I'm trying to use VNC/RDP/WEB apps with an external monitor connected via USB-C, but can't get keyboard/mouse to work on the external display. Is this possible, or does iPhone not support this like iPad Pro does?
What does Pro stand for?
Professional?
Productive?
Product?
iPhone 17 Pro, iOS 26
Hi @Pat-r-i-c-k,
I have been a bit frustrated with something similar to this also.
My work has USB-C displays with a keyboard and mouse attached via the display's built-in hub.
If I connect my iPhone to the display, I get full resolution display and keyboard support in both Windows App (Remote Desktop) and the Citrix Workspace App.
However, the mouse functionality is not enabled on the external display, even with AssistiveTouch enabled (i.e. It only moves the AssistiveTouch dot around the iPhone display).
According to Citrix documentation, this is only the case for iOS, and works on iPadOS natively:
As best I can surmise, Apple is attempting to avoid canibalising their profits through device sales, by not enabling this funcitonality on iOS.
e.g. I would not need a MacBook or iPad for my work if my iPhone provided this capability.
Very frustrating!
If I could carry only my iPhone to and from work, I would be very happy.
As it currently stands, I have to lug around a laptop or iPad just to remote into the servers that I do my work from every day...
Thanks Apple! (sarcasm)
Edit:
Note that I can use my iPhone with the Citrix Workspace App, as long as I use my phone as the trackpad, and that's a pretty horrible experience, as you cannot adjust sensitivity sufficiently.
The external monitor is working perfectly.
The issue is the apple device preventing the input from being on the external display.
I wrote a javascript keyboard pass through to allow most keys to be passed to the screen but that's a poor implementation.
I also wrote a mouse simulator, controlled on the device screen, to control a cursor on the external screen as a proof of concept.
The iPad supports this functionality natively; but that device doesn't fit in my pockets.
The display output is working. The input options are my issue.
RayNeo 3s Pro - connected via USB-C is displaying properly in mirrored mode (odd aspect ratio of course for an external 16:9 display).
I have managed, after writing a custom IOS app using all native calls, to display a webkit browser in full native resolution on the external display while using the device display as a separate controller.
The issue is that a connected bluetooth keyboard and trackpad can only control the keyboard and cursor on the device display and I can't seem to get them to work properly on the external display.
Pat-r-i-c-k wrote:
The external monitor is working perfectly.
The issue is the apple device preventing the input from being on the external display.
I wrote a javascript keyboard pass through to allow most keys to be passed to the screen but that's a poor implementation.
I also wrote a mouse simulator, controlled on the device screen, to control a cursor on the external screen as a proof of concept.
The iPad supports this functionality natively; but that device doesn't fit in my pockets.
OK. But I'm simply not qualified to help you further. There really aren't many who run their iPhone through an external monitor. You can certainly use a Bluetooth Mouse and Keyboard with an iPhone. But inserting an external monitor is outside the scope of anything I can offer.
Pat-r-i-c-k wrote:
Thank you lobsterghost1! I recognize it is an edge case currently. I have a hard time imagining it won't be more common soon as the AR market is only just starting.
Have a great day!
You as well.
See this from Apple for help --> Get Help with Apple Digital AV Adapters for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
You'll need to contact the manufacturer of the external monitor for help. It's not an Apple product.
Thank you lobsterghost1! I recognize it is an edge case currently. I have a hard time imagining it won't be more common soon as the AR market is only just starting.
Have a great day!
Can iPhone 17 Pro use external displays with keyboard and mouse for remote desktop apps?
