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Arunprakaash/mac-tv

A macOS app that turns a Mac into an Apple TV-style box with a tvOS-like home screen, streaming apps and a phone remote.

Open-source alternative to:Apple TV

View on GitHubWebsite
Stars
101
Forks
6
Open issues
2
Last commit
3 days ago

What is it?

Mac TV is a macOS app that makes a Mac behave like an Apple TV-style media box. Its home screen mimics tvOS, with a Top Shelf of recent shows, an app dock and a full app grid. Streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Apple TV and Spotify run in their official web players, and any website, Mac app or Steam game can be added as a tile.

The Mac is controlled from a phone by scanning a QR code, with no separate app to install. The remote offers a clickpad, touchpad, typing, volume control and haptics, and works away from home over Tailscale. PlayStation, Xbox and Switch Pro controllers are also supported. Local video files, including MKV, and Jellyfin libraries can be played with subtitles and Continue Watching.

The app requires macOS 14 or later on Apple silicon or Intel Macs. It has no accounts or servers of its own, and anonymous usage sharing is opt-in.

Key features

  • 01Apple TV-style home screen with Top Shelf, app dock and grid
  • 02Streaming services run in their official web players with DRM
  • 03Phone remote via QR code with clickpad, typing and volume control
  • 04Plays local files including MKV, plus Jellyfin libraries and NAS shares
  • 05Supports PlayStation, Xbox and Switch Pro game controllers

Use cases

  • Turning a Mac connected to a living-room TV into a streaming box
  • Watching a personal video library from a NAS or Jellyfin server on the TV
  • Controlling a Mac-connected TV from a phone, including over Tailscale when away from home

Quick start

  1. 1

    Download the MacTV DMG from the Releases page and drag Mac TV to Applications

  2. 2

    Open the app and click Open Anyway in System Settings › Privacy & Security

  3. 3

    Allow incoming network connections when macOS asks, then follow the setup and scan the QR code with your phone

Things to know

  • Runs only on macOS 14 or later, on Apple silicon or Intel Macs.
  • The app is not notarized by Apple, so macOS shows a warning and you must approve it manually.

In collections

Home media serversOpen-source Mac appsStreaming tools

Topics

#macos#swift#media-center#streaming#home-theater#jellyfin#remote-control#tvos

FAQ

What is mac-tv?
A macOS app that turns a Mac into an Apple TV-style box with a tvOS-like home screen, streaming apps and a phone remote. Mac TV is a macOS app that makes a Mac behave like an Apple TV-style media box. Its home screen mimics tvOS, with a Top Shelf of recent shows, an app dock and a full app grid. Streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Apple TV and Spotify run in their official web players, and any website, Mac app or Steam game can be added as a tile.
Is mac-tv free to use? What license does it have?
mac-tv is open source under the MIT license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is mac-tv still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to mac-tv was on Nov 4, 2026.
What can I use mac-tv for?
Turning a Mac connected to a living-room TV into a streaming box Watching a personal video library from a NAS or Jellyfin server on the TV Controlling a Mac-connected TV from a phone, including over Tailscale when away from home
How do I install mac-tv?
Download the MacTV DMG from the Releases page and drag Mac TV to Applications Open the app and click Open Anyway in System Settings › Privacy & Security Allow incoming network connections when macOS asks, then follow the setup and scan the QR code with your phone
Where can I get mac-tv?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/Arunprakaash/mac-tv

Summary generated by AI from the project's README. GitHub stats refresh daily.

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