🖱️ Mouse, Keyboard & Clipboard Sharing (DeskFlow Guide)

This module guides you on how to set up DeskFlow to control two computers with one set of keyboard and mouse, and share the clipboard seamlessly.

1. Preparation

• Network: Ensure both computers are connected to the same LAN (5G WiFi or wired connection is recommended to reduce Latency).
• Device Roles:
  • Server (Host): Mac (Physical keyboard and mouse connected here; acts as the primary controller).
  • Client (Guest): Windows PC (The device being controlled).

---

2. Download & Installation

🍎 macOS Installation (Server)

We provide two installation methods. Homebrew is recommended. If you are not comfortable with the command line, please use Manual Installation.

Method A: Using Homebrew (Recommended)

Automatically manages dependencies; no manual permission fix needed.

# 1. Add official tap
brew tap deskflow/homebrew-tap

# 2. Install DeskFlow
brew install deskflow

Method B: Manual Download (GitHub Releases)

If you don't have Homebrew, please follow these steps:

1. Download DMG File:
   • Visit the Releases page: https://github.com/deskflow/deskflow/releases
   • Find the latest version (e.g., v1.17.x or higher).
   • Select based on your chip:
     • M1/M2/M3/M4 etc. (Apple Silicon): Download ...-macos-arm64.dmg
     • Intel Chip: Download ...-macos-x86_64.dmg
2. Install:
   • Open the .dmg file and drag DeskFlow.app into the "Applications" folder.
3. Critical Step: Fix "App is Damaged" Error 🛠️
   • Since open-source software lacks a paid Apple signature, opening it directly usually triggers a "cannot be opened" or "move to bin" error.
   • Don't panic, execute the following fix command:
   • Open Terminal, copy the following command and press Enter (you may need to enter your login password; it is normal that the password is invisible while typing):

     sudo xattr -cr /Applications/DeskFlow.app

   Tip: If you are unsure of the installation path, type sudo xattr -cr (note the space at the end), then drag the DeskFlow icon from "Applications" directly into the terminal window, and the path will generate automatically.

---

🪟 Windows Installation (Client)

1. Download Installer:
   • Also visit the Releases page: https://github.com/deskflow/deskflow/releases
   • Find the latest version.
   • Download the file ending in .msi (e.g., deskflow-v1.x.x-windows-x86_64.msi).
2. Install:
   • Double-click to run the .msi file.
   • Click Next until installation is complete.
   • (If prompted that the Bonjour service is missing, it is recommended to install it. It helps with automatic device discovery, though it is not strictly required).

---

3. Critical Permissions (macOS Required) 🛡️

After installation, DeskFlow must obtain macOS system-level permissions to control the mouse.

1. Open DeskFlow. The system will prompt for permissions (if not, go to Settings manually).
2. Go to System Settings -> Privacy & Security.
3. Enable the following two permissions:
   • Accessibility -> Find DeskFlow and toggle it ON.
   • Input Monitoring -> Find DeskFlow and toggle it ON.
4. Restart the App: After enabling permissions, you must completely quit DeskFlow (Cmd+Q) and reopen it for changes to take effect.

---

4. Interconnection Configuration Guide

Step 1: Mac Setup (Server - Host)

1. Open DeskFlow.
2. In the Server Configuration area, check Use this computer's mouse and keyboard.
3. Click the Configure Server... button to enter the layout interface.
4. Configure Screen Layout:
   • You will see an icon in the center of the grid (representing your Mac).
   • Drag a monitor icon from the top right into the grid (place it to the left or right of the Mac, depending on your Windows monitor's actual position).
5. ⚠️ Critical Step: Modify Screen Name
   • Double-click the newly dragged icon (representing Windows).
   • In Screen Name, enter a name using pure English characters (e.g., win-client).
   • Warning: The default name might be "Unnamed" or contain Chinese/Special characters. This will cause a DeskFlow startup error (invalid character). Be sure to change it to English!
6. Click OK to save.

Step 2: Windows Setup (Client - Guest)

1. Open DeskFlow.
2. In the Client Configuration area, check Use another computer's mouse and keyboard.
3. Screen Name: Enter the name you just set on the Mac (e.g., win-client). Must match exactly!
4. Server IP: Enter the IP address shown on the Mac interface (e.g., 192.168.1.5).
   • Note: If Mac shows multiple IPs, it's usually the one starting with 192.168.x.x.
5. Click Start.

Step 3: Start Connection

1. Back to Mac, click Start.
2. A system fingerprint/password confirmation may pop up on the Mac screen; click "Allow".
3. Verify: Try moving the mouse off the edge of the Mac screen. The cursor should magically "fly" onto the Windows screen!

---

➡️ Next Step

After successfully connecting, you may find Windows shortcuts (like copy/paste) awkward, or F1 keys not working.

Please proceed to the next section: ⌨️ Key Mapping Configuration