# Surface Remote for Companion — Bitfocus Companion button deck > iPhone/iPad button surface for Bitfocus Companion control. (iPhone/iPad app by Thomas Brown.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surface-remote-for-companion/id6773176254 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Thomas Brown](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896052848) - Category: Utilities, Productivity - Price: Free with in-app purchases (on sale, was $1.99) - Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.0 · 2 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-09-29 - Data updated: 2026-10-16 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases ## What is Surface Remote for Companion? NO ADS. Surface Remote for Companion turns an iPhone or iPad into a button surface for Bitfocus Companion. It connects over Companion's Satellite API, on your own network, and shows your Companion buttons live. Built for control rooms, live events, streams, churches, schools and AV booths — anywhere you run a show from Companion and want one more set of buttons in your hand. WHAT IT DOES • Connects to Companion as a Satellite surface (WebSocket, port 16623 by default) • Finds Companion on your network by itself — tap it to connect, no address to type • Live button text, colour and press state from Companion • Tap or hold to press; page up and down; current page shown • Dashboard: pick the keys you need from any Companion page and put them on one screen • Operator mode: share chosen Dashboard keys with a crew member's phone by QR code; they see only those keys, and you can revoke them at any time • PIN lock: when Companion's PIN lock is on, unlock with the app's own keypad • Keeps the screen awake while connected • Light, Dark or System theme • Free to download and use • Remembers your last Companion and your surface settings, and connects on launch • Multi-Instance (in-app purchase, $9.99): save several servers, switch between them right on the surface, and on iPad run two surfaces at once • Auto reconnect when Companion restarts • Choose the grid: rows, columns, text size • Optional button artwork, or text-only for the fastest updates • Optional advanced layout with encoder controls • Diagnostics: latency, uptime, reconnects, Companion version, and a connection log you can share • Landscape layout for iPhone and iPad, or turn the surface upright with one tap • Settings in their own tab; the Connect and Settings screens turn with your phone PRIVACY No account. No ads. No analytics. The app talks only to the Companion server you use. Saved servers stay on your device. The camera is used only to scan an Operator QR code, on the device. REQUIREMENTS Bitfocus Companion running on a computer on the same network, with the Satellite WebSocket listener on. Dashboard and Operator mode need Companion 5 with Satellite subscriptions on. Surface Remote for Companion is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Bitfocus. ## Key features - Connects to Companion as Satellite surface - Live button text, color, and press state - Customizable Dashboard screen - Operator mode for crew sharing - PIN lock integration - Keeps screen awake - Light/Dark/System theme ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Multi-Instance | $4.99 | one-time | ## Is Surface Remote for Companion safe? Not enough ratings yet to assess Surface Remote for Companion. ## Is Surface Remote for Companion legit? Surface Remote for Companion has limited verification signals. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Surface Remote for Companion is 58 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data. ## Frequently asked questions about Surface Remote for Companion ### Does Surface Remote for Companion have ads? No, Surface Remote for Companion is completely ad-free. The app's privacy statement explicitly mentions 'No ads' and 'No analytics', ensuring a distraction-free user experience. ### What is the price of Surface Remote for Companion? Surface Remote for Companion is free to download and use. There is an optional in-app purchase for 'Multi-Instance' functionality, priced at $9.99, which allows saving multiple servers and running two surfaces on iPad. ### What devices does Surface Remote for Companion support? Surface Remote for Companion is available for iPhone and iPad. It supports both landscape and portrait orientations, with specific layout options for each device type. ### How often is Surface Remote for Companion updated? The latest version, 1.1.3, was released on October 9, 2026. Updates typically include bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features based on user feedback and Bitfocus Companion developments. ### What is the age rating for Surface Remote for Companion? Surface Remote for Companion has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for a wide audience and does not contain content inappropriate for young users. ### How does Surface Remote for Companion connect to Bitfocus Companion? The app connects to Bitfocus Companion via its Satellite API using WebSockets, typically on port 16623. It automatically discovers Companion on your network, eliminating the need to manually enter IP addresses. ### What are the benefits of the 'Operator mode' in Surface Remote for Companion? Operator mode allows you to share specific Dashboard keys with a crew member's phone via a QR code. The recipient sees only those chosen keys, and you can revoke access at any time, enhancing collaborative control. ### Can Surface Remote for Companion help diagnose connection issues? Yes, the app includes a diagnostics feature that provides information on latency, uptime, reconnects, and the Companion version. It also offers a connection log that can be shared for troubleshooting. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.1.3 — 2026-10-09 • Saving your connection is now free. The app remembers your last Companion and your settings, and connects on launch. • Multi-Instance is the one in-app purchase: saved servers, the switcher, and two surfaces on iPad. • iPad: upright keys now fill the screen. ### 1.1.2 — 2026-10-06 Search improvements. ### 1.1.1 — 2026-10-03 Search improvements. ### 1.1 — 2026-10-03 • Now free. Save Connection ($1.99, one time) keeps your connection and settings and connects on launch. Bought the app before? It's already yours. • Settings have their own tab. Connect and Settings turn with your phone. • Dashboard: put the keys you need from any Companion page on one screen. • Operator mode: share chosen keys with a crew phone by QR code. They see only those keys. Revoke any time. • Finds Companion on your network by itself. Tap to connect. • PIN lock: unlock with the app's own keypad when Companion's PIN lock is on. • Keeps the screen awake while connected. • Light, Dark or System theme. • Share the connection log from Diagnostics. • New app icon. ### 1.0 — 2026-09-29 No release notes. ## Apps similar to Surface Remote for Companion | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [KromaDMX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kromadmx/id6761962194) | — | Free | Utilities | | [TVU Review](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tvu-review/id6444038323) | — | Free | Utilities | | [TVU Replay](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tvu-replay/id1602173441) | — | Free | Utilities | | [TVU Partyline](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tvu-partyline/id6475027499) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Utilities | | [TVU Anywhere Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tvu-anywhere-lite/id6737227810) | — | Free | Utilities | | [TouchRemote PRO](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touchremote-pro/id6737225534) | — | Free | Utilities | ## More apps by Thomas Brown - [Squishy Math Trail](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/squishy-math-trail/id6810906291) All apps by Thomas Brown: https://appshunter.io/developer/1896052848 ## Related topics [bitfocus companion](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bitfocus-companion) · [companion viewsonic](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/companion-viewsonic) --- *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 2026-10-16.*