Couchdesk
Support
Something not working? The answers to the usual questions are below. If yours isn't, write to contact@quentinvedrenne.com with your iPhone or iPad model, your macOS version and what you see — we answer every message.
Getting started
- Download Couchdesk for Mac (free, macOS 13 or later), move it to Applications and open it. A QR code appears.
- When macOS asks, allow Couchdesk in Screen & System Audio Recording (so your phone can see the screen) and Accessibility (so your phone can move the pointer and type).
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Couchdesk, tap Scan QR code and point the camera at the code. Allow local network access when iOS asks.
Your phone remembers your Mac. Next time, just tap it on the home screen.
Questions
The phone can't find or connect to my Mac
- Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi or local network. Guest networks and some office or hotel networks block devices from talking to each other.
- On the phone: Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network → Couchdesk must be on.
- On the Mac: Couchdesk for Mac must be open (its sofa icon is in the menu bar). If the macOS firewall is on, allow incoming connections for Couchdesk.
- Turn off any VPN on the phone or the Mac and try again.
"This code has expired" when I scan
Pairing codes work once and only for a few minutes, so a photo of an old one is useless to anybody else. Open Couchdesk for Mac, ask it for a new code, and scan again.
I'm connected but the screen is black
Couchdesk for Mac needs the Screen Recording permission. On the Mac open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording, turn Couchdesk on, then quit and reopen Couchdesk for Mac.
I can see the screen but the pointer doesn't move, or typing does nothing
Couchdesk for Mac needs the Accessibility permission to move the pointer and type. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility, turn Couchdesk on (remove it with − and add it again if it is already on), then reopen Couchdesk for Mac.
How do I click, scroll, drag, zoom?
| Trackpad mode | |
|---|---|
| Move the pointer | Slide one finger |
| Click | Tap with one finger (double-tap to double-click) |
| Right-click | Tap with two fingers |
| Scroll | Slide two fingers |
| Drag | Touch and hold, then slide |
| Zoom the picture | Pinch |
In Touch mode, tap exactly where you want to click and slide to drag. Switch modes from the toolbar during a session. The keyboard button opens the keyboard, with modifier keys and shortcuts above it.
Is it secure?
Your phone and your Mac talk directly over your own network, encrypted with TLS 1.3, and your phone only accepts the Mac whose certificate was in the QR code it scanned. Each QR code holds a one-time code; after pairing, your phone uses an access token only your Mac can check. Nothing goes through our servers and your screen is never recorded. See the privacy policy.
How do I unpair a phone or a Mac?
On the phone: Settings → Paired Macs, then forget the Mac. On the Mac: choose Forget paired devices from the Couchdesk menu bar icon; every phone will need to scan a new code.
Can I use it away from home, over the internet?
Not yet: Couchdesk works on your local network only, which is also what keeps it fast and private.
Couchdesk Pro: restore, cancel, refunds
- Restore: on a new phone, open the Pro screen or Settings and tap Restore Purchases, signed in with the same Apple Account.
- Cancel the yearly plan: Settings in the app → Manage Subscription, or iOS Settings → your name → Subscriptions. Cancel at least 24 hours before renewal; you keep Pro until the end of the period you paid for. Cancelling during the free week costs nothing.
- Refunds are handled by Apple: reportaproblem.apple.com.
Why do I see ads?
The free version is paid for by a banner on the home screen and an occasional ad after a session — never while you are using your Mac. Couchdesk Pro removes them all. In Europe you can change your ad consent choices in Settings → Privacy choices.
Assistance (français)
Écrivez-nous à contact@quentinvedrenne.com en précisant votre modèle d'iPhone ou d'iPad et votre version de macOS.
- Pour commencer : installez Couchdesk pour Mac (gratuit, macOS 13 ou ultérieur) et ouvrez-le ; autorisez-le dans Enregistrement de l'écran et de l'audio système et dans Accessibilité. Sur l'iPhone, touchez Scanner le QR code et autorisez l'accès au réseau local.
- Connexion impossible : les deux appareils doivent être sur le même Wi-Fi ; vérifiez Réglages → Confidentialité et sécurité → Réseau local → Couchdesk sur l'iPhone, que Couchdesk pour Mac est ouvert, et désactivez tout VPN.
- Code expiré : un code ne sert qu'une fois et quelques minutes ; affichez-en un nouveau sur le Mac.
- Écran noir : autorisez Couchdesk dans Enregistrement de l'écran, puis relancez-le sur le Mac.
- Le pointeur ne bouge pas : autorisez Couchdesk dans Accessibilité, puis relancez-le sur le Mac.
- Pro : touchez Restaurer les achats sur un nouvel appareil ; gérez ou annulez l'abonnement depuis les Réglages de l'app ou d'iOS, au moins 24 h avant le renouvellement.