Astropad launches Workbench to control AI agents on Mac Minis from iPhone

In short: Astropad released Workbench, a remote desktop app that lets people monitor and control AI agents running on Mac Minis from an iPhone or iPad.

What happened

Astropad introduced a new product called Workbench, aimed at people who run “AI agents” on small Apple computers like the Mac Mini. An AI agent is software that can carry out tasks on its own, like running a long job, saving files, or generating drafts, but it can still get stuck or need approval.

Workbench is a type of remote desktop tool, meaning it shows your Mac’s screen on another device and lets you control it from far away (like using your computer through a window). Astropad says Workbench is designed for checking in on AI agents, so you can view logs (a running record of what the software is doing), restart stalled tasks, and approve pop-ups that require a human click.

The app supports iPad and iPhone, and includes voice dictation so you can speak prompts and commands. It also supports touch, a keyboard, and Apple Pencil input, and it includes a device chooser for people managing multiple Macs. Astropad says its own streaming technology, called LIQUID, is built for sharp, high-quality visuals with low delay.

Workbench runs on macOS 15 or later and iOS 26. It is free with a limit of 20 minutes per day, or costs $10 per month or $50 per year for unlimited use.

Why it matters

More people are running AI tools on always-on computers at home or work, and they still need a simple way to check what those tools are doing. Workbench is trying to make that check-in feel as easy as opening an app on your phone.

Source: TechCrunch AI