Phone Remote for PowerPoint on a Mac

How PowerPoint for Mac receives the slide keys

On a Mac the PowerPoint command is Slide Show > Play from Start (on Windows it is From Beginning). PresentSync sends the same slide keys as a keyboard, so Next and Prev go to the app that is active: if you switch to another app during the talk, bring the PowerPoint slideshow back to the front.

The pointer, highlight and lines are drawn on the Mac's screen, so they appear on every display connected to the Mac; nothing is saved into your PowerPoint file.

What macOS needs

macOS 13 or later, Apple silicon or Intel. Download the DMG (recommended, notarized by Apple) or the ZIP from the PresentSync download page, drag PresentSync to Applications and open it from there.
Accessibility permission. PresentSync sends slide keys to PowerPoint like a keyboard, so macOS can ask you to allow it in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility. The desktop app explains this permission the first time you use slide control.
Incoming connections. If macOS asks whether PresentSync may accept incoming connections, choose Allow: the phone reaches the Mac over the local network.

Set it up in 3 steps

Install both apps. Get PresentSync for iPhone or Android and sign in. On the Mac, open the DMG, drag PresentSync to Applications, open it and scan its sign-in QR code with the phone.
Join and allow. Click Start meeting, scan the meeting QR code with the phone, and allow Accessibility and incoming connections if macOS asks.
Present. In PowerPoint choose Slide Show > Play from Start, then tap Next or Prev and swipe to point.

What Mac presenters should know

The phone shows no speaker notes or slide previews and does not mirror the Mac.
Keynote on the same Mac works too, with the same Accessibility permission: see the Keynote remote guide.
On Zoom or Teams, share the whole display that shows the slideshow; sharing only the PowerPoint window may leave the pointer out.

If PowerPoint on the Mac does not respond

Connected, but the slides do not change. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility and check that PresentSync is allowed; then check that the slideshow is playing and in front.
The phone cannot connect. Put the phone and the Mac on the same Wi-Fi or wired network, turn off any VPN or proxy on the phone, and check that the Mac's firewall allows PresentSync.
The phone left the meeting. Scan the meeting QR code again.

Presenting from a Windows PC instead: PowerPoint on Windows with a phone remote. All apps and computers: which presentation apps work with PresentSync. Pointer, highlight and drawing: PowerPoint laser pointer guide.

Common questions

Where is the Accessibility setting for PresentSync on a Mac?

In System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility. Allow PresentSync there so it can send slide keys to PowerPoint.

Does it work on Apple silicon and Intel Macs?

Yes. The PresentSync desktop app runs on macOS 13 or later, on Apple silicon and on Intel.

Which PowerPoint menu starts the slideshow on a Mac?

Slide Show > Play from Start. Next and Prev act like the arrow keys, so the slideshow must be playing and in front.

Can I use an Android phone with PowerPoint on a Mac?

Yes. The Android and iPhone apps have the same controls, and either one works with the desktop app on the Mac.

Last updated 2026-11-15

Use your phone as a remote for PowerPoint on a Mac