Do I need to be on the same network?

No. On the same Wi-Fi, Servey uses a direct, high-performance stream for the sharpest possible picture. On different networks it automatically switches to a private connection between your own devices. Either way it just works.

Is it secure and private?

Yes, and there are two locks rather than one. Signing in with Google pairs only your own devices, scoped to your account. On top of that you set a master password on your Mac that every device must produce before it can connect, each new device waits for you to approve it on the Mac itself, and you can revoke any device at any time. Your screen video travels end-to-end encrypted peer-to-peer between your devices; if your network will not allow a direct connection, it relays through our own server rather than a third party's cloud.

What happens to my terminal session if I disconnect?

It keeps running. Every terminal session in Servey is a named session that lives on your Mac rather than inside the app, so closing Servey, losing signal or putting the phone in your pocket does not stop the work. Start a long build from the iPad, come back an hour later, and you rejoin it exactly where it got to. You can also open the same live session on your Mac and your iPad at once.

Can I hide what I am doing from people near my Mac?

Yes. Privacy Mode blacks out every monitor physically attached to your Mac while the stream you are watching keeps showing the real desktop. It covers every app, every space and every connected display, including the cursor, and nothing is overlaid on screen. If Servey quits or the connection drops, macOS restores the displays on its own, so it cannot leave the Mac stuck on black.

What if I stop using Servey - am I locked in?

No. Servey runs your terminal sessions in tmux on your own Mac, and the app shows you the attach command for each one. Paste it into Terminal.app, iTerm, Ghostty or an SSH connection and you are in the same live session with Servey uninstalled. Nothing you start in Servey is trapped in a format only Servey can open.

Does it work over cellular?

Yes. Servey is built to connect reliably even on strict mobile and carrier networks where most tools give up, and it tunes quality to your connection automatically so the picture stays smooth.

Which devices are supported?

A Mac as the host, controlled from an iPhone or iPad. Servey needs macOS 15.3 or later on the Mac and iOS or iPadOS 18.5 or later on the device you control it from, so it is worth checking your versions before you join the waitlist. Any Mac that runs macOS 15.3 works, Apple silicon or Intel, and a MacBook can be driven with the lid shut. Servey is built natively for the Apple ecosystem - not an Electron or Java port - so it feels fast and right at home on your devices.

Do I need a VPN or port forwarding?

No. There's no VPN to configure and no ports to forward. Sign in with Google on both devices and your Mac appears - that's the entire setup.

Is there a free version?

Yes. Servey has a free tier with no card and no countdown: five-minute sessions, five sessions a day, and your daily allowance resets at local midnight. Everything Servey does is in it - screen mirroring, input and the terminal - so what you are paying for on a paid plan is time, not a longer feature list.

When is it launching and how much will it cost?

Servey is in pre-submission hardening now, and the waitlist is how you get in first. Pricing is already set: free to start, the Terminal plan at $1.99/month or ₹99/month in India, and Full access - screen mirroring plus terminal - at $4.49/month or ₹299/month in India. Join the waitlist and we'll email you the moment it's ready. You're never charged until launch.

Can I access my Mac over cellular (4G or 5G)?

Yes. Servey connects your Mac and iPhone even on mobile networks, switching to a private encrypted path automatically when you are off your home Wi-Fi.

Do I need to forward ports to reach my Mac on mobile data?

No. Servey needs no port forwarding or static IP - sign in on both devices and it links them for you.

Does it work on strict carrier networks?

Yes. Servey is built to connect reliably even on strict mobile and carrier networks where many remote tools fail.

How to access your Mac remotely over cellular

By Janesh Kapoor · July 9, 2026 · Updated September 5, 2026 · 4 min read

Getting to your Mac over Wi-Fi is easy. Getting to it from your phone on mobile data, behind your carrier's network, is where most remote tools fall apart. Here is why - and how to do it without any router setup.

You are out with just your phone on 5G, and you need something from your Mac at home. In theory this is simple; in practice, carrier networks make it hard. Understanding why helps you pick a tool that actually connects.

Why cellular is the hard case

Most mobile carriers put you behind carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT), which means your phone does not have a public address that your Mac can call back to. The same is true for most home networks behind a router. Two devices that both sit behind NAT cannot simply open a direct connection - which is why traditional remote access asks you to set up a VPN, forward ports, or use a jump server.

The modern approach: no router setup at all

Rather than making you configure the network, a well-built app coordinates the connection for you. A lightweight signaling step helps your two devices discover each other, then they establish a private, direct link. When a fully direct path is not possible, traffic is securely relayed so the session still works - all without you touching a router.

No VPN to install or maintain.
No port forwarding or firewall rules on your home router.
No public IP address or dynamic-DNS setup.
Works from mobile data, cafe Wi-Fi, or a hotel network.

How Servey connects over cellular

Servey is designed for exactly this situation. When you are away, it establishes a private, end-to-end encrypted connection between your own devices, using NAT traversal so it connects even on strict mobile and CGNAT networks. If a direct path is not available, it securely relays instead of failing. You never configure any of it - you sign in with Google on both devices and connect.

It also adapts quality to your connection automatically, so the picture stays smooth on a weaker mobile signal instead of freezing. Servey is launching soon - join the waitlist to try it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I access my Mac over cellular (4G or 5G)?: Yes. Servey connects your Mac and iPhone even on mobile networks, switching to a private encrypted path automatically when you are off your home Wi-Fi.
Do I need to forward ports to reach my Mac on mobile data?: No. Servey needs no port forwarding or static IP - sign in on both devices and it links them for you.
Does it work on strict carrier networks?: Yes. Servey is built to connect reliably even on strict mobile and carrier networks where many remote tools fail.

Servey puts your Mac in your pocket. Launching soon.