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File: 15 iPhone and iPad apps to pair with Mac and PC + practical tutorials

The iPhone, iPad and Macs represent areal ecosystemand Apple is working to make the transition between different devices easier. With the arrival of iCloud, the products marked with the apple have become even closer to each other. Now it is extremely easy toswitch from iPad to Mac to finish on iPhone. Whether it is a web page, book, film, music or even documents, there is not much to do to have access to our content everywhere and all the time.

But some developers have decided to strengthen this link even further by offeringMac (and sometimes PC) apps that connect computer and iPhone for more advanced features. This is precisely the theme ofthis weekly file. So forward for an overview of the link
iPhone-Mac, but also iPad and Apple Watch in practical applications:

Dropbox: the magic of the cloud

Is it worth presentingDropbox, one of the pioneers of free online storage? Available in a universal version for iOS and of course on Mac and PC,it's a very practical way to take your important files and favorite photos with you everywhere.Fast, free and very well integrated on different platforms, this is an excellent way to use the Cloud and say goodbye to USB keys.

Apple also offers its file management solution withiCloud, but it remains less complete. Despite everything, Tim Cook's firm improves its cloud regularly. Recently, a Files app appeared with iOS 11. It allows you to easily manage files from iCloud, but also those from Dropbox, for that matter. Seehere to learn more about this File app.

Type2phone: an external keyboard for iPhone and iPad

Type2phoneis a handy little app. To put it simply, it transforms the Mac keyboard into an external Bluetooth keyboard for iPhone or iPad. Those with big fingers will appreciate it. Once the computer is paired via Bluetooth to the iPad or iPhone, simply launch the application and type on the keyboard to see the text displayed on
the mobile device. It's magical!

Transfer images and video in the blink of an eye

Mac and iPhone can communicate using AirDrop and easily send photos and videos from one device to another. It's simple and convenient, but device detection is sometimes a little slow, and AirDrop is not available on older Macs and iOS devices. Fortunately, there are alternative solutions that are sometimes even faster:

  • Instashare:

instashare, for example, is a kind of improved AirDrop. With this app, just click once to transfer a file. Better yet, there's an extension in the native photo app, so you don't even have to open the Instashare app. The icing on the cake, unlike AirDrop,This also works on Windows.

When the iPhone becomes an additional screen of the Mac

Who has never wanted to extend the screen of their MacBook a little? This is exactly what we offerAirDisplay. By installing the computer application and its iOS version on the iPhone or iPad, the latter(s) can be used as additional screen(s) for the Mac. It’s thanks to Wi-Fi that the magic happens. We offered youa video in this article.

For the same function, butvia USB connectioninstead of the wireless connection, there is also the applicationDuet Display. The latter,tested heretherefore allows you to use the iPhone or iPad as an external screenin connection with the sectorthanks to a classic Apple charging cable. Benefits :no lags linked to Wi-Fiand mobile devicesstay charged.

Reflector: find the iPhone and iPad on your Mac

Presentation, education, development, captures, there are a thousand and one reasons to need to display the iPhone or iPad screen on your computer screen. This is precisely why the app aptly namedReflectorwas created. The application uses technologyAirPlayto display the iPhone or iPad screen directly on the Mac screen. The display responds well, it is even possible to make videos. It worksonMac, but also on PC.

On OSview and film the iPhone or iPad screen. However, contrary to what Reflector offers, you must connect the iPhone with a cable. For more details on handling,it's byici.

iMessage: Communicate easily from iPhone and/or iPad to Mac

How to talk about communication between iPhone, iPad and Mac without mentioning iMessage. There is nothing to do here exceptsome configuration operations to read here. Everything is installed by default
both on the iPhone and iPad as well as on the Mac.

For example, it is possible to send and receive SMS messages on your Mac. To find out everything, head toour dedicated article.

The iPhone as a keyboard, mouse or more

“There's an app for that”, said Steve Jobs and we must admit that this is often verified. So, there is also an application to turn your iPhone into a wireless keyboard or mouse for your computer, whether Mac or PC. Whether you need an additional keyboard, a simple mouse or even a Trackpad, the following application can provide many services.

Take control of your Mac remotely with iPhone or iPad

To troubleshoot, access the computer or simply for fun, it is also possible to take remote control of the computer directly from the iPhone or iPad. Several applications exist for this, here they are:

But to go even further, there are apps that allow you to transform the iPhone or iPad into a real additional control surface that complements the keyboard-mouse duo used on a Mac:

Alfred

The first of them isAlfred Remote. To install on the iPhone or iPad in addition to the productivity appAlfredon Mac, software replacing the Spotlight bar, among others. Alfred Remote will allow you to createpanels oforderson the iOS device, including shortcuts to open apps on the Mac, Safari, Mail, iTunes, or even web addresses directly, or even serve as macro commands to activateAutomation, etc. The connection is via Wi-Fi and the latency between the two devices is almostzero!

Turn iPhone into a Wireless Webcam

Yes, the iPhone and iPad have a camera, so why not use it as a wireless webcam? This is what the WebCamera application allows you to do. Simply install a free application on the Mac or PC to be able to use the iPhone connected via Wi-Fi for Skype and other messaging / videoconferencing apps.

Calling with the Mac

Obviously, there is no question here of putting the Mac to your ear... Previously, there were applications for calling with the Mac likeDialoguethat we havetested here. But since OS X Yosemite, all that is gone.

From now on, the telephone function is available natively thanks to FaceTime. All you need to do is scrupulously follow the instructions given.in this article. Once everything is configured, a simple click is enough to answer or make a call using the computer's speaker as long as the iPhone is nearby.

Lock, unlock Mac remotely

With the iPhone

When you go away and regularly return to your workstation, you may want and even need to find a simple solution to lock and unlock the Mac. An app for that? Of course Sir!

MacID can indeed allow you to use the Touch ID of the iOS device to unlock a Mac. By installing a client on the Mac in addition to the iPhone app, the user can use the fingerprint sensor of their iPhone or iPad to, via Bluetooth, start unlocking their session on the Mac. We talked about itin this article.

With the Apple Watch

With macOS Sierra and later, a new feature allows an Apple Watch associated with the iCloud account used on the Mac to act as a lock for the Mac in question. So, when the user equipped with their Apple Watch approaches their Mac, it opens the session automatically.

Universal clipboard

iOS 10and macOS Sierra have brought a universal clipboard function which allows you to find on all your machines (in the clipboard, ready to be pasted) what has been copied (web links, text, and images) from a Mac, iPhone or iPad.

There are alternatives however, which avoid having to install one or the other of the two OS mentioned above.

Copied

The application is available on iPhone, iPad and Mac and allows you to share a clipboard between machines. It also offersadditional features seen in our dedicated article here, such as a history, the possibility of organizing copied content into a list, and many other things.

Clippo

Here is an app announcing features similar to Copied, but less known and also less expensive. A potentially interesting alternative!

And finally, let us remember that this type of file cannot be exhaustive. You will inevitably have other applications to recommend because you appreciate them and use them on a daily basis. Do not hesitate to do so via the comments by indicating their strengths and your preferences!

i-nfo.fr - Official iPhon.fr app

By : Keleops AG

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