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. Servey pairs only your Mac with your own iPhone or iPad, scoped to your account. On the remote path your screen stays private and end-to-end encrypted between your devices - it hardly touches our servers.

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 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.

When is it launching and how much will it cost?

Pricing is coming soon. Join the waitlist and we'll email you the moment Servey is ready, with pricing details before launch.

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Choosing a Screens or Jump Desktop alternative for Mac remote control

July 9, 2026 · 4 min read

If you have been using Screens, Jump Desktop, TeamViewer, or a VNC app to reach your Mac from your phone, here is an honest checklist for evaluating a modern alternative.

Remote-desktop tools for the Mac fall into a few camps. VNC-based apps are open and flexible but often blurry and fiddly to secure. Cross-platform suites like TeamViewer are powerful but heavy and built primarily for IT support. Native Apple-focused apps like Screens and Jump Desktop are much nicer to use, and set the bar for what a good experience looks like. So what should you compare when choosing among them - or when looking for something new?

A practical comparison checklist

Picture quality: is text crisp and aspect-correct, or blurry and stretched? Look for a modern, hardware-accelerated video path rather than plain VNC.
Setup: does it require a VPN, port forwarding, or IP addresses - or do you just sign in on both devices?
Away-from-home connectivity: does it connect reliably over cellular and behind strict carrier networks, and switch paths automatically?
Input quality: a genuine trackpad and full keyboard with shortcuts, not a clumsy tap-to-click overlay.
Terminal: can you run a real shell on your Mac, or is it screen-only?
Privacy: is your session end-to-end encrypted and scoped to your own account, or relayed through third-party infrastructure?
Native feel: is it built for Apple platforms, or an Electron or Java port that feels foreign on iOS?

Where Servey fits

Servey is a new, native alternative built specifically for controlling a Mac from an iPhone or iPad. It aims at the parts of this checklist that matter most day to day:

Crystal-clear mirroring on your local network with a direct, hardware-accelerated stream.
Zero-config setup: sign in with Google on both devices, no VPN and no port forwarding.
Automatic path switching - direct on your network, private peer-to-peer when you are away - reliable even on strict mobile networks.
A real terminal on your Mac, over either connection path.
Private by design: sessions are scoped to your own account and end-to-end encrypted on the remote path.
Built natively for the Apple ecosystem - not an Electron or Java port.

Bottom line

Screens and Jump Desktop are excellent and well established. If you specifically want a native, zero-configuration tool with sharp mirroring and a real terminal - and you are happy to be an early adopter - Servey is worth watching. It is launching soon; join the waitlist to try it.

Servey puts your Mac in your pocket. Launching soon.