You're on a walk and the idea arrives. You reach for your phone. The right tool turns the next twenty seconds into something your Mac inherits the moment you sit down.
The list below is five tools where the iPhone version actually carries weight. Most companion apps are quiet downgrades you put up with. These are not.
The stack:
iPhone MagSafe Camera Mount · the iPhone becomes the Mac's better camera
mymind · the visual idea that travels home from your pocket
Reference Board · the moodboard that's already waiting when you sit down
Craft · the note that exists on whichever device you happen to be holding
HiRise 3 Deluxe · where the iPhone actually lives when you're at your Mac
1. Turn the iPhone Into the Mac's Better Camera
The webcam built into your Mac does its job. The one in your pocket does it noticeably better. iPhone MagSafe Camera Mount clips the iPhone above your screen, Continuity Camera switches it on, and your video calls get real lens quality, real autofocus, and real low-light handling without any new software or new gear beyond the mount itself.
It is the kind of upgrade that costs almost nothing and changes how you show up. Worth it on the first call of the morning.
iPhone MagSafe Camera MountTransform your iPhone into a high-quality webcam.Visit WebsiteThe Belkin iPhone MagSafe Camera Mount is a hardware accessory that attaches an iPhone to a MacBook. This mount allows users to leverage the iPhone's rear camera for high-quality video calls and content creation. It is designed for individuals who frequently engage in virtual meetings or content production, providing a stable and hands-free solution that enhances the overall video experience.
- Compatible with multiple iPhone models and MacBook devices for seamless integration.
- Provides a hands-free setup for video calls and virtual meetings.
- Functions as a phone grip or kickstand for added versatility.
- Designed to enhance video quality by utilizing the iPhone's rear camera.
- Easily attaches to MacBook for quick setup and removal.
The Belkin iPhone MagSafe Camera Mount is designed for seamless integration with MacBook devices, allowing users to utilize their iPhone as a high-quality webcam. Its versatile design supports various functions, including video calls and content creation, enhancing the overall user experience.Visit Website
2. Capture On the Phone, Browse On the Mac
mymind is one of the few apps where the iPhone version is the front door and the Mac version is the living room. Snap a photo, save a tweet, copy a link, and it all lands in the same private place. By the time you sit down at your desk, the things you noticed on the train are already organised into the kind of mood you did not know you were building.
This is what an iPhone capture tool is meant to feel like. Two devices, one memory.
mymindA creatives best kept secret.Visit Websitemymind is YOUR PRIVATE place to keep everything you want to remember. Think of it as your digital garden, a peaceful place away from the noise to cultivate your inspiration, research and ideas. We’re a small & independent team that originally built mymind for ourselves. We were tired of feeling constantly distracted and overwhelmed with overly complicated tools that promised to help us stay organized. We just wanted something simple: one place to put everything, and one place to find it. We didn’t want to curate anything, manage folders or learn yet another system we would ultimately abandon. Which is why mymind asks nothing from you: NO social features NO vanity metrics NO algorithms NO social pressure NO collaboration NO manual organization NO noise
- Save anything with a single click: a bookmark, note, image, screenshot, website, article, video, highlight, quote, meme, product, song. Before, these little pieces of inspiration were forgotten or buried somewhere in your bookmarks or desktop or some complex platform. Now they're all in one place, where they may eventually connect and become useful later.
- All your inspiration and ideas are organized for you. Folders are dead. We believe manual organization is another distraction, a decoy for productivity that pulls you from what you want to do. You may not even know why you're saving something in the moment, meaning it could fit in many folders or no folder at all. Your mind understands this, revealing meaning and allowing you to make connections between what you've saved. You don't have to stop to analyze or organize anything you save. Your new mind magically categorizes, analyzes, summarizes and tags it for you, so you can just search whatever you remember to find it later. No going back to clear a queue or manage your folders. You're constantly moving forward.
