Download Sidekey for Mac
Prop your iPad or iPhone beside the keyboard. Whenever you switch apps on the Mac, Sidekey shows keys for that app, and tapping a key runs the shortcut on the Mac.
You need an iPad (iPadOS 16 or later) or iPhone (iOS 16 or later), a Mac with macOS 13 or later, and the same Wi-Fi network (an iPad can also use a USB cable).
The Mac app is signed with Developer ID and notarized by Apple. Open the DMG, drag Sidekey to Applications and open it from there; it lives in the menu bar. Switch it on when macOS asks for Accessibility, then choose Pair Device in its menu and type the code on your iPad or iPhone.
If you installed Mac version 1.0.0, replace it: it had a security problem and was withdrawn.
Get the iPad and iPhone app from the App Store. You can also build it from the source code.
How it works
- Sidekey on the Mac lives in the menu bar and watches which app is in front.
- Sidekey on the iPad or iPhone finds the Mac on the same Wi-Fi network; an iPad plugged into the Mac with a USB cable uses that instead.
- Pair once. Choose Pair Device in the Mac's Sidekey menu and type the code it shows into the iPad or iPhone. Until a device is paired, the Mac sends it only its name and a pairing request and runs none of its taps. After that, the device connects to your Mac by itself.
- The keys change with the app. The top of the screen shows the Mac app's icon, name and window title, so you always know where a tap will land.
- Every tap gets an answer. A key glows amber while the Mac works, lights up when the shortcut was sent, and shakes with the Mac's reason when it could not be.
- The Mac runs only its own actions. The Mac runs a key's action from its own layout, never an action sent over the network. Layouts you make can only send shortcuts, run your Apple Shortcuts or switch Citrix modes; they cannot run shell commands or AppleScript themselves.
- Use a trusted connection. Traffic is not encrypted yet, so use Sidekey over USB (iPad) or on a network you trust. See Privacy for what that means.
- Disruptive keys need a hold. Lock Mac, Interrupt, End Call, Telegram Lock, Xcode Clean, and Citrix Viewer's Lock, Close App and Teams Leave fire only after a press and hold.
Xcode
When Xcode is in front, Sidekey shows these keys and the shortcut each one sends.
Terminal
When Terminal is in front, Sidekey shows these keys and the shortcut each one sends.
VS Code
When VS Code is in front, Sidekey shows these keys and the shortcut each one sends.
Safari
When Safari is in front, Sidekey shows these keys and the shortcut each one sends.
Zoom
When Zoom is in front, Sidekey shows these keys and the shortcut each one sends.
The deck also shows meeting state such as your mic. This is built from Zoom's documented menus and not yet tested in a live meeting.
When WhatsApp is in front, Sidekey shows these keys and the shortcut each one sends.
Telegram
When Telegram is in front, Sidekey shows these keys and the shortcut each one sends.
Microsoft Word
When Word is in front, Sidekey shows these keys and the shortcut each one sends.
MacDown
When MacDown is in front, Sidekey shows these keys and the shortcut each one sends.
Every other app
When any other app is in front, Sidekey shows these keys and the shortcut each one sends.
Apps without their own layout get these system keys. Do Not Disturb runs a shortcut named Toggle Focus, which you create in the Shortcuts app on your Mac.
More apps have their own layouts too: Chrome, Arc, Finder, Mail, Messages, Notes, Calendar, Music, Photos, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Slack, Spotify, Notion, ChatGPT, Citrix Viewer, Cursor, Antigravity and OpenCode. See every layout. With Sidekey for Mac 1.4.0 or later, Edit Layouts in the menu lets you change, move, remove and reset keys and add a layout for any other app.