FAQ

Do I need an app on both ends?

Yes: the Mac app on the Mac, and the controller app on iPhone / iPad. The iOS app installs from the App Store; the Mac app is a free, Apple-notarized download from this site.

Does it support both iPhone and iPad?

Both, natively. The remote view keeps a full canvas and supports any orientation and indirect pointer input.

How much does it cost? How do I try it?

Nearshell has a 14-day free trial with no credit card. One Mac is free, and you can connect unlimited devices once you subscribe. The subscription is purchased on iPhone / iPad. You’ll see exact pricing in the app at launch — join the waitlist to be notified.

Does every connection go through your servers?

No. The connection tries direct (P2P) first, and only falls back to relaying through our nearest TURN node when the two networks can’t reach each other directly. Either way, the content is end-to-end encrypted.

Can you see my screen?

No. Video and input travel over an end-to-end encrypted channel; the signaling server only forwards signed setup messages and can neither read nor decrypt your content. Even a compromised server can’t decrypt or impersonate an endpoint. We also don’t collect your screen content.

Why isn’t the Mac app on the Mac App Store?

Nearshell’s Mac app needs deeper system access than the Mac App Store allows (screen capture and input injection), so we distribute it directly. It’s Apple-notarized — as safe and trusted as the many professional Mac tools that ship this way — and installs with a double-click.

What if I forget to grant Accessibility permission?

The screen still captures and displays, but mouse / keyboard input won’t take effect — the Mac injects input only after Accessibility is granted. Grant it under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility, then restart the app.

What are the limits of focused-window mode?

Focused mode captures only the host app’s main window. Menu-bar dropdowns, the app menu, and standalone popovers are not composited into the video and can’t be clicked directly. Switch back to full-screen temporarily to operate them; keyboard shortcuts (including ⌘Tab) are unaffected.

How does the keyboard work?

By default it composes in your local IME and sends the final text to the Mac; you can also switch to raw key-passthrough in the keyboard toolbar. Shortcuts and function keys always use reliable key events.

How do I pair without a camera / on Simulator?

Use the text invite: copy the text code shown on the Mac and paste it into the controller’s pairing screen to complete pinning.

Can I download it now?

Nearshell isn’t open to the public yet. Join the waitlist on the home page, and we’ll tell you the moment sign-ups open.