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Glasspad vs Universal Control
Universal Control does not work with iPhone. Here is what does.
In short
Universal Control does not work with iPhone. It lets one Mac's keyboard and trackpad control up to two other Macs or iPads nearby (macOS 12.4 and iPadOS 15.4 or later, signed in to the same Apple Account). iPhone Mirroring goes the other way: your Mac controls your iPhone. To control a Mac from an iPhone you need an app. Glasspad is a free, open source one that makes the iPhone a trackpad, keyboard, remote and button deck for the Mac over Wi-Fi.
Side by side
| Glasspad | Universal Control | |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | iPhone controls the Mac | A Mac's keyboard and trackpad control other Macs and iPads |
| iPhone | Yes. iPhone (iOS 18 or later) or Android (10 or later), with a Mac (macOS 14 or later) or a Windows PC (10 or 11) | No. No iPhone. A Mac (macOS 12.4 or later) with up to two Macs or iPads (iPadOS 15.4 or later) |
| Setup | Partly. Install with the one-line installer, pair once by QR code | Yes. Built in. Same Apple Account with two-factor authentication |
| Connection | Same Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Handoff on, within 10 meters |
| What you get | Trackpad, keyboard, media, remote, buttons, displays and windows | One pointer and keyboard across screens, drag and drop between them |
| Price | Yes. Free, open source (MIT) | Yes. Free, part of macOS and iPadOS |
Has itPartly, or with limitsDoes not
Which one fits you
Choose Universal Control if
- You have an iPad or a second Mac on your desk.
- You want one keyboard and trackpad across them, with drag and drop.
Choose Glasspad if
- You want your iPhone to control your Mac.
- You want a remote for the couch, a deck of buttons, or a spare trackpad.
They work side by side: Glasspad does not replace Universal Control.
Questions
Does Universal Control work with iPhone?
No. Apple lists Macs and iPads only. For the iPhone, Apple points to iPhone Mirroring, which lets your Mac control your iPhone.
What is iPhone Mirroring?
A macOS 15 feature that shows your iPhone's screen on your Mac so you can use its apps there. It needs iOS 18, a Mac with Apple silicon or the T2 chip, and the same Apple Account.
How do I control my Mac from my iPhone?
With an app on both devices. Glasspad is free and open source: install it on the Mac, pair the iPhone by QR code, and use it as a trackpad, keyboard or remote over Wi-Fi.
Does Glasspad need an Apple Account?
Only a free Apple ID to install the app on your iPhone. Glasspad itself has no account, and the iPhone and Mac talk only over your Wi-Fi.
Keep exploring
Sources
Checked on 16 October 2026.
Get Glasspad. It is free.
Glasspad is free and open source (MIT). It works with a Mac on macOS 14 or later or a PC on Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit, and an iPhone on iOS 18 or later or an Android phone on Android 10 or later, on the same Wi-Fi. On a Mac, paste this into Terminal:
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Soham109/glasspad/main/install.sh | bashThe script builds it with Xcode 26 or later and your free Apple ID, and waits for you where Apple needs a click. Windows and Android install from GitHub Releases. Every install step Help in the guide