Argly - Remote Desktop - Connect to macOS desktop through iOS!

[timnuwin]

I built Argly - Remote Desktop - the other weekend because I had a need to remote control my macos from my iPhone. At night, I did not want to lug my laptop into bed with me so I built this app to connect to my macos through my iphone [and would send prompts through cursor then deploy to my iphone on the same network]!

Works entirely on your local WiFi from iPhone / iPad, has a simple / somewhat modern UI and I wanted to make sure it was responsive. If you need remote-internet access, this won't work, but for same-network use, it's faster and more private [as there's no middle-man].

Download iOS here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/argly/id6755750961
Download macOS - Server: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/argly-server/id6755750868

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Real-time screen mirroring with adaptive quality!
Precise mouse and trackpad control
Quick shortcuts
Pinch-to-zoom and pan gestures

Smart Keyboard
Custom keyboard overlay optimized for remote control
Color-coded special keys for quick access
Quick shortcuts for common commands

Favorite Shortcuts
Save your most-used keyboard shortcuts
Floating shortcuts panel for quick access
Easy add/remove with intuitive edit mode

Perfect For:
Working from your couch or bed
Accessing your Mac when away from your desk
Presenting from your iPhone


It's subscription-based right now [$0.99/mo w/ a 7 day free trial] but I'm definitely interested in hearing some feedback!

 

[gilby101]

Can you provide a feature comparison with other similar apps -e.g. Jump, TeamViewer, and various VNC implementations.

 

[chabig]

Is this different than VNC, which is already built-in to the Mac, and which many free viewers are available on iPhone?

 

[timnuwin]

Currently, some other features that are different:

• Handful of useful Shortcuts
• Precise mouse control [this was a painpoint I had w/ rvnc viewer]
• Intuitive Dragging window support
• Fun smooth (and bouncy) window panning/zooming

I have future plans to:

• Improved text field input
• Adding more complex shortcuts [multi-step tasks] //I wanted to eventually set the groundwork for this which would req a server to process those instructions.
• streaming sound
• Incorporating mobile gestures

But personally thusfar, this app has filled my personal need of being able to comfortably continue coding when I am away in another part of my house. What features would you like?

 

[Apple_Robert]

View attachment 2589895

Currently, some other features that are different:

• Handful of useful Shortcuts
• Precise mouse control [this was a painpoint I had w/ rvnc viewer]
• Intuitive Dragging window support
• Fun smooth (and bouncy) window panning/zooming

I have future plans to:

• Improve text field input
  • There's definite room for improvement here
• Adding more complex shortcuts [multi-step tasks] //I wanted to eventually set the groundwork for this which would req a server to process those instructions.
• streaming sound
• Incorporating mobile gestures

But personally thusfar, this app has filled my personal need of being able to comfortably continue coding when I am away in another part of my house. What features would you like?

In my opinion, noteworthy comparisons between Jump Desktop and Screens 5 might serve you better, especially on a Mac centric forum.

By the way, why didn’t you offer a one time fee instead of a monthly sub with an app that is WiFi only?

 

[timnuwin]

Thanks @Apple_Robert ! I'll download those apps, see how it compares and see how my app can draw inspiration / add my own twist.

Also, good question about pricing. I hope to make consistent updates to this software [as an indie dev which was the original thinking of the $.99/mo sub].
-What do you think would be a fair eventual one-time price for software like this?

Or even better, if you'd like the software for free, feel free to DM me and I'll invite you to the TestFlight build [same goes for anyone else]. What things about Jump Desktop or Screens 5 would you want improved?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Tapping on Disconnect from the server from the iPhone puts the phone app in Searching mode….Searching for available Macs on your network. Problem is you have to relaunch the phone app before the phone app can see the server again and that shouldn’t be the case.

I have all 3 settings options ticked and the server doesn't appear to launch at login in. I have had to manually start the server every time I reboot the Mac. I also tried putting Argly in the list of apps to login at launch and it still doesn't work. In fact, I have to close the Mac app and open it again before the server starts.

I would like to see a reboot the Mac shortcut option as well as a Shutdown the Mac option.

There are several things I like with your new app (it is very fast) although it is too late at the moment to go into more details.

Running the latest public release of Tahoe on M4 iMac and iPhone 17 Air with latest public release. I will install on my iPad tomorrow night and see how that works with and without the Magic Keyboard.

 

[timnuwin]

Really helpful feedback @Apple_Robert , I will try to address the sync issue later this week as well as the launcher logic. I will keep you posted! Thank you!

 

[Apple_Robert]

I am uninstalling the the beta app since it still wants me to subscribe for $0.99 / month and I haven’t heard back from you since 12/27. I see the App Store has been updated but, I was in limbo 12 days with no contact. Given the lack of help to help you beta test your app, I can’t see subscribing on a monthly basis as I no longer have confidence in your support and follow-through. My sentiment stands for a one-tie fee if that were to happen.

 

[timnuwin]

Hi @Apple_Robert , thanks for reaching out, and I completely understand the frustration. You’re right to expect timely communication, and I’m sorry for the gap since 12/27. That’s definitely on me and I'm recalibrating for the new year to try to set a better cadence esp w/ a tool people would be spending their money on.

I'll be uploading a new build tonight to TestFlight that will support entering an offer code to give you a free year [I'll DM that to you when it's live]. Apologies again.