Inset: PiP for Every App

Inset: PiP for Every App

Always Visible, Across Devices

4 ratings
7 reviews
$3.99

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • April 9, 2026
  • September 17, 2026

Features

Inset: PiP for Every App screenshot #1 for iPhone
Inset: PiP for Every App screenshot #2 for iPhone
Inset: PiP for Every App screenshot #3 for iPhone
Inset: PiP for Every App screenshot #4 for iPhone
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About

View specific areas or windows of your Mac screen in real-time on your iPhone or iPad. Monitor downloads, chats, or dashboards remotely over your local Wi-Fi network without needing accounts or cloud services.

✓Live screen preview from Mac
✓Select specific screen regions or windows
✓Stream to iPhone and iPad
✓Automatic device discovery
✓Fast, direct local network connection
✓No accounts or cloud servers
✓No data collection
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What's New in Inset

1.2

September 17, 2026

I'm excited to bring you many new features and fixes in Inset 1.2! If you haven't used Inset in a while, give this version a whirl. New on Inset for iPhone and iPad: SETTINGS • Personalize Inset from in-app settings with Light Mode, Dark Mode, or Auto Mode, mirrored previews (use Inset as a teleprompter), and an option to keep your device awake while Inset is open. • Choose automatic Picture in Picture (your previews opens in PiP when you leave the app), automatically reconnect to your last paired Mac (on by default), and manage paired Macs for added security. APPLE SHORTCUTS & APP INTENTS • Use Apple Shortcuts to open saved presets (see below) on your paired Mac, open the active preview in Picture in Picture without going to the app first, disconnect from the paired Mac, and more! • Once you have Apple Shortcuts set up, you can launch them by just asking Siri AI or add them to your Lock Screen or Action button. New on Inset for Mac: PRESETS • Save one or more previews as a preset, including their sources, selected areas, and placement on your screen(s). So you can reopen common Inset preview setups in a couple of clicks. • Edit presets, choose how window names are matched, and repair saved sources when a window in your preset changes. APPLE SHORTCUTS & APP INTENTS • Use Apple Shortcuts to create, pause, resume, hide, or stop previews and open or stop presets. Then, ask Siri AI to run those Shortcuts for you. ◦ This is a powerful feature if used well! You can open pre-arranged floating preview windows on your screen of any of your apps or screens by just prompting Siri! ◦ On the couch, but want to see what's on your Mac in the other room? Just ask Siri AI to launch an Inset preset on your paired Mac and instantly view those app windows and/or Mac displays on your iPhone or iPad. • Many Inset options can be turned on and off via Apple Shortcuts, including Always on Top, Click-through, Opacity Control, and Hide Cursor. More automation to come in future updates! Improvements and fixes: • Nearby Macs are discovered automatically and discovery recovers after interruptions. • The pairing code field is ready to type into when the pairing screen opens. • Improved iPad pairing keyboard behavior and stability (this should fix crashes some users reported when attempting to pair on iPad, thank you for your patience!) • Added an iPhone keyboard close button when entering Mac host info for manual connections. • Fixed duplicate preview content after leaving fullscreen and improved Picture in Picture stability. • Improved connected-Mac indicators and preset selection when switching Macs. • Improved preview placeholder contrast in Light Mode. • See What's New list for Mac app for the Mac-specific list. Stage Manager supports Screen and Screen Area previews; Window and Window Area previews remain unavailable with Stage Manager because of macOS window-capture limitations.

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User reviews

How does it work?

Tried using various modes. I could duplicate the window inside Inset but when I minimized the original window, Inset stopped displaying the active window. Meaning, I have to have Inset and the original window open on the screen, kind of defeating the purpose. I’m sure it’s a fine app but it lacks a help or tutorial file so it remains a mystery to this user. Also, it doesn’t appear to play well with Haze Over, which I had to disable.
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Response from developer

Very fair critique, thank you for taking the time to leave a review and feel free to contact me directly via the app feedback form if you have more (by clicking “App Support” on the App Store page.) Unfortunately the issue you’re having with minimizing is a macOS limitation because macOS does not continue rendering an app window that is minimized and so there is nothing for Inset to show. However, if you leave the window open, but place other windows above it (or place it in a different Space), your Inset previews will continue to update even if you can’t see that app window on your screen. I am working on creating an instructive onboarding, FAQ, and tutorial-like videos showing the different functionalities of Inset, so I’m glad to hear it’s something that folks do want. I’ll also look into the issue with HazeOver, thank you for that information. I hope the info above about the window minimizing helps and please feel free to reach out to me at inset@fastmail.com, I’d love to see how I can improve your experience!

Like magic

Tested it today, can’t wait to set it up on my work computer

Super useful and very well executed

I’ll often leave a job running on my Mac then go off to drink a cup off coffee while sitting on the sofa or out in the garden wondering how long of that job is left. I’ll get up, walk over, check, then go back and repeat. Now I can look at my phone and find out without having to disturb my coffee drinking. A surprisingly useful time saver, kudos!
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Fantastic app, couple comments

The app is great. I did find a bug where if you move the source window relative to the screen and then try to redo the crop, the crop area is not on top of the window. Also, you should have the other kind of click through, that is, that you can “click” into the window you are portaling into as an alternative to being able to interact with what’s behind the portal. This way you could for example have a portal to preview a long running process, and if it fails you can click try again right through the portal window without actually going to the app. If that is not possible at least make that window go to the top of the view hierarchy when that portal is clicked on, so that I can quickly do something and get back to what I was doing. I would even say all three different ways to click through should be available customizable per portal, and using shift + click or option + click or cmd+ click should let you do the other non default types
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Response from developer

Thank you for the review and feedback! I believe the latest version of the app should solve the issue you were having. Also, you can now bring the source window into focus through an option in the right click menu of a preview window. Your other suggestion about being able to interact with the source window via the preview window is a bit outside the scope of this app but definitely something I would be interested in implementing if possible.

Brilliant idea, works flawlessly

Dialed into a zoom, was the first one there. Instead of sitting like a doofus alone in a Zoom room, I grabbed the Zoom window with inset on my Mac, and kept an eye on it from my phone while I puttered around the house getting other things done. Amazing idea.

Developer apps

FAQ

What is Inset?

Inset is a utility that allows you to view live previews of specific screen areas or windows from your Mac on your iPhone or iPad. It streams this content in real-time over your local Wi-Fi network.

How much does Inset cost?

Inset is a paid application, priced at $3.99. This purchase includes all platform apps required for its functionality.

Does Inset have ads?

No, Inset does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application designed for a seamless user experience without interruptions.

What devices does Inset support?

Inset is compatible with Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Both your Mac and your mobile device must be connected to the same local network for it to function.

Is my data collected by Inset?

No, Inset prioritizes user privacy. It connects directly to your Mac via your local network, with no accounts, cloud servers, remote access outside your network, or data collection.

How often is Inset updated?

The latest version of Inset is 1.0.1, last updated on March 27, 2026. Updates are provided to ensure continued functionality and reliability.

What are some common uses for Inset?

Users find Inset useful for monitoring downloads or builds in progress, keeping an eye on chat while live streaming, watching a dashboard from another room, or tracking activity without needing to be at their desk.

What is the age rating for Inset?

Inset has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. The app's functionality is straightforward and designed for ease of use.