- Most importantly, your mind is 100% private. No one can see what you've saved. There's no social feed or collaboration features to distract you. No ads interrupting your focus. When you have an audience watching, you operate differently. You restrain yourself in an attempt to curate a vibe, stay on trend or be accepted. Who are you when no one's watching? When can you save anything or explore any idea without fear of how it's being perceived?
- It’s your secret creative repertoire and private garden of inspiration. Every great mind has one, a central place to collect all the little things that make you stop and think or feel something. Think of it like a garden: You're enriching the soil, planting and watering seeds you trust will bloom into something bigger later. Your mind is meant to grow through all your interests and creative phases. It continues to evolve with you.
- We believe beauty is a function. We do everything we can to make your mind as beautiful and distraction-free as possible, stripping out the clunky features and filters you find in typical organization tools. If it works well, you don't think about it. It's a tool in the true sense of the word: there when you need it, and out of the way when you don't. We call it personal software.- Save everything that matters to you effortlessly.
For too long, we've been serving algorithms and tools, passively scrolling and reacting and engaging and performing and curating and brain rotting. Unlike most of the internet, mymind gives back to you rather than draining you. It's an external way to feed the beauty and depth and meaning we need internally. Your mental bank of inspiration to feed your real mind.Visit Website
3. Photograph Inspiration, Arrange It On the Desktop
Reference scattered across photo rolls and screenshot folders is reference you have lost. Reference Board lets you shoot inspiration with your phone, drop it into a board, and watch it appear on your Mac in the layout you want it. The iPhone is the camera. The Mac is the canvas.
For anyone who works visually, this is the cleanest version of the photo-to-pinboard loop you can run. Inspiration captured on Tuesday is already a mood by Friday.
Reference BoardLet your inspiration ripple.Visit WebsiteReference Board is a moodboard application available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It allows users to collect, organize, and sync visual inspiration across their devices. With features like automatic organization, powerful search capabilities, and support for various media types, Reference Board helps creatives streamline their workflow and maintain a cohesive collection of ideas.
- Create multiple moodboards on an infinite canvas, allowing for unrestricted creativity and exploration.
- Utilize powerful search capabilities, including color, style, scene, and text, with optical character recognition (OCR) for text within images.
- Automatically generate tags and descriptions for saved references, ensuring organized and structured libraries.
- Support various media types, including images, videos, quotes, and sticky notes, to consolidate all forms of inspiration in one space.
- Sync moodboards seamlessly across iPhone, iPad, and Mac using iCloud for a cohesive experience.
Reference syncs user data across Apple devices via iCloud, ensuring privacy by not tracking user activity or selling data. This approach allows for a seamless and secure experience while managing and organizing creative inspirations across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.Visit Website
4. The Note That Exists Wherever You Happen to Be
Most cross-device note apps make you pick a side: phone-shaped or computer-shaped. Craft refuses the choice. The same document opens with the right tools for the device in your hand, fingers on the iPhone, keyboard and pointer on the Mac, and nothing gets lost in the round trip.
Use it for the morning note, the meeting note, the page you swore you would come back to. Both versions are good. Both being good is what makes the daily loop fast.
CraftYour space for notes, tasks, and big ideasVisit WebsiteCraft is a software platform designed for organizing notes, tasks, and documents. It enables users to capture and connect their ideas seamlessly across devices, transforming quick notes into well-structured documents. With features like templates, writing tools, and API integrations, Craft supports a variety of users, including creators, educators, and professionals, enhancing their productivity a
- Whether it's documents, tasks, calendars, or daily notes, Craft allows you to organize and enhance your work with the power of interconnected spaces.
- Capture ideas instantly across all your devices and transform quick notes into beautifully crafted documents.
- With a variety of templates, writing tools, and API integrations, Craft adapts to how you think and work, making it an ideal tool for creators, educators, and professionals alike.
Craft provides a versatile platform for organizing notes, tasks, and documents across devices. With features like templates, writing tools, and API integrations, it supports various workflows for creators, educators, and professionals. Its interconnected spaces enhance productivity and idea management.Visit Website
5. Give the iPhone a Place to Live on the Mac Desk
The iPhone is going to be on your desk regardless. HiRise 3 Deluxe gives it a proper place to live: upright, charging, glanceable, close enough to the Mac that Continuity feels like one machine instead of two.
