How to Set Up Alfred Remote on iPhone

Edited 3 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Alfred Remote is a versatile and powerful tool that works as a means of controlling your Mac by using your iPhone as a remote control. It is an extension of the Alfred app, which is widely used to enhance productivity on macOS. Setting up Alfred Remote allows you to quickly launch applications, run workflows, and perform various actions without having to physically interact with your keyboard or mouse. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of setting up Alfred Remote on your iPhone, ensuring that you can utilize the full potential of this software. By the end of this article, you will have a seamless connection between your Mac and your iPhone, which will improve your daily computing tasks.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the setup process, make sure that you meet the following prerequisites:

• You must have a Mac running macOS.
• Your Mac must have Alfred 3 or later installed. The basic version is free, but some features require the Alfred Powerpack, which is a paid upgrade.
• An iOS iPhone that is compatible with Alfred Remote.
• Both your Mac and iPhone must be on the same Wi-Fi network for successful communication between the devices.
• Make sure your firewall settings on the Mac allow Alfred Remote to connect.
• Download and install the Alfred Remote app from the App Store on your iPhone.

Step 1: Install Alfred on your Mac

First, make sure you have the Alfred app installed on your Mac. If you don't already have it, follow these instructions:

1. Visit the official Alfred website using a web browser on your Mac.
2. Download the Alfred installer and open it once it's downloaded.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions and drag the Alfred icon to the Applications folder on your Mac.
4. Launch Alfred by opening it from the Applications folder.
5. Go through the initial setup process, and optionally, configure it to launch automatically when you start your Mac.

Step 2: Buy and install the Alfred Powerpack (optional)

While the basic version of Alfred is free, the Alfred Powerpack unlocks additional features, including the ability to use Alfred Remote. If you want to take full advantage of the functionalities offered by Alfred Remote, consider purchasing the Powerpack. To do so:

1. Within the Alfred app on your Mac, go to the “Preferences” menu.
2. Click "Powerpack" in the menu on the left.
3. Follow the link to purchase a PowerPack license from the Alfred website.
4. After purchase, you will receive a license code that you will need to enter into Alfred to activate the PowerPack features.

Step 3: Download and install Alfred Remote on your iPhone

Next, you’ll need to get Alfred Remote on your iPhone. Here’s how:

1. Unlock your iPhone and open the App Store app.
2. Type "Alfred Remote" in the search bar and search for it.
3. Find Alfred Remote in the search results and tap the "Get" or Download button. If asked, confirm using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.
4. Wait for the app to download and install on your iPhone.

Step 4: Connect your iPhone to your Mac

Once both apps are installed on your respective devices, you need to connect them. This step requires your Mac and iPhone to be on the same Wi-Fi network:

1. Make sure Alfred is running on your Mac. If it is active you can see the Alfred hat icon in the menu bar.
2. Open Alfred Remote on your iPhone.
3. The app will automatically begin searching for your Mac. If there are multiple Macs in range, you may see a screen with a list of available devices.
4. Select your Mac when it appears on your iPhone's screen.
5. On your Mac, you will receive a connection request. Accept it.

Step 5: Configure Alfred Remote

Now that your devices are connected, you can start configuring Alfred Remote to streamline your workflow. Here are a few ways to set up custom actions:

Create remote page

Remote pages allow you to group related actions together for easier access. You can create custom pages based on your workflow needs:

1. Open Alfred Preferences on your Mac.
2. Switch to the "Remote" tab in the menu.
3. Click “Add Page” to create a new page for remote actions.
4. Customize the page by adding various actions you use frequently, such as application launchers, system commands, and custom workflows.

Add actions

Once you've created pages, you can fill them with actions. Actions are tasks or commands that can be performed when you tap a button on your iPhone:

1. In the remote page you created, click on the blank space or the "Add Action" button.
2. Choose the kind of action you want to add. Options include launching an app, running a workflow, executing a system command, and more.
3. Follow the on-screen guide to set up specific action details. For example, if you're adding an app launcher, choose the app you want to launch.
4. Consider naming your action and giving it a custom icon for easy identification on your iPhone.

Examples of useful functions

To get started, here are some examples of actions you can configure in Alfred Remote:

• Launch apps: Set a button to open commonly used applications, like your web browser or email client, with a single tap.
• System commands: Add actions to control system volume, play/pause music, or remotely lock your Mac.
• Custom Workflows: Create and assign sophisticated workflows to automate complex sequences of tasks from a single action.

Step 6: Customize the appearance and settings

Alfred Remote also offers customization options to make your interactions more personal:

1. Change the background color or add custom images to your remote pages to easily differentiate them.
2. Adjust settings in Alfred Preferences to enable specific features like automatic reconnect, tactile feedback when pressing a button, and more.
3. Update your task sets and pages regularly to keep them up to date with your changing workflow needs.

Step 7: Troubleshoot connection issues

If you have trouble connecting or maintaining a connection between your iPhone and Mac, consider the following troubleshooting suggestions:

• Make sure both devices are on the same and active Wi-Fi network. Both must be connected for this to work properly.
• Restart the Alfred apps on both your iPhone and Mac to refresh the connection.
• To make sure Alfred Remote is allowed to connect, check your Mac's firewall settings by going to "System Preferences" > "Security & Privacy" > "Firewall."
• If connection problems persist, restart your router to reset your network.
• If the issue is complex or ongoing, consult Alfred support resources or the community forums for further assistance.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you have now successfully set up Alfred Remote on your iPhone. You can use this powerful tool to increase your productivity by simplifying the way you interact with your Mac. The setup process is straightforward and gives you unlimited customization options to suit your workflow. Whether you want to speed up common tasks or create an intuitive control panel for your daily activities, Alfred Remote on iPhone is a valuable addition to your toolkit. Don't forget to explore Alfred's extensive documentation and user forums to discover new ways to maximize your productivity.

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