Can I control Mac Mini with a remote control

[oliverstacey]

Hello

Does anyone know if there is a remote control available that will control the Mac Mini in the same way that a mouse or trackpad does? I want to be able to control the cursor so that I can navigate itunes or the desktop by moving the remote and clciking when the cursor is over the item I want to select.

If not does anyone have any good alternatives please? I have VNC Viewer on my ipad but dont really like using it when watching films or playing music and I have bought an Apple Remote but this only has limited control.

Thank you for your help.


Oliver.

 

[ignatius345]

Are you just using the Mini as a media player and looking to control it from across the room or something?

If you're just playing media, you might want to use a media management app like Plex or something that's optimized for a remote.

If you're actually browsing around on the desktop, you might as well just use a wireless keyboard/mouse combo.

 

[oliverstacey]

I’m using it for a bit of both really.

I use Kodi and iTunes mainly and the Apple Remote controls Kodi effectively but not iTunes and doesn’t do anything on the desktop.

I don’t really want to get a keyboard/trackpad as it is a bit big for when you are sitting on the sofa and just want to pause or skip a track.

 

[Boyd01]

There's the Remote app, but that only controls iTunes.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/itunes-remote/id284417350?mt=8

I have also tried Teamviewer but didn't especially like it and don't really have a need for it.

https://www.teamviewer.com/en/download/ios/

 

[oliverstacey]

Cheers. I have the remote app and it works well but like you say only with iTunes and I really want the ease of a remote control.

 

[Dc2006ster]

I know nothing about this but it may be worth checking out.

https://flirc.tv/more/flirc-usb

 

[adam9c1]

Take a look at Parallels Access

Its sort of like team viewer, but some controls are designed for the remote touch
https://www.parallels.com/products/access/
There is a demo/trial

 

[oliverstacey]

Flirc looks like it will work but that also led me to a download called Candelair which looks like it may work too. I will download it later to try. Through looking into Candelair I also watched some videos on YouTube where people are using media centre remotes with keyboards and trackpads so it looks like there are a few options now.

 

[cherpake]

you can check this: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/remote-control-for-mac/id884153085?mt=8 (and its currently on sale - 40% OFF)

 

[oliverstacey]

Candelair didn’t offer anything to do with controls so I scrapped that.

I have downloaded an app called remote mouse onto my phone and Mac so will use that temporarily but long term once I have bought a new TV I think that I will get Flirc as it allows you to set buttons on your existing remote control to mimic key presses.

Thanks for all the advice and if anyone comes up with anything else please let me know.

 

[oliverstacey]

Hello

I have just found out that what I want is called an Air Mouse. Can ayone reccomend a goood one please?

 

[edgar54]

hello macmini fans. An obvious tool is Apple RDT remote desktop [free].
Have fun !
MacMini lover
[pc micro's since 1982]