Use your computer from your phone
PocketDesk is a free VNC client for iPhone, iPad and Android phones, tablets and foldables. Connect to Screen Sharing on a Mac, or to a VNC server on Windows, Linux or Raspberry Pi. No account needed, and the connection goes straight from your device to your computer.
Coming soon to the App Store and Google Play
Comfortable on a small screen
Right-clicks, modifier keys and a small screen are what make remote desktops hard on a phone. PocketDesk is tuned for each of them.
Finds the computers at home
Computers on the same Wi‑Fi with Screen Sharing or VNC turned on appear under “On this network”. Tap “Add” to save one, without looking up its IP address.
Sign in to a Mac with your account
For Screen Sharing on a Mac, sign in with the Mac’s user name and password (Apple Remote Desktop authentication). No separate VNC password needed.
Touch and trackpad modes
In Touch mode, you tap where you want to click. In Trackpad mode, your finger moves the cursor: precise when you go slowly, across the whole screen when you swipe fast. Two-finger tap = right click; the other gestures are in the gesture guide.
The keys your phone is missing
Esc, Tab, Ctrl, Alt, ⌘/Win, arrow keys and F1–F12 sit above the keyboard. Tap a modifier to hold it and tap again to release; combinations such as Ctrl + Alt + Del are one tap away in “Shortcuts”. A Bluetooth keyboard works too, keys and all.
Type first, then send
With “Send text”, write a line of text on your phone with any keyboard or input method, then send it in one go. Whether non-Latin characters show up depends on the VNC server.
Phones, tablets and foldables
Works in portrait and landscape. On a tablet or an unfolded foldable, the connection list and details sit side by side. Rotating, folding or entering split view keeps the connection alive.
Passwords stay on your device
No sign-up. Passwords live in the iPhone and iPad Keychain or the Android Keystore and are never uploaded, and connections go straight from your device to your computer, never through our servers.
Follows your system settings
The interface follows Dark and Light Mode and comes in English and Traditional Chinese. With Reduce Motion on, transitions and animations are simplified too.
Gesture guide
Only one-finger gestures differ between the two modes. Right-click, scrolling and zoom work the same way in both.
| Gesture | Touch mode | Trackpad mode |
|---|---|---|
| One-finger tap | Left click where you tap | Left click at the cursor |
| One-finger drag | Pan the screen | Move the cursor |
| Press and hold, then drag | Left-button drag (select, drag and drop) | |
| Two-finger tap | Right click | |
| Two-finger drag | Scroll | |
| Pinch | Zoom | |
| Three-finger tap | Middle click | |
What you can connect to
PocketDesk speaks the standard VNC (RFB) protocol and works with these common servers.
| Computer | Server | Sign-in | Setup guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mac | Screen Sharing, built into macOS | macOS account or VNC password | Setup guide (Mac) |
| Windows | TightVNC, UltraVNC | VNC password | Setup guide (Windows) |
| Linux | TigerVNC, x11vnc, wayvnc | VNC password; wayvnc needs one setting | Setup guide (Linux) |
| Raspberry Pi | The VNC server built into Raspberry Pi OS | User name and password, or a VNC password, after one setting | Setup guide (Raspberry Pi) |
Get started in three steps
-
Turn on VNC on your computer
On a Mac, turn on Screen Sharing. On Windows, Linux and Raspberry Pi, install or turn on a VNC server. See the setup guides
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Add connection
Enter the computer’s IP address or hostname, or tap “Add” next to it under “On this network”.
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Tap to connect
Before the first connection, the app tells you “This connection isn’t encrypted”. Sign in, work with gestures and the keyboard, and tap “Disconnect” when you are done.
Frequently asked questions
Does PocketDesk cost anything?
No. PocketDesk is free to download and use. The current version has no ads and no in-app purchases.
Do I need an account?
No. PocketDesk has no accounts. Open the app and add a connection.
Do connections go through your servers?
No. PocketDesk connects straight from your phone or tablet to your computer. We run no relay servers, cannot see your screen and never receive your input.
Where is my password stored?
On iPhone and iPad: Your password stays in this device’s Keychain and is never uploaded. On Android: Your password is encrypted on this device and never uploaded. You can also choose not to save it and enter it each time.
Are connections encrypted?
Apart from signing in, VNC connections are not encrypted, so people on the same network could see your screen and keystrokes. The app marks every connection “Not encrypted” and reminds you before the first connection. Use it only on networks you trust.
Can I reach my home computer when I am away?
Yes. Connect to your home network with a VPN first, then use the computer’s local address. Do not expose the VNC port directly to the internet.
Which devices are supported?
iPhone and iPad with iOS 17 or later, and Android 8.0 or later phones, tablets and foldables.
Does it support RDP or other remote desktop services?
No. PocketDesk uses only the standard VNC (RFB) protocol. On Windows, install a VNC server such as TightVNC or UltraVNC.
When can I download it?
PocketDesk is coming soon to the App Store and Google Play. This site will link to both stores once the apps are live.