RPadUse your iPhone as a trackpad for your Mac
Your iPhone or iPad can be a wireless trackpad, mouse and keyboard for your Mac. RPad turns the whole screen into a trackpad with the gestures you already know, over your own Wi‑Fi.
It is handy when the Mac is connected to a TV, when you sit back from a desk, or when the built-in trackpad or mouse is out of reach. You don't need a cable, Bluetooth pairing or an account.
How to set it up
- Install RPad on your Mac from the Mac App Store. The Mac app is free and lives in the menu bar.
- Open it and turn on RPad in System Settings › Privacy & Security › Accessibility. macOS asks this of every app that moves the pointer or types.
- Install RPad on your iPhone or iPad from the App Store, open it and allow Local Network access.
- Tap your Mac in the list and type the 6-digit code shown on the Mac. You pair once; next time the iPhone connects by itself.
Both devices need to be on the same Wi‑Fi network. If your Mac doesn't show up, the support page has the usual fixes.
What you can do
| On iPhone | On the Mac |
|---|---|
| Move one finger | Move the pointer |
| Tap · double-tap | Click · double-click |
| Two-finger tap | Right-click |
| Move two fingers | Scroll, with momentum |
| Tap, then touch and move | Drag |
| Swipe with three fingers | Mission Control, app windows, switch spaces |
- Keyboard: type in any Mac app with the iPhone keyboard, including accents and emoji, plus esc, tab, arrows and ⌘ ⌥ ⌃ ⇧ shortcuts.
- Media keys: play, pause, skip and change the volume.
- Screen mode: see the Mac's display on your iPhone or iPad and tap right on it.
- Present mode and Apple Watch: change slides from your phone or your wrist. See the presentation remote guide.
- Apple Pencil: on iPad, draw in Mac apps with pressure and tilt.
Acceleration works like a real trackpad: slow movements are precise, and a quick swipe crosses the whole display.
Private by design
Pairing uses the code on your Mac, and everything between the devices is encrypted end to end. RPad has no account and no servers, and it collects no data. It only works on your local network.
Price
Everything is free for 7 days. After that, RPad Pro is a one-time purchase of $5.99 that includes iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and the Mac app. No subscription.
Using a PC instead? See how to control a Windows PC with your iPhone, RPad for Windows or RPad for Linux.
Questions
Can I use my iPhone as a mouse for my Mac?
Yes. With RPad on both devices, your iPhone moves the pointer, clicks, right-clicks, drags and scrolls on your Mac. It behaves like a trackpad rather than a mouse, so you can use gestures too.
Does it work over Bluetooth?
No. RPad connects over your Wi‑Fi network, which keeps latency low. Both devices need to be on the same network.
Which Macs and iPhones are supported?
A Mac with macOS 14 Sonoma or later, and an iPhone or iPad with iOS 17 or later. Apple Watch needs watchOS 10 or later.
Why does the Mac app need Accessibility permission?
macOS only lets an app move the pointer, click and type once you allow it in Privacy & Security › Accessibility. RPad uses the permission only for the input you send from your paired iPhone.
Is it free?
The Mac app is free. The iPhone and iPad app is free for 7 days, then RPad Pro is a single purchase. There is no subscription.