Without a stand, the phone migrates around the desk and ends up in the wrong pocket. With one, it stays exactly where you would put it if you cared about the setup. Quietly, you start caring.
HiRise 3 DeluxeWireless Charging Stand for Apple DevicesVisit WebsiteThe Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe is the ultimate solution for charging your Apple devices. This elegant, compact charging station allows you to simultaneously charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, helping you eliminate clutter on your desk or nightstand. The 15W MagSafe Charger features an adjustable angle for optimal viewing and is designed with vegan leather for a sophisticated touch. Along with fast charging for your Apple Watch, it also offers versatility with a third charging spot. With international plug adapters included, the HiRise 3 Deluxe is travel-ready, making it perfect for use anywhere in the world. Its space-saving design fits well in any small area, creating an organized and stylish charging solution for all your Apple devices.Visit Website
The iPhone has always been a second screen. These five make that deal explicit, and the Mac feels twice as big once they do.
Cooldock brings music, todos, events, weather, search, stats, quick actions, and more useful widgets into one beautiful live dock beside your original Mac Dock.
- Integrates live widgets for music, weather, todos, and events into a customizable second Dock.
- Provides quick access to favorite apps, folders, and system stats from a compact interface.
- Supports reminders and calendar events for efficient task management.
- Allows for real-time monitoring of system performance, including CPU and RAM usage.
- Features quick actions for toggling settings like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth directly from the Dock.
Add live widgets, quick actions, apps, folders, search, stats, weather, calendars, reminders, and more into a beautiful second Dock beside your original Mac Dock. This app provides a seamless way to enhance your productivity and streamline everyday tasks with easily accessible widgets.
SoftwaremacOS
DeskMinder
For Easily Distracted Minds
Freemium
DeskMinder is a productivity software application designed for Mac users who struggle with distractions. It provides a straightforward interface for creating desktop pop-up reminders and tasks, helping users manage urgent to-dos, short breaks, and fleeting ideas. With features like full-screen notifications and Apple Reminders integration, DeskMinder aims to enhance focus and time management for i
- With features like easy-to-create desktop pop-ups for reminders and tasks, it simplifies the process of staying on top of urgent to-dos, short breaks, or fleeting ideas.
- Users can benefit from full-screen notifications, Apple Reminders integration, and flexible widget placement, making it ideal for anyone requiring a little extra help to maintain focus.
- The app includes additional shortcuts for quick reminder setups and customizable widget options, along with a history tracking feature to monitor daily progress.
Designed specifically for Mac users, DeskMinder aims to facilitate better time management and productivity for those with attention challenges, providing a seamless user experience without unnecessary complexity.
SoftwareProductivitymacOS
Klack
Satisfying sound with every keystroke
Paid
Klack is a macOS application designed to enhance the typing experience through high-fidelity sound for each keystroke. It provides features such as immersive spatial audio, instant feedback, and customizable sound options, making it suitable for writers, developers, and anyone who values an engaging typing environment. The app is easily accessible from the menubar and offers extensive configuratio
- Provides immersive spatial audio for enhanced typing feedback.
- Allows customization of keystroke sounds, pitch variations, and volume settings.
- Features a menubar interface for quick access to configuration options.
- Supports instant feedback with each keystroke for a more engaging experience.
- Designed for writers and developers seeking auditory feedback while typing.
Klack enhances the typing experience on Mac by providing high-fidelity sound for each keystroke.
SoftwaremacOS
TypoTab
TypoTab, the ultimate AI writing assistant for
Paid
TypoTab is a macOS application that functions as an AI-driven writing assistant. It enhances writing efficiency by providing tools for grammar correction, text rephrasing, and content generation, all accessible from the menu bar without needing to switch applications. This tool is designed for writers, students, and professionals looking to streamline their writing process and improve productivity
- Provides grammar correction and text rephrasing directly from the menu bar.
