macOS continuity - make shortcuts work when using other mac's trackpad

Feature Requests
1

I am experiencing an issue when using continuity with my two macbook.

Prerequisites:

  • both are on macOS 15.2
  • both are using bettertouchtool 4.973
  • both use the same exact bettertouchtool config & shortcuts setup (via sync)

Reproduction:

  • Move your mac mouse over to the macbook next of it.
  • Control the mouse on the other screen.
  • Execute a better touch tool swipe shortcut.

Current behaviour:

  • It seems like bettertouchtool on the other machine does not detect the swipe actions from the main machine you're using the trackpad on.

Expected behaviour:

  • The swipe action should be detected on the main machine, but then either that same action or the shortcut set up should be sent to the other machine's bettertouchtool.

macOS continuity is so magic that we can control two macbooks at the same time with just one trackpad and keyboard. But I rely so much on bettertouchtool it's difficult for me to take advantage of continuity if the bettertouchtool shortcuts only work on one of the two.

This might be a difficult thing to implement but would be super awesome to make work!

2

I’d love to add support, but unfortunately there are currently no API’s that would allow fixing that

3

I had a look at the developer documentation and I was surprised there's no frameworks to hook into continuity stuff for the same app running on two machines.

I guess one way it could potentially be possible is a low level network connection where you write your own TCP package that sends just some info on the detected shortcut to other machines on the network.

When another machine with BTT and the same shortcuts receives the network event it can execute it locally.

But I guess this is pretty low level and might be quite the challenge.

I'm also a swift developer, but this kind of implementation, while the challenge sounds fun, does feel daunting.

Just an idea. : )

Keep up the good work! I couldn't live without your app.

4

yes, I have thought about adding support for such network based continuity support to the upcoming BTT Mobile app. It would probably be doable there, but I’ll only look into the details once the app is released for iOS. So this will at earliest come in February/ March

1 Like
5

That sounds great!

I don't use the mobile app, but if at some date next year you could look into just the mac to mac continuity, that'd be awesome!

In the mean time, I've changed this thread to a Feature Request instead of being a bug.

Enjoy the year's end holidays. :tada: :christmas_tree: :fireworks:

-Luca

6

yep, I just meant the tech stack that I already have for the mobile app. It will also work for macOS to macOS connections