What is Kairo Orbit?
Kairo Orbit lets you use your Mac from your iPhone or Android phone, from anywhere. Instead of shrinking the desktop onto a small screen, it gives you a phone interface for the things you actually do on your Mac.
The basics
Your Mac. Anywhere.
- What it is
- A mobile-first way to use your Mac: apps, files, code, and commands, with full desktop control when you need it.
- What it is not
- It is not screen mirroring, and it is not AirDrop. It works over the internet, from anywhere, on iPhone and Android.
- Who it is for
- People who leave their Mac at home or in the office and still need to reach their work while they are away from it.
How it works
From download to your Mac in your pocket
Install on your Mac
Download Orbit for macOS and drag it into Applications. On first open, allow it in System Settings → Privacy & Security, then grant the permissions it asks for.
Get Orbit on your phone
Install the Android app, or on iPhone open Orbit in Safari and add it to your Home Screen. No App Store needed.
Pair once
Choose Pair a Phone on your Mac and scan the QR code with your phone. You only do this once.
Use your Mac from anywhere
After pairing, your phone connects to your Mac wherever you are, over an end-to-end encrypted session.
What you can do
Your Mac, rebuilt for a phone
Each part of your Mac gets its own touch-friendly screen, so you are not squinting at a shrunken desktop.
- Applications
- Launch, switch, and work with your Mac apps through touch-friendly controls.
- Files
- Browse your whole Mac, preview anything, and move files to and from your phone.
- Code
- Read, edit, and review code in your projects with a mobile code editor.
- Commands
- A shell on your Mac, with a keyboard bar for ⌘, ⌥, ⌃, Esc, and Tab.
- Desktop control
- Take over the full desktop with trackpad-style gestures when an app needs it.
- Background tasks
- Work keeps running while your Mac is awake, even with its screen locked.
Always within reach
What happens when your Mac is awake, asleep, or back
- Mac awake
- Orbit keeps working, even while the Mac's screen is locked.
- Mac asleep
- New tasks wait in a queue. Orbit can wake the Mac remotely where the Mac model, macOS version, and network allow it. Where they do not, tasks wait safely.
- Back online
- Orbit reconnects on its own and runs the queued tasks.
AI Operator
Describe a task in plain language, such as finding a signed contract. The operator works out the steps and shows you what it will touch. Nothing runs on your Mac until you approve the plan.
The difference
Why not just mirror the screen?
| Screen mirroring | Kairo Orbit | |
|---|---|---|
| On a phone screen | A large desktop shrunk to fit | Native lists, sheets, and gestures made for touch |
| Everyday use | Pinch, zoom, scroll, and mis-tap | Tap straight to apps, files, code, and commands |
| Full desktop | Always, whether you need it or not | Available when you need it |
| When the Mac sleeps | The session ends | Tasks queue and run when it is back |
The name
Why it is called Orbit
In an orbit, one body travels freely while staying held by the centre it circles.
Your Mac is that centre. It stays at home or in the office, with its power, files, and apps. Your phone moves around it wherever you go, and the connection holds the whole time. The ring around the K in the Orbit logo is that orbit.
Safety and requirements
Your Mac stays yours
Security
- Sessions between your phone and your Mac are end-to-end encrypted.
- Only phones you have paired can connect, and you can revoke any of them in one tap.
- Access is scoped to the folders, apps, and commands you allow.
- You approve every action, within the access you granted.
- An activity log of sessions, transfers, and operator actions is kept on your device.
What you need
- Mac
- macOS 14 or later, on Apple Silicon or Intel. About 4 MB.
- Android
- The Orbit app, installed from an APK (about 149 MB).
- iPhone
- A web app added to the Home Screen from Safari. No App Store needed.
- Version
- 1.0.0
Questions
Common questions
Is Kairo Orbit available now?
Yes. Version 1.0.0 is out for macOS, Android, and iPhone. Downloads are on orbit.thekairo.dev.
Does my Mac need to stay awake?
Orbit works while your Mac is awake, even with the screen locked. If it sleeps, new tasks wait in a queue and run when it is back. Remote wake depends on your Mac model, macOS version, and network.
How is it different from AirDrop?
AirDrop moves files between Apple devices that are near each other. Orbit reaches your Mac over the internet, from iPhone or Android, for apps, files, code, commands, and background tasks.
Do I need the App Store on iPhone?
No. On iPhone, Orbit is a web app. Open it in Safari, tap Share, then Add to Home Screen.
Is the AI Operator available?
Not yet. It is coming soon. When it arrives, it will show you its plan and wait for your approval before doing anything.
Who can connect to my Mac?
Only phones you have paired with a QR code on your Mac. You can revoke a phone at any time.
How is Orbit related to Kairo Technologies?
Kairo Technologies is the company. Kairo Orbit is one of its products, alongside Kairo Cloud OS.
Take your Mac anywhere.
Kairo Orbit 1.0 is available now for macOS, Android, and iPhone. Downloads and setup guides are on its own site.