- Allows text refinement in any application without switching contexts.
- Offers customizable actions to meet individual writing needs.
- Streamlines repetitive writing tasks for improved efficiency.
- Supports a wide range of applications, enhancing workflow across platforms.
TypoTab is a macOS application that enhances writing efficiency by providing grammar correction, text rephrasing, and content generation directly from the menu bar. It allows users to refine text in any application without switching contexts, offering customizable actions to suit individual writing needs.
SoftwareWritingmacOS
Opal C1 Camera
DSLR quality on a webcam for the
HardwareUtilitiesmacOS
Wallspace
Live wallpapers for your Mac
Freemium
Wallspace is a Mac application that provides live and dynamic desktop wallpapers. Users can browse a selection of animated backgrounds and apply them to their desktops, enhancing their workspace with motion and visual themes. This tool is designed for individuals seeking to replace traditional static wallpapers with more engaging and visually appealing options.
- Browse a library of animated wallpapers to customize your desktop.
- Apply live wallpapers that update dynamically based on time or events.
- Easily switch between different visual themes to refresh your workspace.
- Supports multiple monitor setups for a cohesive visual experience.
- Simple installation and user-friendly interface for quick setup.
Wallspace offers a practical solution for users looking to enhance their Mac desktop experience with dynamic wallpapers. By providing a variety of animated backgrounds that can change based on time or events, it allows for a personalized and visually stimulating workspace.
SoftwareUtilitiesmacOS
VoiceOS
Voice assistant to control your Mac
Freemium
VoiceOS is an AI voice assistant software designed for Mac and Windows. It enables users to dictate text, send messages, search the web, and automate application actions using voice commands. This tool is particularly beneficial for individuals seeking hands-free control and improved efficiency in their daily desktop tasks.
- Dictate text and documents using voice commands for hands-free writing.
- Send messages and emails through voice activation without manual input.
- Perform web searches and retrieve information using voice queries.
- Automate repetitive tasks and app actions with customizable voice commands.
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems for versatile use.
VoiceOS provides a practical solution for users looking to enhance productivity through voice commands. By facilitating hands-free text dictation, message sending, and web searches, it streamlines daily tasks. Its ability to automate repetitive actions further supports efficiency, making it a valuable tool for both Mac and Windows users seeking to optimize their workflow.
SoftwareProductivitymacOS
Sketch
Design and prototype user interfaces
Paid
Sketch is a design platform for Mac that focuses on creating vector user interfaces. It enables designers to build interactive prototypes, collaborate with team members, and efficiently hand off assets to developers. With features like symbols, libraries, and a robust plugin ecosystem, Sketch supports the entire design process from initial exploration to production-ready specifications.
- Create vector-based user interfaces with precision using a comprehensive set of design tools.
- Build interactive prototypes to visualize user flows and gather feedback early in the design process.
- Collaborate in real-time with team members through shared documents and version control.
- Utilize symbols and libraries for consistent design elements across projects, enhancing efficiency.
- Export assets in various formats for seamless handoff to developers, streamlining the production workflow.
- Integrate with a wide range of plugins to extend functionality and customize the design process.
Sketch is designed for Mac users who need a comprehensive tool for vector-based user interface design. Its features facilitate collaboration and streamline the workflow from concept to production.
SoftwareDesignmacOS
Screen Charm
Polished screen recordings for Mac
Freemium
Screen Charm is a screen recording software for Mac that enables users to create clear and polished videos. It features smart zoom, camera and microphone capture, system audio recording, 4K export, and the ability to generate sharable links. This tool is designed for founders, developers, course creators, and SaaS teams who need to produce demos and instructional content efficiently.
- Records high-quality screen videos with 4K export capability.
- Captures system audio, microphone input, and webcam footage simultaneously.
- Features smart zoom for focused video presentations.
- Generates sharable links for easy distribution of recorded content.
- Streamlines video creation for demos, tutorials, and presentations.
