AFK Remote

AFK Remote is a remote desktop application designed to connect iOS or Android devices to a Mac computer, enabling users to access their full development environment from their mobile devices. The tool is tailored for developers who want to code, run simulators, manage databases, and interact with running services on their Mac, all while away from their main workstation. AFK Remote emphasizes a touch-optimized, low-latency experience, making it suitable for coding and related tasks on the go.

The platform operates by establishing a peer-to-peer connection using WebRTC, ensuring that screen data and input remain private and do not pass through external servers. All traffic is encrypted with DTLS-SRTP for end-to-end security. Users can pair their devices with a simple code, and no account is required for setup or use. Once paired, users can connect at any time, with session keys remaining on their devices. The host component is open source, allowing users to review exactly what runs on their machine.

AFK Remote supports agent notifications, meaning users receive alerts on their phone when AI agents or coding tools complete tasks or require attention. The system can auto-detect certain coding tools, such as Claude Code and Pi Coding Agent, and integrates with them to provide notifications. The notification feature uses a local socket for communication, ensuring no network calls or API keys are needed, and it is designed to avoid interfering with agent operation if the host app is not running.

Delivery of AFK Remote involves installing a mobile app on iOS or Android devices and a companion menu bar app on macOS. A CLI tool is also available for setup and integration with coding agents. Windows support is planned, and Linux support is under consideration. The host application is open source, and users can view its code on GitHub. The service does not require user accounts, focusing on privacy and ease of use.