---
title: "Projects & Remote Control"
description: "Create projects across devices and control a Mac coding chat from iPhone or iPad, with explicit permissions and encrypted connections."
version: "Noema 4.2+"
platforms: ["iPhone", "iPad", "Mac"]
reviewed: "October 17, 2026"
canonical: "https://noemaai.com/docs/projects-and-remote-control"
---

# Projects & Remote Control

Carry project context everywhere while folders and coding tools stay on the Mac that owns them.

## One project, two kinds of chat

Create a project on any device, add shared instructions, and attach folders from a Mac. With chat sync enabled, project information and folder references travel through your private iCloud account. Each folder shows its owning Mac; filesystem paths, bookmarks, and access grants remain on that Mac.

A normal project chat can continue on iPhone or iPad with a model available there, even when the Mac is asleep. A coding chat belongs to the Mac that owns its folder. Its conversation syncs so you can read it elsewhere; file access and coding execution stay with that Mac.

## Enable Remote Control on the Mac

1. Update both devices to Noema 4.2 or later and sign in with the same Apple Account.
2. On the Mac, open Settings → Privacy & Sync and enable chat sync and Remote Access as needed.
3. Turn on Allow Remote Control. It is off by default and also requires Remote Access to be enabled.
4. Keep Noema running and the Mac awake. Open a project coding chat on iPhone or iPad and check that the header names the owner, such as Remote · MacBook Pro.

> Syncing a transcript does not enable remote execution. Remote Control uses Constellation’s end-to-end encrypted connections and obeys Off-Grid Mode.

## Send, follow progress, and approve

- Send a message from the phone or tablet. The Mac runs it with its own folder and tools; replies, tool activity, and approval requests stream back.
- Approve or deny file edits and ordinary commands from the requesting device. Destructive commands, persistent always-allow rules, and network access require approval on the Mac.
- A remotely started turn cannot use Full Access, even if a local task has used that policy.
- Use the remote project controls to start a coding chat or attach a folder offered by the owner Mac. The Mac grants folder access.

## When the Mac disconnects

A dropped connection does not stop work already running on the Mac. The client reconnects and catches up with the transcript and activity. Check whether the status says running, waiting for approval, or reconnecting before sending again.

If the Mac is asleep or unavailable, you can still read its synced conversation. Choose Continue as New Chat to continue in a regular chat in the same project with an available model. The new chat does not inherit access to the sleeping Mac’s folder.

For discovery failures, check the Apple Account, Remote Access, Allow Remote Control, the Mac’s awake state, and Off-Grid Mode on both devices.

## Related documentation
- [Noema Constellation](https://noemaai.com/docs/constellation)
- [Mac Projects and Agent](https://noemaai.com/docs/mac-projects-and-agent)
- [Constellation Model Ejection & Help](https://noemaai.com/docs/constellation-troubleshooting)
- [Privacy & Network Activity](https://noemaai.com/docs/privacy-and-network-activity)