Screen Charm provides a comprehensive solution for users needing to create high-quality screen recordings on Mac. Its features cater specifically to professionals in various fields, allowing for efficient production of instructional and promotional content.
SoftwareCreativemacOS
New additions
Wallspace
Live wallpapers for your Mac
Freemium
Wallspace is a Mac application that provides live and dynamic desktop wallpapers. Users can browse a selection of animated backgrounds and apply them to their desktops, enhancing their workspace with motion and visual themes. This tool is designed for individuals seeking to replace traditional static wallpapers with more engaging and visually appealing options.
- Browse a library of animated wallpapers to customize your desktop.
- Apply live wallpapers that update dynamically based on time or events.
- Easily switch between different visual themes to refresh your workspace.
- Supports multiple monitor setups for a cohesive visual experience.
- Simple installation and user-friendly interface for quick setup.
Wallspace offers a practical solution for users looking to enhance their Mac desktop experience with dynamic wallpapers. By providing a variety of animated backgrounds that can change based on time or events, it allows for a personalized and visually stimulating workspace.
SoftwareUtilitiesmacOS
VoiceOS
Voice assistant to control your Mac
Freemium
VoiceOS is an AI voice assistant software designed for Mac and Windows. It enables users to dictate text, send messages, search the web, and automate application actions using voice commands. This tool is particularly beneficial for individuals seeking hands-free control and improved efficiency in their daily desktop tasks.
- Dictate text and documents using voice commands for hands-free writing.
- Send messages and emails through voice activation without manual input.
- Perform web searches and retrieve information using voice queries.
- Automate repetitive tasks and app actions with customizable voice commands.
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems for versatile use.
VoiceOS provides a practical solution for users looking to enhance productivity through voice commands. By facilitating hands-free text dictation, message sending, and web searches, it streamlines daily tasks. Its ability to automate repetitive actions further supports efficiency, making it a valuable tool for both Mac and Windows users seeking to optimize their workflow.
SoftwareProductivitymacOS
Sketch
Design and prototype user interfaces
Paid
Sketch is a design platform for Mac that focuses on creating vector user interfaces. It enables designers to build interactive prototypes, collaborate with team members, and efficiently hand off assets to developers. With features like symbols, libraries, and a robust plugin ecosystem, Sketch supports the entire design process from initial exploration to production-ready specifications.
- Create vector-based user interfaces with precision using a comprehensive set of design tools.
- Build interactive prototypes to visualize user flows and gather feedback early in the design process.
- Collaborate in real-time with team members through shared documents and version control.
- Utilize symbols and libraries for consistent design elements across projects, enhancing efficiency.
- Export assets in various formats for seamless handoff to developers, streamlining the production workflow.
- Integrate with a wide range of plugins to extend functionality and customize the design process.
Sketch is designed for Mac users who need a comprehensive tool for vector-based user interface design. Its features facilitate collaboration and streamline the workflow from concept to production.
SoftwareDesignmacOS
Screen Charm
Polished screen recordings for Mac
Freemium
Screen Charm is a screen recording software for Mac that enables users to create clear and polished videos. It features smart zoom, camera and microphone capture, system audio recording, 4K export, and the ability to generate sharable links. This tool is designed for founders, developers, course creators, and SaaS teams who need to produce demos and instructional content efficiently.
- Records high-quality screen videos with 4K export capability.
- Captures system audio, microphone input, and webcam footage simultaneously.
- Features smart zoom for focused video presentations.
- Generates sharable links for easy distribution of recorded content.
- Streamlines video creation for demos, tutorials, and presentations.
Screen Charm provides a comprehensive solution for users needing to create high-quality screen recordings on Mac. Its features cater specifically to professionals in various fields, allowing for efficient production of instructional and promotional content.
SoftwareCreativemacOS
Obsidian
Private markdown notes and knowledge
Free
Obsidian is a markdown note-taking software designed for creating a private knowledge base on Mac. It stores notes as local plain-text files, allows users to visualize connections through a graph view, and supports various plugins and themes. This tool is beneficial for writers, researchers, and students who need to organize and connect their ideas without relying on cloud storage.
