you can reach your Mac from your iPhone away from home: see its screen, click, type and send files. Install Tailscale on both devices with the same account, and keep the Mac on and plugged in. MacSway is not a VPN, and there is no MacSway account or server.

Free to start · iOS 17+ · macOS 14+ · Both apps required
Signed and notarized by Apple · macOS 14+ · Apple silicon and Intel
MacSway Favorites screen
✦
Away from homeTailscale and Pro
No MacSway accountDirect connection
NO ACCOUNT · NO CLOUD RELAYSee features
01

How you reach your Mac away from home

MacSway is an iPhone app that reaches your Mac over Wi-Fi at home and over Tailscale away from home. Remote access is part of MacSway Pro.

  • Screen: see and control the Mac screen live on your iPhone.
  • Keyboard and cursor: type and click as if you were there.
  • File transfer: send a file to the Mac's Downloads folder, up to 1 GB.
  • Sound: use the Sound button to hear the Mac's audio.
MacSway
MacSway
02

When it helps

When the Mac stays at home or at the office and you are somewhere else.

  • While working: get to a file or a setting on the Mac.
  • On a long task: look in on a build or render from another city.
  • With a home server: check that the Mac mini is running.
  • Important: the Mac has to stay on, plugged in and running the Mac app.
MacSway
MacSway

Set up in four steps

01↗
↓

Install Tailscale on the iPhone and the Mac, and sign in to both with the same account.

02↗
↓

Start the MacSway Mac app on the Mac and keep it on and plugged in. Steps: Prepare your Mac.

03↗
• • •
• • •

On the iPhone, choose Remote Connection in MacSway's device picker.

04✓
✓

If you have not yet, get MacSway Pro: remote access is a Pro feature.

Remote access at a glance

01↗
↓

What you need

MacSway Pro, Tailscale on both devices with the same account, internet, and a Mac that is on, plugged in and running the Mac app. It works with any Mac running macOS 14 or later: MacBook Air and Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio and Mac Pro, with Apple silicon or Intel.

02↗

What it costs

Remote access is part of MacSway Pro: $3.99 a month, $24.99 a year or $49 once (US prices). Eligible new subscribers get a 7-day free trial.

03↗

How private it is

MacSway is not a VPN and uses no server of its own: the connection is direct, encrypted with TLS 1.3, over your own Tailscale network.

04✓
↓

Limits

A Mac that is asleep or has its lid closed cannot be reached. Waking works only on the local network, and even there not reliably.

AWAY FROM HOME

Reach your Mac
when you are away.

At home MacSway works over your Wi-Fi. Away from home, set up Tailscale on both devices and MacSway reaches your Mac across networks. Leave the Mac on and plugged in, with the companion app running. No MacSway account required.

DownloadBoth devices need Tailscale and internet. The Mac must stay on and reachable: plugged in, with a long auto-lock or in Rest mode.
PRICING

Free to start.
Pro when you need more.

Trackpad, keyboard and volume are free. Pro adds the screen sharing, widgets and remote access.

FREE
$0forever

Everyday control at no cost.

  • Local trackpad and gestures
  • Keyboard input
  • Volume controls
Try it
MOST POPULAR
PRO
$3.99/ month

Screen sharing, widgets and remote access.

  • Screen sharing and control
  • Widgets and favorite shortcuts
  • Remote access with Tailscale
  • All additional control tools
7-day trial for eligible subscriptions · annual option available
Try it
LIFETIME PRO
$49one time

Every Pro feature, paid once.

  • All Pro tools included
  • Non-renewing purchase
  • No recurring subscription
Try it

Build for community. Build from anywhere. 💙

FAQ

Common
questions.

Quick answers before you install.

How do I reach my Mac from my iPhone when I am not at home?

With MacSway Pro and Tailscale you can reach your Mac from your iPhone away from home. Install Tailscale on both devices with the same account, keep the Mac on, plugged in and running the MacSway Mac app, then choose Remote Connection on the iPhone.

What is Tailscale, and do I need an account?

Tailscale is a separate app made by a third party, with its own account and terms. MacSway does not install, configure or control it, and only connects to the Mac's Tailscale address.

Is MacSway a VPN?

No, MacSway is not a VPN: it does not route or inspect your traffic. Access away from home runs over your own, separate Tailscale network.

Do I need Pro for access away from home?

Yes, access away from home is part of MacSway Pro. Pro costs $3.99 a month, $24.99 a year or $49 once in the US, and eligible new subscribers get a 7-day free trial on the monthly and yearly plans.

What must stay running on the Mac for remote access?

For MacSway remote access the Mac has to stay on, plugged in and running the MacSway Mac app, and both devices need Tailscale and internet. Turning on Rest mode is a good idea.

Can I reach a sleeping Mac remotely with MacSway?

No, when the Mac is in system sleep or has its lid closed it disconnects. Waking the Mac works only on the local network, and not reliably; Rest mode is the dependable option, as it turns the display off while the Mac stays reachable.

Does MacSway work over mobile data?

Yes, MacSway Pro reaches the Mac over Tailscale from another network, including mobile data, as long as Tailscale runs on both devices and there is internet.

Does my Mac screen pass through a MacSway server during remote access?

No, MacSway uses no server and no account of its own. The connection between the iPhone and the Mac is direct, encrypted with TLS 1.3, over your own Tailscale network.

Control your Mac
from your iPhone.

Install the Mac app and the iPhone app, pair with a six-digit code, and start.

Download on theApp StoreDownload for Mac:MacSway.DMG

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