We just shipped Workbench 1.3, the biggest update since we first launched this spring. This release focuses entirely on making Workbench faster and more dependable:
- 30% faster streaming
- Privacy curtain
- Watchdog
- iPad shortcut mapping
- Picture-in-picture
- Plus over 70 bug fixes!
How to update: Launch the apps on your devices and you’ll be prompted to download the latest version. Or you can grab the latest app downloads here.
What’s new in Workbench 1.3
30% faster streaming
Using the power of Apple Silicon, we rebuilt our video streaming system for optimized speed and performance.
- 30% faster overall: Powered by Apple Silicon.
- Content-aware encoding: Automatically adapts to different content types, switching algorithms for regions of the screen depending on whether they contain text or images.
- Sharper text and faster refresh rates: A direct result of the smarter encoding, not just raw speed.
Privacy curtain
Covers your local screen during a remote session so no one nearby can see what you’re doing.
- Three curtain styles: Choose between Workbench, Frost, or Black curtains.
- Optional display dimming: Lowers the backlight to 30% while curtained to save energy.
- Block local input: Turn on input blocking if you don’t want anyone to interrupt your session.
Watchdog
Automatically relaunches the app if it crashes, disconnects, or stops responding, so you can reconnect without being physically at your remote machine.
- Runs in the background: Monitors the connection without any manual intervention.
- Built for unattended setups: Designed for the reality that a lot of Workbench machines aren’t sitting in front of anyone.
- Opt-out: On by default but easy to turn off in settings
iPad shortcut mapping
Remap keyboard shortcuts iOS normally reserves for itself, like Cmd-Tab, so they reach your remote Mac instead.
- Custom key combinations: Record a new shortcut (like Option-Tab) to send the original command to your Mac.
- Covers window management (Close Window, Minimize Window, Hide App, Hide Other Apps) and system commands (Spotlight, App Switcher, App Settings, Quit App, Hide & Show Dock, Esc, Screenshot, Screenshot Selection).
Picture-in-picture
Pop your remote session into a small floating window so you can keep an eye on your Mac while working in other apps.
This feature allows you to have long running Workbench sessions in the background. Connect and switch to another app without worrying that it will disconnect.
Tons of bug fixes and minor improvements
We focused on polishing and improving the apps so they’re more reliable. 71 bugs were fixed for this release!
A few highlights include:
- iPad and iPhone clipboard sync
- More reliable keyboard support
- Panning works even when the iPhone keyboard is visible
- Keystrokes repeat when using an iPad keyboard
- Clipboard syncing is more reliable
- Sign in should be less frequent
- .. and so much more!
Try Workbench free for 20 minutes/ day
Need to connect to your Mac remotely? Workbench is designed for AI agents, headless Mac mini, and always-on computing.
- Fast, high-fidelity streaming. Interact with your Mac in real time with extremely low latency, even on high-resolution displays.
- Voice input for prompts. Dictate commands directly to your agents from your iPhone or iPad.
- Built for Apple devices. Remotely control your desktop from your iPad, iPhone, or another Mac.
