Questions

What is MKC+?

MKC+ is a free beta app for using one mouse and keyboard across your Windows PCs, Apple silicon Macs, Linux machines and Android phones, tablets and TVs on the same local network. Move the pointer past the edge of one screen and it appears on the next device, and the keyboard follows it. No device is the server: the mouse and keyboard of any PC or Mac can control any other device. An Android phone or tablet can control the others too: double-tap a device in its MKC+ window to open the Remote, a trackpad with a keyboard, and a mouse and keyboard connected to a tablet cross to the next screen as a computer's do. An Android TV is controlled only.

Is it free?

Yes. MKC+ is a free beta: there is no paid version and no charge per device. It is not open source, and as a beta it comes as-is, without warranty.

Which systems does it work on?

Windows PCs (Intel or AMD, and ARM), Macs with Apple silicon, Linux PCs on Wayland (Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 12, Fedora 36 or newer), and Android phones, tablets and TVs (Android TV and Google TV) with Android 10 or later. Typing on an Android device from your keyboard needs Android 13 or later. It does not run on Intel Macs, or on a Linux desktop using X11.

Do I need an account or an internet connection?

No. MKC+ has no account, and nothing you type, copy or move goes through a server: your devices talk directly to each other on your local network. The internet is used only to download updates, which install automatically (Android asks you to confirm), and to send feedback when you choose to.

Is the connection encrypted?

Yes. You pair two devices by comparing a six-digit code on both screens. After that, the keystrokes, pointer movement, clipboard and files they send each other are encrypted and authenticated. MKC+ is a beta and has not had an independent security audit.

How do I set it up?

Install MKC+ on each device and open it. On a Mac, grant Input Monitoring and Accessibility (Device Control and Data Access on macOS 27 and later) when the window asks. On Android, turn on Accessibility for MKC+: its Permissions window shows the steps. On Linux, allow the two requests your desktop shows the first time: one to share the pointer and keyboard, one to let this machine be controlled. With both devices on the same network, the new device appears in the MKC+ window of the other one: press Pair there, then on the new device check that both screens show the same six-digit code and press Accept. Then drag the devices in the window so they match how they sit on your desk.

Does it work over Wi-Fi?

MKC+ works over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, a phone's USB tethering, or several at once. It tests every connection all the time, uses the best one, and switches by itself if one drops. Your devices need to be on the same local network. MKC+ never uses mobile data.

Which ports does MKC+ use?

UDP ports 47653 and 47654 and TCP port 47654, on your local network only. If a firewall blocks them, the MKC+ window says which device to fix.

Can I copy and paste between Windows, Mac and Android?

Yes. Copy on one device, move the pointer to another device, and paste. Between PCs and Macs, text, formatted text, images and PDFs cross, and so do files and folders, which you can also drag across. With an Android phone, tablet or TV, text and images cross both ways. To send files from it, share them to MKC+ and paste on a PC or Mac. A file copied on a PC or Mac shows on it in a notification with Save to Downloads. File copy is the newest part and still has limits in the beta.

What if the pointer gets stuck on another device?

Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Esc on the keyboard you are using (Command+Option+Shift+Esc on a Mac), and the pointer and keyboard come straight back to that device.

Why do Windows, macOS and Android show a warning when I install it?

The MKC+ installers are not signed with a commercial certificate, so Windows SmartScreen warns once (More info, then Run anyway), and on a Mac you approve the installer once under System Settings, Privacy & Security, Open Anyway. The Android app is an APK file from mkcplus.com, not from an app store, so Android asks you to allow installing from your browser or file app, and Google Play Protect may warn about an app it does not know. MKC+ needs Android's Accessibility permission to move the pointer and type; on Android 13 and later you first allow restricted settings for MKC+, and its Permissions window shows the steps. On Linux there is no warning: the .deb and the .rpm install as any package does, and an AppImage only has to be marked executable before it runs. This is expected during the beta. Download MKC+ only from mkcplus.com. After that, MKC+ updates itself and checks every update against its own signing key.

Does it collect any data?

MKC+ does not track you. No accounts, no IDs, no telemetry, no history. That's why your feedback is so precious and we'd love to hear from you.