Sidekey vs PilotNest

Sidekey turns your iPhone into a customizable wireless keyboard and shortcut pad for your own computer. Tap keys on your phone and they type on your Mac or Windows PC over your local Wi‑Fi — no extra hardware, no cables. Design the keyboard you actually want: add keys, build shortcuts (including combos like Cmd/Ctrl, and left/right modifiers), arrange them on a grid, and switch between layers and modes. Keep your most-used shortcuts one tap away. HOW IT WORKS Sidekey works together with a small, free desktop helper you run on the computer you want to control. Put both devices on the same Wi‑Fi, scan a QR code once to pair, and you're connected. Pairing is secured with a token, and your keystrokes travel directly to your own computer — never through us. FEATURES • Custom key designer — make your own keys, shortcuts, and layouts • Shortcuts & combos — Cmd/Ctrl/Alt/Shift, function keys, media keys, and left/right‑specific modifiers • Multiple layers & modes — flip between a full keyboard, a shortcut deck, a trackpad, and more • Trackpad mode — use your phone as a touchpad with left/right buttons • Voice typing — dictate with the system keyboard and send the text to your computer • Quick pairing — scan a QR code; reconnects automatically afterward • Works with Mac and Windows • Private by design — no account, no tracking, nothing sent to the developer REQUIRES THE FREE DESKTOP HELPER Sidekey needs the free Sidekey helper running on your Mac or Windows computer. Download it from the link on our support page. Questions or ideas? We'd love to hear from you.

PilotNest is the iPhone and iPad companion for MacPilot. Connect to your Mac over a local network to view its desktop, use a mouse trackpad and type remotely. You can also lock, blank, unlock or wake and unlock the Mac. A nearby Bluetooth fallback supports control when Wi-Fi is unavailable; remote video requires a network connection. Highlights • Live remote desktop preview with pinch zoom • Relative mouse trackpad, dragging, multi-finger scrolling and pressure simulation • Remote keyboard input and common shortcuts • One-tap Lock / Blank / Unlock / Wake & Unlock • Multiple Macs, automatic discovery and IP / hostname connections • Connect across networks using Tailscale configured on both devices • Pair with a 6-digit code; traffic is encrypted after pairing Requirements Install MacPilot on your Mac and enable Remote Control. Desktop video requires Screen Recording permission; mouse and keyboard control require Accessibility permission: https://github.com/misswell/MacPilot Privacy PilotNest does not collect user data. Control traffic is encrypted between paired devices. Your Mac login password stays on the Mac and is never sent to your phone.