Setup and permissions

Set up the Mac once, then reach it from your iPhone or iPad wherever you are. It takes a few minutes.

1. Install ScreenNomad on your Mac

   Download the Mac app, open the disk image and drag ScreenNomad to Applications. Open it from there. It needs macOS 26 or later and is free.

   The first time, macOS asks whether to open an app downloaded from the internet: choose Open. If you open it straight from the disk image, ScreenNomad first moves itself to Applications and reopens from there.

2. Allow Screen Recording

   This lets ScreenNomad show your Mac's screen on your iPhone or iPad.

   System Settings › Privacy & Security › Screen & System Audio Recording › ScreenNomad

   Choose Allow in ScreenNomad, turn it on in System Settings, then choose Reopen ScreenNomad. macOS applies this permission only after the app reopens.

3. Allow Accessibility

   This lets your taps, typing and pointer control the Mac.

   System Settings › Privacy & Security › Accessibility › ScreenNomad

   ScreenNomad notices this one as soon as you come back, no reopening needed.

4. Sign in on the Mac

   Continue with Apple, Google or email. Use the account you will use on your iPhone or iPad.

5. Sign in on your iPhone or iPad

   ScreenNomad for iPhone and iPad is coming to the App Store. Email us to try it sooner, then sign in with the same account, and your Mac appears in the list. Tap Connect, then approve the first connection on the Mac.

Keep it reachable

• Leave ScreenNomad running on the Mac. It lives in the menu bar, so closing its window doesn't stop it.
• A sleeping Mac can't answer. To reach it while you're away, set it to stay awake or keep it on power.
• The Mac's card on your iPhone shows an exclamation mark if its network can stop a direct connection. Tap it to see why.

If a permission doesn't stick

• Turned on Screen Recording but ScreenNomad still asks? Quit ScreenNomad from the menu bar and open it again.
• Still asking? In System Settings, select ScreenNomad in the list, remove it with −, then choose Allow in ScreenNomad again.
• Still stuck? Email support with your macOS version and the message shown in the app.