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How to control your Mac
from an Android phone.

A step-by-step guide to viewing and controlling your Mac's desktop from an Android phone or tablet with Tetherly: install, pair with a QR code, and connect.

Published

Apple doesn't make an Android app for controlling a Mac, and most remote desktop apps treat the phone as an afterthought. Tetherly gives you your Mac's real desktop on your Android phone or tablet, with touch controls designed for it.

What you need

  • A Mac running macOS 14 or later, with Apple silicon or an Intel processor.
  • An Android phone or tablet running Android 12 or later.
  • Both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. To connect from elsewhere, add Tailscale.

Step by step

  1. Install Tetherly on your Mac. Download the Mac app, open the DMG and drag Tetherly to Applications. Open it and find its icon in the menu bar.
  2. Give your Mac permission. Allow Screen Recording so Tetherly can show your screen, and Accessibility so it can move the pointer and type. Allow Local Network access and incoming connections through the macOS firewall when asked.
  3. Install Tetherly on Android. Download the Android app and allow your browser to install it when Android asks.
  4. Show the pairing code. In the Mac menu bar app, turn on Allow connections and choose Pair New Device. A QR code appears.
  5. Scan and compare. Open Tetherly on your phone and scan the QR code. Both screens now show the same short code. Confirm on your phone that they match, then approve on your Mac.
  6. Connect. Your Mac's desktop appears on your phone. Next time, just pick your Mac from your paired devices and tap Connect.

Getting around

  • Touch mode: tap where you want to click, and drag to move things.
  • Trackpad mode: use the screen like a laptop trackpad, with the pointer staying where you leave it.
  • Keyboard: use your phone's keyboard or dictation. The key bar adds Command, Option, Control, fn and F1 to F12.
  • Mission Control: tap the Mission Control button to see all your windows and desktops.
  • Clipboard and files: send or fetch clipboard text, and send files either way. The receiving device accepts each file.

If your phone can't find your Mac

Check that both devices are on the same network and the Mac is awake with Tetherly running. Guest Wi-Fi and some office networks stop devices from seeing each other. If the QR scanner isn't available, you can choose the Mac under Nearby or enter the address shown in the Mac app. The support page covers more.