Keyboard & mouse sharingOne keyboard,every computer.
Two computers on your desk, one keyboard and mouse. Place the other screen beside yours, and the pointer crosses over at the edge, with your typing following it.
Getting started
- 1
Connect
Open Whisper on both computers and connect from the device list. The first time, compare the pairing code.
- 2
Arrange
Open the input workspace in the desktop app and drag the other screen next to yours, the way they sit on your desk.
- 3
Start
Click Start. Move the pointer off the shared edge and it lands on the other computer.
More than the pointer moves.
Typing follows
Keystrokes go to whichever computer the pointer is on. There is nothing else to switch.
Copy here, paste there
With clipboard sync on, copy on one computer and paste on another. Inside the input workspace, images and files travel this way too, within size limits.
More than two
Arrange several computers in one workspace. The pointer goes to whichever one sits past the edge it crosses.
Always a way back
If the pointer is stuck elsewhere, press Ctrl + Alt + Esc on the controlling computer (Control + Option + Esc on macOS) and input returns at once. It also returns if the other side disconnects.
The Windows lock screen too
A system service bundled with the installer lets you type your password on the Windows lock screen. UAC prompts after unlocking are off by default and can be turned on separately.
Your phone, too
Away from the desk, an Android phone can act as a motion mouse, touchpad, and keyboard for your computer.
Platforms and requirements
- macOSmacOSControls and is controlled
Grant the Accessibility permission in System Settings.
- WindowsWindowsControls and is controlled
Typing on the lock screen needs the system service from the installer.
- LinuxLinuxX11, GNOME or KDE
On Wayland, GNOME and KDE Plasma are supported. GNOME asks for no permission, and before 46 (Ubuntu 22.04, for example) can only be controlled; KDE Plasma asks once the first time it is controlled, and each time it starts controlling other computers.
- AndroidAndroidPhone as mouse
Not part of sharing between screens, but the phone can act as a mouse and keyboard for a computer.
Questions
My pointer is stuck on another computer. Now what?
Press Ctrl + Alt + Esc on the controlling computer (Control + Option + Esc on macOS) and input returns immediately. The shortcut is always shown at the bottom of the screen arrangement in the workspace.
My Linux desktop uses Wayland. Will it work?
On GNOME and KDE Plasma, yes. GNOME asks for no permission, and the top bar shows the remote control icon while in use; GNOME before 46 (Ubuntu 22.04, for example) can only be controlled, so to control other computers from one, choose “Ubuntu on Xorg” on the login screen. KDE Plasma asks for permission the first time it is controlled, and not again once you tick remember; controlling other computers from it asks each time it starts, a current KDE limit. Other Wayland desktops have not been verified.
Is this a software KVM?
Yes, without the video. A KVM switch is a box that moves one keyboard, mouse and monitor between computers; Whisper moves the keyboard and mouse over your network instead, and each computer keeps its own screen. To use another computer’s windows on this screen, see window flow.
How is this different from remote desktop?
Only keyboard and mouse input is sent, not the picture: each computer keeps its own display, which suits computers on the same desk. It is meant for your own devices nearby, not for unattended remote control.
Why does the pointer stutter?
First check that both computers have a steady network connection. On Windows, check Settings → System → Projecting to this PC: while it is on, the wireless adapter keeps a Wi-Fi Direct network alive as well, which adds periodic delay. Set it to Always Off if you do not project to this PC.
Still curious?