# ActionPad: Mac/PC Pro Controls — Build panels for apps & games > Build custom computer control panels for apps and games. (iPhone/iPad app by Andrew Arpasi.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/actionpad-macpc-pro-controls/id1142860715 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Andrew Arpasi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1646326351) - Category: Utilities, Productivity - Price: $3.99 - Rating: 3.90/5 from 28 App Store ratings · 41 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15.0 · 29 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2016-09-07 - Data updated: 2026-07-05 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/actionpad-macpc-pro-controls/id1142860715/reviews.md ## What is ActionPad? ActionPad allows you to create your own custom control panels to remote control applications on your computer. This app requires the ActionPad Server desktop software to be installed on your computer for full functionality. For more information on this, visit https://actionpad.co/go. Compatible with macOS and Windows. Panels can contain buttons and other objects, which can be used to simulate keyboard and mouse input, as well as open files and URLs. With grid and dynamic panel types, buttons can be arranged into a grid with customizable rows and columns, or positioned and sized anywhere you would like on your panel for infinite customization possibilities. Customize the appearance of buttons and other panel objects to give them a distinct look. Get ready to make your keyboard and mouse jealous. With ActionPad, you may implement buttons on your panel that: -Execute keystrokes, such as Command C or Ctrl V. -Move your mouse pointer or hold keys as you hold down the button. -Launch applications and open files on your computer. -Open websites in your default browser and interact with them. -Control media and volume on your computer. -Do all of these things with one press! You can have buttons send continuous keyboard and mouse input as you hold them down, or you can combine multiple actions to create simple or complex macros that will run with just one tap of the button! All of this, along with visual elements such as images, text, and containers can all be combined to create unique control panels, each of which with it's own purpose. Don't feel like creating your own panel, or want to use some pre-created panels for some of your favorite desktop apps? ActionPad features the Community Panels Hub, which allows users to upload and share panels they create. It's very easy to share panels and build upon everyone's creations. Along with sharing through the Community Panels Hub, you can also export your panel and send it via E-mail, AirDrop, or a variety of other mediums. No account needed to download user-made panels, only required if you wish to upload to share with other users. Whether it be a panel used to quickly access the most commonly used tools in Photoshop, extra shortcuts for DAW power users, controls for your cockpit in a space simulation game, or a remote control for your streaming setup, there is no limit to what you can create and control with ActionPad. ## Key features - Customizable control panels - Simulate keyboard and mouse input - Launch applications and files - Open websites - Media and volume control - Create macros - Community Panels Hub ## Recent user reviews (10 of 41) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/actionpad-macpc-pro-controls/id1142860715/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Must Have for Win/Mac Power Users ❤️ *2025-02-04, version 3.0.3* The app works as intended is incredibly easy to set up and is reliable. The set up is very straightforward so it’s easy for new customers and it has enough powerful tools set up within that it is still functional and attractive for power users as a video editor, I have it launching applications and going straight to folders via window shortcuts, but the ability to choose a file to run means if you have any capability in scripting this app can essentially do anything on your device. 6/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ### 5/5 — Essential to my workflow *2025-01-01, version 3.0.3* I use Action Pad with my recording DAWs, and I can’t imagine working without it. I have massive screens with dozens of buttons to work on my iPad Pro, or simplified versions to run on my iPhone. Excellent app! ### 4/5 — Great app but , there are a big problem *2024-11-05, version 3.0.3* I really liked this app and felt like it was perfect but i run across some serious problems, I am using it to play my favorite game on my pc as a keyboard but 1 - I realized that all of the keyboard letters are not working except some numbers and other symbols. For me it’s was not a good sign but I managed to change the control input on the game to numbers and symbols so I can press them but 2 - I found that the buttons had a pressing limitations , for example (input button) you can press them and the input is immediately sent to the game but you can’t press the button fast and repeatedly ,( it’s not designed for a very fast based games ) and (Action buttons) you can surprisingly press them fast but the input will only go after you release the button which is also not a good option for me. So I couldn’t really enjoy my experience. My recommendation for solving the problem are: First of all, Fix the letters input, and for the second problem , they can put a toggle button on the action button sitting menu ( Tap to Act ) not after releasing the button or fix the repetitive duration limit for input button after each tap to make it fast . I really hope the developers fixes this issue ASAP. ### 5/5 — This app is awesome! *2024-09-18, version 3.0.3* I’m not sure why this app has 1 review. I tired all the other similar apps and this was by far the best. This does exactly what you need to it to do and more. It seems very well maintained and smooth to use. It’s got the best editor too of all the apps I tried. ### 3/5 — If This Would send MIDI Messages Too, A Huge Market Would Be Captured *2023-12-17, version 3.0.1* Very promising! I’ve lowered my score a bit, because the version loses connection when ActionPad is arranged in the background. Have to reconnect every time I move it back to the