- Stores notes locally as plain-text files for easy access and backup.
- Allows linking of notes to visualize relationships in a graph view.
- Supports a variety of plugins to extend functionality and customize workflows.
- Offers theming options for personalized note-taking environments.
- Facilitates markdown formatting for structured and organized content creation.
Obsidian provides a robust platform for users seeking to manage their notes and ideas effectively. Its local storage ensures data privacy, while features like graph visualization and plugin support enhance the organization and connectivity of information. This makes it a suitable choice for individuals who prioritize structured note-taking and customization in their workflow.
SoftwaremacOS
Notion
All-in-one workspace for notes
Free
Notion is a software platform that serves as an all-in-one workspace for notes, documents, tasks, and databases. It is designed for both teams and individuals, enabling them to write, plan projects, build wikis, and track work using tables and boards. Users can collaborate in real time with customizable pages and templates, streamlining their workflow and enhancing productivity.
- Create and organize notes, documents, and tasks in a single workspace.
- Utilize customizable templates for project planning and documentation.
- Collaborate in real time with team members on shared pages.
- Track work progress using tables, boards, and kanban views.
- Integrate with other tools and services for streamlined workflows.
Notion provides a versatile solution for individuals and teams looking to enhance their productivity and organization. By centralizing notes, tasks, and project management, it facilitates effective collaboration and workflow management. Users can tailor their workspace to meet specific needs, making it suitable for various applications, from personal planning to team projects.
SoftwaremacOS
Mux
Automatic priority network switching
One-time
Mux is a macOS utility that manages network connections by automatically selecting the highest-priority option available. It allows users to customize priority settings for Ethernet, Thunderbolt Bridge, USB tethering, and Wi-Fi.
- Monitors and switches between Ethernet, Thunderbolt Bridge, USB tethering, and Wi-Fi based on priority.
- Allows users to set custom priority orders for network connections.
- Provides options to add delays for unstable network links.
- Enables temporary overrides from the menu bar for immediate network changes.
- Displays detailed information for each network service for better management.
Mux is designed for users who require efficient network management on macOS. By automating the selection of the highest-priority network connection and allowing for customizable settings, it enhances connectivity reliability.
SoftwareUtilitiesmacOS
Mole
Storage cleanup and optimization utility
Freemium
Mole is a native macOS storage management utility designed to analyze, clean, and optimize disk space. It consolidates essential tools for managing storage, allowing users to analyze disk usage, remove junk files, completely uninstall applications, find duplicates, and organize their storage efficiently.
- Analyze disk usage to identify large files and folders consuming space.
- Remove junk files to free up storage and improve system performance.
- Completely uninstall applications, including all associated files and data.
- Find and eliminate duplicate files to streamline storage.
- Organize files and folders for easier access and management.
Mole provides a comprehensive solution for macOS users looking to manage their storage effectively. By utilizing its features, users can gain insights into disk usage, eliminate unnecessary files, and maintain an organized file system. This utility is particularly beneficial for those seeking to optimize their device's performance and ensure efficient use of available disk space.
SoftwareUtilitiesmacOS
Glaze
Build personal Mac apps with AI
Freemium
Glaze is a software tool that enables users to create personal Mac applications through AI interaction. It allows apps to run locally on the user's machine, integrating with files and system tools. These applications can be shared with teams or made publicly available, catering to individuals looking to develop customized software that aligns with their specific workflows.
- Create custom Mac applications through an AI chat interface.
- Run applications locally on your Mac without requiring an internet connection.
- Integrate seamlessly with local files and system tools for enhanced functionality.
- Share applications with team members or publish them for public use.
- Tailor software to fit specific workflows and preferences.
Glaze provides a practical solution for users seeking to develop personalized Mac applications tailored to their unique needs. By leveraging AI, it simplifies the app creation process while ensuring that applications can operate offline and integrate with existing system tools.
Dudu
