Universal Remote Android App
Android Tablet Remote Control App
Mac Mini Remote App Android Phone

Dec 14, 2015 I have a mini set up as a home server. I access it using an app called TeamViewer from my iPad (and iPhone and Android phone) with no issue. When I set this up, it was the first app I came across that was free, so I went with it. I'm sure others have different (and probably better) suggestions.

Uniquely Android is a series we started that shines the spotlight on those apps that take advantage of the unique capabilities of the platform and provide an experience that you wouldn’t find in most other phones. Previously, we have featured Plug In Launcher, AirDroid, Shush, Llama, Swiftkey 3, SwipePad, Widgetsoid2.x, Unified Remote, AirCalc, WiFi Keyboard, Puzzle Alarm Clock and Notif.

Universal Remote Android App

Mac Remote for Android allows you to remotely control your Mac with your Android device. It uses Wi-Fi connectivity and is extremely easy to use, only requiring that you know your Mac's IP addres which logs you into the app. As of this writing, Mac Remote currently supports the following media players.
Take control of Audirvana with your smartphone or tablet with the Audirvana Remote app. Download the Android version for free from the Play Store and the iOS version on the App Store. Audirvana Remote allows you to browse all music libraries accessible from the application, create, rename and reorganize Playlists, fine-tune the volume level, select the output audio device, and much more.

What is so unique about Mac Remote?

I love my Macbook, and I honestly cannot imagine switching my computing OS of choice. However, I often looked on from the sidelines as several developers built some great little tools that allowed Android and Windows to work well in tandem. The perfect example is Unified Remote, which I have previously covered in the Uniquely Android series. If you go through the comments from that post, you’ll notice a few others, like me, who wished there was an alternative for us Mac users.

Until recently, I wasn’t aware of any, and I had pretty much lost all hope of ever finding one. But, as fate would have it, I stumbled across Mac Remote deep inside the archives of Reddit’s /r/androidapps. Once installed, I just needed to setup the connection from my Macbook’s System Preferences and connect over my WiFi network. No software was required on the laptop itself.

Within a few minutes, I had the power to control a bunch of apps on my Macbook via my phone, including iTunes, VLC, Keynote, Powerpoint, Quick Time and Spotify. I also gained access to some system settings, such as volume, brightness, shutting down the laptop and putting it to sleep. The range isn’t anywhere near Unified Remote’s, but it is a lot better than nothing.

How does it work?

The setup itself is extremely easy, and demonstrated via a tutorial. All a user needs to do is enable Remote Login inside the Sharing System Preference, and then connect to the Macbook from within the app using the laptop’s Username/Password credentials and IP address. After that, just choose the app to control from the sliding menu within Mac Remote.

Any cons?

Android Tablet Remote Control App

The list of apps supported is quite limited, and there is no way to add custom commands. My biggest disappointment is Chrome, since I spend quite some time watching YouTube videos and also using Impress.js for my presentations at work. The UI isn’t the most inspiring either, but it isn’t too cluttered and definitely gets the job done.

Mac Mini Remote App Android Phone

Overall, Mac Remote is a must have app for those of us who have an Android device and a Mac because of the functionality on offer, even if it is just for VLC. You can download Mac Remote via this link.