Using Claude Code from your phone: what works and what does not

01What "Claude Code on a phone" can mean

Claude Code is a command line tool. It runs in a terminal on Mac, Windows or Linux, or in Anthropic's cloud. There is no way to run the CLI itself on an iPhone or Android phone. What you can do is reach a session that runs somewhere else. The options below differ in where Claude runs and how much of the session you see.

02Option 1: Remote Control (Anthropic)

Remote Control connects the Claude app for iOS and Android, or claude.ai/code in a browser, to a Claude Code session running on your own machine. Your files, tools and MCP servers stay on the computer. The phone is a window into that session, kept in sync with the terminal.

You start it in one of three ways:

claude remote-control          # server mode: waits for connections, can show a QR code
claude --remote-control        # a normal interactive session, also reachable remotely

Or, inside a session you already have open, type /remote-control (or /rc). It also works from the VS Code extension and the Claude Desktop app.

Things to know, from Anthropic's documentation:

• It is available on Pro, Max, Ultra, Team and Enterprise plans. On Team and Enterprise, an Owner must turn it on first.
• It needs a claude.ai login. API keys are not supported, and it is not available through Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud, Microsoft Foundry or a custom ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL.
• The computer has to stay on and the claude process has to keep running. Close the terminal and the session goes offline.
• While connected, the session transcript is stored on Anthropic's servers to keep devices in sync.
• It can send push notifications to the Claude app. In /config, turn on Push when Claude decides, Push when actions required (for permission prompts and questions), or both.

Remote Control is the most complete option if you want to read the conversation and type full messages from your phone.

03Option 2: cloud sessions (Anthropic)

A cloud session runs Claude Code on Anthropic-managed infrastructure instead of your computer. You can start one from claude.ai/code, from the Code tab in the Claude mobile app, or from your terminal:

claude --cloud "Fix the flaky test in auth.spec.ts"

The session keeps running after you close your laptop, and you can check on it or steer it from any device. Later you can pull it into your terminal with claude --teleport.

From Anthropic's documentation:

• Available on Pro, Max, Ultra and Team plans, and for some Enterprise seats.
• The VM clones your code from GitHub, so you connect GitHub first. Other hosts have limits.
• It does not have your local machine's tools, files or MCP servers, only what the cloud environment provides.

Cloud sessions are the best fit when you want to start new work from your phone with nothing running at home.

04Option 3: SSH from a phone

Any SSH client on iPhone or Android can open a terminal on your computer or server. Run Claude Code inside tmux or screen so the session survives a dropped connection, then reattach from the phone.

This gives you exactly the terminal you have at your desk. It also gives you a desktop terminal on a phone keyboard, which is fine for a quick check and tiring for anything longer. It does not tell you when Claude needs you: you have to look. Claude Code in tmux or screen covers getting notified from a detached session.

05Option 4: hook-based notifications and replies

Claude Code runs hooks at fixed moments: when a turn ends (Stop), when a permission is needed (PermissionRequest), before a tool runs (PreToolUse), and others. A hook can send a push to your phone and, for some events, return your answer to Claude Code. You do not watch the session. Your phone buzzes when something needs you, and you reply in one tap.

You can build this yourself with a push service such as ntfy (see Claude Code push notifications with ntfy), or use a ready-made tool.

Claude Code Notifier

Claude Code Notifier is an independent tool made by TouchTap Ltd, not by Anthropic. It has a free command line tool, ccn, for Mac, Windows and Linux, and apps for iPhone and Android. ccn is one small binary that Claude Code runs through its hooks. It runs for a few milliseconds when something happens, then exits, with nothing in the background.

With a phone paired you get:

• A "Claude has finished" push when a turn ends.
• Permission requests you can allow once, allow for the session, or deny.
• Questions you can answer by picking an option.
• A follow-up instruction you can send right after Claude finishes.

It does not need Remote Control turned on, and it works in any terminal, including IDE terminals and SSH sessions. It is a narrower tool than Remote Control: you do not read the whole conversation on the phone. It is built for the moments where Claude would otherwise sit and wait.

Install it and pair in a minute, as described in Connect your phone to Claude Code. The app is free to download and needs a subscription or lifetime purchase to use. See pricing.

06Side by side

07What does not work well

• Running the CLI on the phone itself. Claude Code needs a Mac, Windows or Linux machine, or Anthropic's cloud.
• Long typing on a phone keyboard over SSH. Possible, rarely pleasant.
• Leaving a laptop to sleep. Anything that runs on your computer pauses when it sleeps. Leave Claude Code running and walk away covers keeping it awake.

08Which to choose

• You want to read and steer the whole conversation from the sofa: Remote Control.
• You want to start fresh work with your computer off: cloud sessions.
• You want the exact terminal, now and then: SSH.
• You want to stay away and only hear about it when Claude needs a decision: a hook-based tool such as Claude Code Notifier.

These are not exclusive. Plenty of people use more than one. For every notification route, including terminal bells and chat webhooks, see Every way to get Claude Code notifications, compared.

09FAQ