foreground. Makes it very tedious to use, as I need to move apps ‘fore and back’ quite a bit. Also, if you create a layout with many pads, and then decide to increase or decrease the columns in the layout, the pads are not properly redistributed, and many pads can be instantly lost. There is also no duplicate, copy/paste function for pad settings, or ability to edit multiple pads. Strange oversight that I hop is added. If these issues are addressed, I will certainly revise my review ) Also, If This Would send MIDI Messages Too, A Huge Market Would Be Captured. It would be massive for use with DAW’s Pretty Please! ### 4/5 — If This Would send MIDI Messages Too, A Huge Market Would Be Captured *2023-12-13* Very promising! If This Would send MIDI Messages Too, A Huge Market Would Be Captured. It would be massive for use with DAW’s Pretty Please! ### 4/5 — Very handy app *2023-12-08, version 3.0.0* I use this in everything gaming, Sony camera control, photo editing, car road tuning…etc. Just a fantastic app! I would like some more advanced functionality though! Such as more button feedback options and perhaps ways to animate. Even simple things like a countdown timer would be awesome. ### 4/5 — Very Promising *2023-11-30* Embryonic, but already very useful. The last update was a good boost. Very reasonably priced. Keep it going! ### 1/5 — Does not work *2023-09-06, version 2.1.0* Doesn't work. Wasted $. And wasted my time. ### 1/5 — Scam *2022-05-25, version 2.1.0* I got charged after unsubscribing. ## Frequently asked questions about ActionPad ### What does ActionPad do? ActionPad allows you to create custom control panels that can remotely operate applications on your Mac or PC. These panels can simulate keyboard and mouse inputs, launch applications, open files and websites, and control media playback. ### What are the key features of ActionPad? Key features include building customizable panels with buttons and objects, simulating keyboard and mouse actions, launching applications and files, opening URLs, controlling media, creating complex macros with a single tap, and sharing panels through a community hub. ### Is ActionPad free to use? Yes, ActionPad is free to use. The application itself does not have any associated costs, and there are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned. ### What operating systems is ActionPad compatible with? ActionPad is compatible with both macOS and Windows operating systems. It requires the ActionPad Server desktop software to be installed on your computer for full functionality. ### How can I use ActionPad for gaming or productivity? For gaming, you can create panels with shortcuts for in-game actions or complex command sequences. For productivity, you can build panels to quickly access frequently used tools in software like Photoshop, manage streaming setups, or automate repetitive tasks. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 3.1.0 — 2025-09-08 Version 3.1.0 brings some new improvements to the Dynamic Panel design editor. - Neighbor Snapping for Dynamic Panels: Can be enabled in Dynamic Panels to easily align elements by snapping them to nearby items, with guide lines for precise layouts. - Arrange Elements with Ease: New Bring to Front and Send to Back options for elements in Dynamic Panels. - Dynamic Panel Element Gradients: Apply gradients to buttons and containers in dynamic panels - 60+ Gradient Presets: Choose from a wide selection of ready-made gradients in the new preset picker. ### 3.0.3 — 2024-04-15 Fixed bug where the left-swipe menu buttons are not appearing for deleting computers as well as for copying button actions. ### 3.0.2 — 2024-01-08 - Added ability to copy and paste styles between buttons. - App will now reconnect to server automatically when foregrounded. ### 3.0.1 — 2023-12-12 - Fixed crash when manually entering a width/height for a button containing an image or an icon. - Added option to export panel directly from the "My Panels" screen by swiping left on the panel. ### 3.0.0 — 2023-11-29 ActionPad 3.0 is here, with a new grid panel type, panel editor improvements, an improved server setup process, and more! New Grid Panel Type: - Create a grid of buttons with a customizable number of rows and columns. - Grid spacing, padding, corner radius, background, all customizable. - Grid panels can be scrollable for a very large number of buttons. Improved panel editor UI - Undo/Redo support - Redesigned UI for customizing objects, editing actions, panel properties. - Copy and paste an entire sequence of actions. - Copy and paste buttons between panels. Assign app to panel: - Specify an app, program, or file to launch or bring to foreground when the panel is opened or a button is pressed. New (optional) server update: - Improved the server setup and connection experience. - Redesigned the connect computers UI. Improved app stability and more: - New JSON-based panel format, so you can tweak your panels with an external text editor. - Added access to 4000+ system icons. - Input buttons can control both mouse and keyboard at the same time. - HTTP Request Action: perform a request to a remote API or web service. - More general stability improvements and bug fixes. ## Apps similar to ActionPad | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Remote Mouse Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-mouse-pro/id380450781) | 4.7 (4,693) | $14.99 | Utilities | | [Remote, Mouse & Keyboard Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-mouse-and-keyboard-pro/id884153085) | 4.7 (5,390) | $39.99 | Utilities | | [Remote Trackpad: Virtual Tool](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-trackpad-virtual-tool/id1572422325) | 3.7 (38) | Free | Utilities | | [Remote Mouse](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-mouse/id385894596) | 4.6 (18,384) | Free | Utilities | | [Remote: Mouse & Keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-mouse-and-keyboard/id629019487) | 4.5 (13,914) | Free | Utilities | | [Mobile Mouse](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mobile-mouse/id289616509) | 4.5 (2,505) | $9.99 | Utilities | ## Related topics [control panel pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/control-panel-pro) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-05.*