The latest articles on DEV Community by M (@m_f491d4ae90550879db4757b). https://dev.to/m_f491d4ae90550879db4757b https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4177460%2Fd4f25195-d60b-48a9-8a5e-b9a97e2bee25.png https://dev.to/m_f491d4ae90550879db4757b en M Sun, 11 Oct 2026 16:55:48 +0000 https://dev.to/m_f491d4ae90550879db4757b/using-your-android-phone-as-a-mouse-trackpad-and-tv-remote-on-mac-windows-and-linux-x11-and-57bi https://dev.to/m_f491d4ae90550879db4757b/using-your-android-phone-as-a-mouse-trackpad-and-tv-remote-on-mac-windows-and-linux-x11-and-57bi <p>Your phone already has a touchscreen, motion sensors, Wi-Fi and a full keyboard. That makes it a better remote than most gadgets in the drawer. Here is what I think a good phone-as-mouse setup needs, and how I approached it in MouseOS.</p> <h2> The checklist </h2> <ol> <li> <strong>Wi-Fi, not only Bluetooth.</strong> Faster pairing, longer range, no conflict with headphones.</li> <li> <strong>Automatic discovery.</strong> Nobody wants to type an IP address.</li> <li> <strong>Pair once.</strong> Approve the phone one time on the computer, then it just works.</li> <li> <strong>Works offline.</strong> A phone hotspot should be enough. No cloud in between.</li> <li> <strong>All major desktops.</strong> macOS, Windows and Linux, including Wayland, where input injection needs an explicit permission step.</li> <li> <strong>Privacy.</strong> A tool that moves your cursor and types for you should not need an account or phone home.</li> </ol> <h2> What MouseOS does </h2> <ul> <li>Trackpad: tap to click, two-finger scroll, hold-and-drag.</li> <li>Air mouse: aim the phone like a TV remote.</li> <li>Media remote and keyboard with accents and emoji.</li> <li>Presentation mode with a timer and volume-key slide control.</li> <li>Direct control of Samsung, LG and Google TV.</li> </ul> <p>Phone and computer talk directly over the local network. There is no server, no account, no ads and no analytics.</p> <h2> Platform notes </h2> <ul> <li>macOS 11+ on Apple Silicon. It needs the Accessibility permission, and early builds are not notarized yet, so you will see a first-launch warning.</li> <li>Windows 10/11 64-bit. Early builds are not signed yet, so SmartScreen warns on first launch.</li> <li>Linux on x86_64 and arm64, including Raspberry Pi 4, 5 and 400, on X11 and Wayland. On Wayland you click "Allow control" once.</li> </ul> <h2> Status </h2> <p>The Android app is in closed beta on Google Play and launches publicly in November 2026. An iPhone version is planned.</p> <p>Site: <a href="https://mouseos.app" rel="noopener noreferrer">mouseos.app</a>. I would love feedback, especially from Linux and Raspberry Pi users.</p> android linux productivity mobile