MacOS Local Area Network Remote

Enables your phone to trigger keypresses/OS events on a Mac over HTTP using TCP/IP

Download Mac Remote (latest release)

Big shoutout to Tanner Roof @rooftb for helping out with the client-side UX

Overview

This application runs a Go server on your Mac that exposes an API for triggering keypresses and system events. It also serves a locally hosted Next.js static build, accessible from any device on the same local network.

Limitations

• Private networks only — both devices must be on the same private network (home or office WiFi). Public networks (hotels, airports, cafes) typically enforce client isolation, which blocks device-to-device communication even when connected to the same network.

Available OS Actions

• Play / Pause
• Previous / Next Track
• Sleep
• Arrow Key Left / Right
• Brightness Up / Down
• Volume Up / Down
• Spacebar

UI Features

• Background color picker modal (saves preference locally)
• Info page displaying icon-to-action mappings

System Requirements

• Apple Silicon (arm64, M1 or newer)
• macOS 11 Big Sur or later

Installation

1. Download the DMG file
2. Drag Mac Remote to your Applications folder
3. Launch app from Applications folder
4. Eject DMG file

macOS Gatekeeper Warnings

You may encounter one or both of the following errors when launching the app for the first time. This happens because the app isn't signed with an Apple Developer certificate ($99/year — no thanks).

1. “Mac Remote” is damaged and can’t be opened. You should eject the disk image.

Fix: Remove the quarantine attribute via

xattr -d com.apple.quarantine "/path/to/Mac Remote.app"

Accessibility

You will need to update two settings in macOS to grant permission:

1. System Events – corresponds to play/prev/next track

   System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation
   Locate Mac Remote and toggle System Events on.

2. Basic Accessibility – corresponds to keystrokes

   System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
   Locate Mac Remote and toggle it on.

Developer Overview

Components

client: Static Next.js build served through go server. Runs on a device connected to the same network and acts as the user interface for sending commands

server: Go server running on mac that handles triggering OS operations based on incoming http requests. Includes fileserver for Next.js static build

electrobun: Desktop application UI. Opens a window to display the QR code and server IP address

Setup

1. Ensure go 1.23 is installed on system
2. Ensure Bun is installed
3. Install qrencode for QR code generation of the IP address landing page via mobile device
   • brew install qrencode
4. Clone repository
   • git clone https://github.com/akleventis/lan_mac_remote.git
5. Install npm dependencies
   • cd client && npm install

Scripts

file	description
start_client.sh	Launches the client app locally, making it accessible on the local network
start_server.sh	Starts the Go server in development mode
start_app_dev.sh	Runs both the client and server for local development
start_app_prod.sh	Builds the Next.js static export and Go binary, then runs the binary
build_client.sh	Builds the Next.js static export
build_server.sh	Compiles Go binary
build_app.sh	Compiles the Next.js static export and Go binary without running them
build_dmg.sh	Builds the full app bundle and packages it as a DMG

Note: You may need to update permissions to make executable: chmod +x scripts/*

Electrobun

Electrobun is the desktop application that launches the go_binary executable and opens the user interface

• cd electrobun && bun start

Support

• For support, please open an issue