Fernblick
Remote desktop for your Mac – from iPhone and iPad.
Fernblick connects to your Mac using the Screen Sharing built into macOS. See your screen, control it with touch, trackpad, mouse or Apple Pencil, and type with the on-screen or a hardware keyboard. No extra software on the Mac, no account.
- Macs on your local network are found automatically (Bonjour); on the go, connect via VPN.
- Sign in with your macOS user account; the password is stored securely in the keychain, optionally protected by Face ID.
- Zoom, direct touch or trackpad mode, right-click, scrolling, dragging.
- Key bar with ⌘ ⌥ ⌃ ⇧ and shortcuts like ⌘Tab, Spotlight and Mission Control.
- Send text (including dictation), shared clipboard, “Unlock Mac” at the push of a button.
- Widget and shortcut: connect with a single tap.
Setting up your Mac
- On the Mac, open System Settings › General › Sharing.
- Turn on Screen Sharing.
- Use the ⓘ next to “Screen Sharing” to choose which users may connect (e.g. “Only these users” and your account).
- Open Fernblick: your Mac appears under “On the Network”. Tap it, enter your Mac account’s user name and password – done.
Tip: to keep the Mac reachable, enable “Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off” or “Wake for network access” in System Settings › Energy.
On the go
Screen Sharing is meant for your local network. When you’re away, the safest way is a VPN into your home network (e.g. WireGuard on your router, Tailscale or similar). Then add the Mac in Fernblick by its IP address or host name. Please do not expose Screen Sharing (port 5900) directly to the internet.
FAQ
How much does Fernblick cost?
Fernblick is free to download. You can try every feature free for 7 days – you start the trial yourself in the app; it ends automatically and costs nothing. After that, Fernblick Pro unlocks everything permanently as a one-time purchase. No subscription.
What works without Pro?
Without Pro (and after the trial) you can connect to one saved Mac, with sessions of up to 10 minutes. You can reconnect right away afterwards.
Does Pro work on all my devices and for my family?
Yes. Pro works on every iPhone and iPad signed in with your Apple Account and supports Family Sharing.
I bought Pro, but the app doesn’t show it.
Open the purchase screen in Fernblick (at the top of the list or from the menu) and tap Restore Purchases. Make sure you’re signed in with the same Apple Account you used to buy.
Fernblick doesn’t find my Mac.
Check that Screen Sharing is on and both devices are on the same network. On first launch, iOS asks whether Fernblick may access the local network – this is required. You can allow it later in Settings › Apps › Fernblick › Local Network. Alternatively, add the Mac manually by its IP address.
Sign-in fails.
Use the user name and password of your macOS user account (not your Apple Account). The user must be allowed in Screen Sharing.
Special characters or emoji arrive garbled.
The Screen Sharing clipboard only supports Western European characters. For emoji and other characters, use “Send Text”: the text is typed directly on the Mac.
Can I change the Mac’s resolution?
macOS Screen Sharing doesn’t allow that from the client. Fernblick scales the picture instead: whole screen, fit to width or height, or 1:1.
Does Fernblick collect data?
No. Fernblick has no accounts, no ads and no tracking. Your Macs and passwords stay on your device. Details in the privacy policy.
Contact
Questions, problems or ideas? Just write to me:
If it’s about a problem, please include your device, iOS version and macOS version.