---
author: "Mukul Chugh"
canonical: "https://mukulchugh.com/projects/openkvm"
description: "An open-source macOS menu bar app that shares one keyboard and mouse between two Macs over the local network. Captures HID input on one Mac and replays it on another via TCP/UDP with Bonjour discovery, a hotkey-driven alternative to Universal Control that works across different Apple IDs."
image: "https://mukulchugh.com/og/projects/openkvm.png"
language: "en"
title: "OpenKVM"
type: "project"
---

# OpenKVM

An open-source macOS menu bar app that shares one keyboard and mouse between two Macs over the local network. Captures HID input on one Mac and replays it on another via TCP/UDP with Bonjour discovery, a hotkey-driven alternative to Universal Control that works across different Apple IDs.

## Technology

Swift, macOS, IOKit, Bonjour, Networking

## One keyboard. Two Macs.

A work Mac and a personal Mac may use different Apple IDs. OpenKVM provides an explicit local-network way to share physical input without depending on Handoff or iCloud.

## How it works

- Run the menu-bar app on both Macs
- Discover and approve a paired peer
- Toggle input forwarding with a local hotkey

## Implementation

The owner Mac captures keyboard and pointer events and sends them over TCP/UDP for replay on the receiving Mac. Bonjour supports discovery, and pairing requires approval. The toggle remains local so control can be brought back to the source machine.

## Scope and boundaries

Both Macs need installation, network reachability, and macOS input permissions. This is input sharing, not remote display streaming. Signing and first-launch setup remain part of the installation experience.

## Sources

- <https://github.com/mukulchugh/OpenKVM>

[Repository](https://github.com/mukulchugh/OpenKVM)

[Project website](https://github.com/mukulchugh/OpenKVM/releases/latest)

---

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