Any phone or tablet on the same network as REAPER can be a remote control. There are three ways to do it, and they differ in how much setup they take and how much of REAPER they reach. I make MixSurface, so weigh that part.
The Web Remote, built into REAPER
Nothing to install on the phone. It covers transport, track faders, sends and headphone mixes, not plugin editing.
- In REAPER, open Options > Preferences > Control/OSC/web.
- Click Add, pick Web browser interface, choose a default page and press Apply.
- Open the Access URL that REAPER shows in a browser on the phone or tablet.
- On Windows, if the page does not load, let the port (8080 by default) through the firewall.
I use it for musicians’ in-ear mixes, with the more_me.html page: start the server, send them the link. It works surprisingly well, the UI is a bit clunky.
An OSC app, like TouchOSC
This is the way when you want your own layout, pads or MIDI, or to control other software too. In REAPER you add an OSC control surface on the same preferences page, match the IP addresses and ports with the app, then load or build a layout. It reaches as far as the layout you build, and you rebuild the connection when your network changes.
MixSurface
A REAPER app for iPhone, iPad and Android. No OSC addresses, no IPs to type.
- Install the free extension from the setup page and add it in REAPER under Control/OSC/web.
- Open MixSurface on the same Wi-Fi, or connect over a USB cable.
- Tap your computer in the list.
The mixer is free: faders, pan, mute, solo, meters, track layers and Sends on Fader. A one-time unlock adds the whole FX chain with plugin control, the multi-touch EQ and Control View.
Which one
- Free headphone mixes for musicians: the Web Remote.
- Pads, MIDI or your own layouts: TouchOSC.
- Faders, sends, plugins and EQ that feel right, with no setup: MixSurface.
Every app I have tried, with prices and platforms, is in REAPER remote apps in 2026.