PresentSyncWhat you need
- The PresentSync phone app for iPhone or Android.
- The PresentSync desktop app on a Windows computer (Windows 10 64-bit or later) or a Mac (macOS 13 or later), from the download page.
- The phone and the computer on the same local network: the same Wi-Fi, or the same wired network.
- A PresentSync account. Your first hosted meeting starts a 7-day trial; after that the free tier keeps 1 meeting, 5 connected devices and 30 minutes of hosting per day. See plans.
Set it up in four steps
- Install the PresentSync phone app and register or sign in.
- Install the desktop app on the computer that runs the slides, open it and scan its QR code with your phone to approve the sign-in.
- Start a meeting on the computer and scan the meeting QR code with your phone to join.
- Start the slideshow on the computer, then tap Next or Prev on your phone.
Better than a laser dot
- Visible on every screen: the pointer is drawn by the computer, so it appears on the projector, TV, LED wall or monitor connected to it, including screens where a laser dot is hard to see.
- More than a dot: double-tap for a ripple on the spot you are talking about, or long-press to draw a short line that fades after a few seconds.
- One pointer per person: several presenters join from their own phones, each with their own pointer color.
- Nothing extra to carry: no laser pointer, no clicker, no USB receiver and no batteries.
What your phone can do
- Change slides: large Prev and Next buttons under your thumb.
- Point: swipe on the phone to move a cursor on the computer screen, and on any projector or display connected to it.
- Highlight: double-tap to show a ripple on the spot you are talking about.
- Draw: long-press to draw a short line that fades after a few seconds.
- Several presenters: each participant joins with their own phone and gets their own cursor color, up to 5 devices per meeting (10 on Pro).
Works with your slideshow software
| Software | Computer | How to start the slideshow |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Windows, Mac | Windows: Slide Show > From Beginning. Mac: Slide Show > Play from Start. See PowerPoint laser pointer. |
| Google Slides | Windows, Mac (in the browser) | Slideshow / Present. See Google Slides remote. |
| Keynote | Mac | Play > Play Slideshow. See Keynote remote. |
| WPS Office Presentation | Windows, Mac | Slide Show > From Beginning. See WPS Presentation remote. |
| PDF presentations | Windows, Mac | Open the PDF full screen in a viewer that turns pages with the arrow keys. See PDF presentation remote. |
PresentSync sends the same slide keys as a keyboard, so slideshow software that advances with the keyboard works. The cursor, highlight and lines are drawn on the computer screen; PresentSync is not a laser pointer.
Phone or laser pointer clicker?
| PresentSync on your phone | Laser pointer or clicker | |
|---|---|---|
| Pointing | Pointer, highlight and drawing drawn on the screen itself, on any display connected to the computer | A laser dot, which can be hard to see on TVs, LED walls and monitors |
| Extra hardware | None: the phone you already carry | The pointer or clicker, often with a USB receiver |
| Setup | Install the desktop app once; scan to join | Plug in the receiver or pair over Bluetooth |
| Several presenters | Each person uses their own phone, each with a cursor color | One clicker passed around |
| Needs | Same local network as the computer, the desktop app, a PresentSync account | Batteries; works without a network |
PresentSync does not emit a laser: the pointer is drawn on the computer screen, so it appears wherever that screen is shown. If you present where you cannot install software on the computer, or there is no shared network, a hardware pointer is the simpler choice.
More guides
- Presenting on Zoom, Teams or Google Meet: change slides and point from your phone while you share your screen.
- Presenting with others: several people point at the same slides from their own phones.
Common questions
Is PresentSync free?
Yes, with limits. Your first hosted meeting starts a 7-day trial; after it ends the free tier keeps 1 meeting, 5 connected devices and 30 minutes of hosting per day. Personal removes the daily time limit and Pro allows 10 devices and 2 meetings. Subscriptions are bought in the phone app through the App Store or Google Play.
Does the phone mirror my computer screen?
No. The phone works as a remote, not a second screen. The presentation stays on your computer screen or on the projector or display connected to it.
Do the phone and computer need the same Wi-Fi?
Yes. The phone and the host computer must be on the same local network (the same Wi-Fi or the same wired network). If they do not connect, check that the computer's firewall allows PresentSync and turn off any VPN or proxy on the phone.
Does it work with an iPhone and a Windows PC?
Yes. The iPhone and Android apps have the same controls, and either one works with the desktop app on Windows or Mac.
Can I use it if I cannot install software on the presentation computer?
No. PresentSync needs its desktop app installed on the Windows PC or Mac that shows the slides: the desktop app draws the pointer on the screen and sends the slide keys. On a locked shared computer, ask its administrator to install it first, or present from your own computer.
Can people on Zoom or Teams see the pointer and lines when I share my screen?
Yes, when you share the screen that shows the slideshow. PresentSync draws the pointer, highlights and lines on the computer screen, so they are part of the shared picture in Zoom, Teams or Google Meet and people who join online see them too. Sharing only one window may leave them out.
Can I see my speaker notes on the phone?
No. The phone works as the pointer and the remote; speaker notes and slide previews are not shown on the phone.
Last updated 2026-11-15