TouchDeck
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Help guide

Everything about setting up TouchDeck, building your deck and getting the most from it. Can't find an answer? Contact support.

Getting started

TouchDeck has two parts: the app on your iPhone or iPad, where you press, and TouchDeck for Mac, which runs your presses. Install both, keep them on the same Wi-Fi, and pair them once.

  1. Install TouchDeck for Mac from the Mac App Store and open it. It appears in the menu bar.
  2. Open TouchDeck on your iPhone or iPad and follow the steps. Allow local network access when iOS asks.
  3. Pick your Mac from the list and approve the four-digit code on your Mac.
  4. Start your 7-day free trial, then take the short tour, or skip it and start pressing.

Pairing

Pairing makes your iPhone or iPad and your Mac trust each other. It happens once; after that they reconnect on their own whenever both are on the same network.

  • From the list: pick your Mac, then click Approve on the Mac when the codes match.
  • With the QR code: on the Mac, click Pair new device, then scan the code with TouchDeck.
  • Pair another Mac: Settings › Connection › Pair a new Mac. A new Mac replaces the old one.
  • Forget a Mac: Settings › Connection › Forget. On the Mac, you can also revoke a device in its Devices window.

Using the deck

  • Press a key to run it. Its lamp lights when your Mac confirms.
  • Press and hold a key for its second action, if it has one.
  • Swipe sideways for the next screen or page. The dots show where you are; tap a dot to jump.
  • Toggle keys (like Mute) stay lit while they're on.
  • Tap the profile name to choose a profile yourself, and Back to automatic to let the deck follow your Mac again.

Editing your deck

Tap Edit on the deck. On iPhone, iPhone Duo and iPad in portrait you edit right on the deck; on a wide iPad screen the editor shows Controls, the canvas and an inspector side by side.

  • Add a key: tap a + slot and choose a quick key, one of your app's shortcuts or a Mac app. On a wide iPad, tap or drag from Controls.
  • Change what a key does: tap a key to select it, tap again to open it, then choose Press: a keyboard shortcut, an app, a link, a system or media control, a Shortcut or a workflow.
  • Move and resize: drag a key to move it; pull its corner to make it bigger.
  • Pages: tap the page name at the top. Press and hold a page to rename or delete it, drag it to reorder, or add a page.
  • Undo and redo are at the top left. Everything saves as you go.

Dials, sliders and the jog wheel

  • Dials turn freely (sending a key per step, for zoom or brush size) or stop at their ends (for a value like volume). Tap a dial without turning it to run its press action.
  • Sliders set a value like volume or brightness, with a bump at each end.
  • The jog wheel scrubs a timeline, with previous, play and next keys beside it.
  • Add one with Add a control in the editor. Each can be tested live from its settings.

Workflows

A workflow runs several steps from one key: open an app or a link, wait, press keys, run a Shortcut. The key shows each step as it runs (for example "2 of 3").

Create one with Add a control › Workflow, then add steps. If a step can't run, the workflow stops and tells you which step.

Profiles and automatic switching

A profile is a deck for an app. With automatic switching on (Settings › Profiles), the deck changes to the right profile when you switch apps on your Mac; Global is used for apps without their own.

  • New profile: Profiles › New profile, then pick a template, or create a deck from any Mac app's menu shortcuts.
  • Rename or delete: press and hold a profile in Profiles.
  • Templates work for any app, not just the one they were made for.

iPhone, iPhone Duo and iPad

The deck fits the screen it's on. On iPhone, turn it on its side for a wide deck. On the iPhone Duo, the outer display keeps your keys close and the inner display gives you the big deck. On iPad the keys fill the screen.

On the iPhone Duo and iPad, Settings › Appearance › Key size chooses Large (fewer, bigger keys) or Compact (more keys). Each device keeps its own decks and layouts.

Backup and restore

Each iPhone and iPad backs up its own profiles, pages, layouts and workflows to your iCloud a few seconds after you change something. Settings › Profiles › Backup shows the last backup and has Back up now.

After installing TouchDeck again, or on a new device, you'll be offered Restore your decks with a list of your devices' backups. Restoring copies those decks to this device; each device then keeps backing up separately.

Backups need iCloud to be signed in on the device.

Plans and purchases

  • Monthly starts with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers, then renews each month until you cancel.
  • Lifetime is one payment for every feature, for good.
  • Either one unlocks every iPhone and iPad on your Apple Account. The Mac app is free.
  • Restore purchases: Settings › Plan › Restore purchases.
  • Cancel or change: Settings › Plan › Manage, or Settings › Apple Account › Subscriptions on your device.
  • Refunds are handled by Apple at reportaproblem.apple.com.

Without an active plan, your decks stay on your device and you can view them, but keys don't reach your Mac until you choose a plan again.

Troubleshooting

My iPhone or iPad can't find my Mac

  • Make sure TouchDeck for Mac is open (look for it in the menu bar) and both are on the same Wi-Fi.
  • On your iPhone or iPad: Settings › Privacy & Security › Local Network › turn on TouchDeck.
  • Guest and some office networks block devices from seeing each other. Try your home network or a personal hotspot.

Keys don't do anything on my Mac

  • On the Mac: System Settings › Privacy & Security › Accessibility › turn on TouchDeck. If it's already on, turn it off and on again.
  • Check the shortcut in the app's own menus: some shortcuts only work when that app is in front.
  • If your plan has ended, keys show a lock; choose a plan or restore your purchase in Settings › Plan.

Media and volume keys don't work

These also need Accessibility on the Mac. Some apps handle play and pause themselves only while they're in front.

The deck doesn't switch with my apps

Check Settings › Profiles › Automatic switching. If you picked a profile yourself, tap the profile name and choose Back to automatic.

Still stuck?

Write to us from the support page. In the app, Settings › About › Export diagnostics gives a small file that helps (it holds no keys, names or deck contents).