# AetherDesk — Remote Desktop for Mac · VNC

> Remote desktop access for Mac, Windows, and Linux via VNC. (iPhone/iPad app by canhong li.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aetherdesk/id6817376274 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [canhong li](https://appshunter.io/developer/6817302093)
- Category: Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 8 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Japanese, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish, Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan)
- Released: 2026-10-13
- Data updated: 2026-10-31
- Monetization: free

## What is AetherDesk?

Leave your desk — not your Mac.
AetherDesk turns your iPhone and iPad into a fast, private remote screen for your Mac, using the Screen Sharing already built into macOS.
Not just Macs: it also connects to standard VNC servers on Windows, Linux or Raspberry Pi (port 5900 or any custom port).
Nothing to install on the Mac, no account to create, no cloud relay in between.

WHY YOU'LL LIKE IT
• Feels like a trackpad – precise pointer, tap to click, hold to drag, two-finger tap to right-click, three-finger scroll, pinch to zoom.
• The view follows your cursor – small screens stay usable; zoom in for detail, fit to screen in one tap.
• Real Mac shortcuts – a Dock with ⌘ ⌥ ⌃ ⇧, Esc, Tab and arrow keys, plus right-click mode.
• Remote typing – paste text and send it to the Mac, while watching it appear on the remote screen.
• Made for iPad – sidebar split layout with your hosts and the live session side by side.
• View Only – watch a Mac without any accidental clicks; switch back to control anytime.
• Quality options – tune the picture for fast Wi-Fi or slower links.
• Any VNC host – macOS user login for Mac Screen Sharing, or a VNC password for standard VNC servers; set host:port per connection.
• Guided start – a short first-launch guide shows how to set up your Mac and every gesture.

PRIVATE BY DESIGN
Connects directly from your device to your Mac. Passwords stay in your device's Keychain. No account, no tracking, no AetherDesk server.

REQUIREMENTS
A Mac you are allowed to use with Screen Sharing turned on (System Settings › General › Sharing), signed in with a macOS user account — or any VNC server you are allowed to use that accepts a VNC password (servers that require only TLS/VeNCrypt or RealVNC's own encryption are not supported) — and a network path to it — the same Wi-Fi or your own VPN. Remote typing sends plain ASCII text; it is not two-way clipboard sync. Never expose Screen Sharing or any VNC server to the public internet.

## Key features

- Trackpad-like gestures
- Real Mac shortcuts
- Remote typing
- View Only mode
- Quality options
- Connects to any VNC host

## Is AetherDesk safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess AetherDesk.

## Is AetherDesk legit?

AetherDesk appears legitimate, with a few gaps. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for AetherDesk is 65 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.


## Frequently asked questions about AetherDesk

### What is AetherDesk?

AetherDesk is a free utility app that allows you to use your iPhone or iPad as a remote screen for your Mac, Windows, or Linux computer. It utilizes VNC protocol for connection.

### How does AetherDesk connect to my computer?

AetherDesk connects directly from your device to your computer over your local network or VPN. It does not use cloud relays or require an account, ensuring privacy.

### What devices does AetherDesk support?

AetherDesk is available for iPhone and iPad. It can connect to Macs with Screen Sharing enabled, or any VNC server on Windows, Linux, or Raspberry Pi.

### Does AetherDesk have ads?

No, AetherDesk is ad-free. The app is free to download and use, with no advertisements to interrupt your remote access experience.

### How is AetherDesk's privacy design?

AetherDesk is designed for privacy. It connects directly, keeps passwords in your device's Keychain, and does not track users or use AetherDesk servers.

### What are the gesture controls in AetherDesk?

AetherDesk offers intuitive gestures like tap to click, hold to drag, two-finger tap for right-click, three-finger scroll, and pinch to zoom, mimicking a trackpad experience.

### Can I use AetherDesk to watch my computer without making changes?

Yes, AetherDesk offers a 'View Only' mode. This allows you to observe your computer's screen without any accidental clicks or changes, and you can switch back to control mode anytime.

### How often is AetherDesk updated?

AetherDesk was last updated on October 23, 2026, with version 1.1.0. The release date was October 13, 2026, indicating recent development activity.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.1.0 — 2026-10-23

Connect to VNC hosts through an SSH tunnel, including hosts on private Docker networks. A new setup guide explains the SSH and remote VNC fields. Includes connection and interface refinements.

### 1.0.1 — 2026-10-15

• New first-launch guide: learn Mac setup, gestures and the Dock in four quick pages — reopen it anytime from Settings.
• Fresh full-bleed app icon.
• Wording and stability polish throughout.

### 1.0 — 2026-10-13

No release notes.

## More apps by canhong li

- [ChapterSeek: Book Reader](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chapterseek-book-reader/id6817361592)
- [AIDWatermark](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aidwatermark/id6828356348)

All apps by canhong li: https://appshunter.io/developer/6817302093

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*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 2026-10-31.*
