Touch Portal

Brief Overview of Touch Portal

Touch Portal is a remote macro control deck that transforms a mobile device, such as a phone or tablet, into a powerful controller for desktop applications on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its primary purpose is to provide creators with a customizable interface to automate tasks and streamline their workflow, eliminating the need to memorize complex keyboard shortcuts or navigate through menus during a live stream or creative session. This macro control solution works by establishing a connection between the mobile app (available for iOS and Android) and the desktop software over a local network or via a USB connection for Android and Windows users.

The core of Touch Portal is its highly flexible grid-based system. Users can design pages filled with buttons, each capable of executing a single action or a complex sequence of multi-action macros. The software offers deep, native integrations with popular streaming tools like OBS Studio and Streamlabs, as well as creative software such as Adobe Photoshop. For professionals and streamers seeking a robust automation tool, Touch Portal stands out by offering extensive customization options, from button aesthetics to advanced logical functions, allowing for the creation of a truly personalized control surface.

Touch Portal Key Features for Content Creators

• Multi-Action Macro Buttons: A single button press can trigger a sequence of multiple actions. This allows for the creation of complex macros that can, for example, switch a scene in OBS, play a sound effect, and post a message to Twitch chat simultaneously.

• Unlimited & Customizable Pages: Users can create an unlimited number of pages to organize their controls. Each page can have its own custom grid size, with the Pro version supporting layouts of up to 110 buttons, providing ample space for even the most complex setups.

• Extensive Native Integrations: Touch Portal includes direct integrations for a wide range of software. It offers deep control over OBS Studio, Streamlabs Desktop, and XSplit, allowing for scene switching, source management, audio control, and more. It also integrates with Twitch for chat messages and ad triggers, Adobe Photoshop for creative shortcuts, and Philips Hue for lighting control.

• Robust Plug-in System: Functionality can be expanded significantly through community-developed plug-ins, which are available with the Pro upgrade. These plug-ins add support for dozens of applications and services, including Spotify, Discord, VoiceMeeter, vMix, Ecamm Live, and even games like Microsoft Flight Simulator.

• Visual Customization and Assets: Every aspect of the interface is customizable. Buttons can be styled with custom icons, text, colors, and even animated GIFs (Pro feature). A community database provides access to pre-made pages, icon packs, and plug-ins to get started quickly.

• Advanced Logic Functions: The platform includes powerful logic functions, such as IF statements and events. This enables the creation of smart, state-aware controls like toggle buttons that change appearance based on a source's visibility in OBS or radio buttons for selecting an active scene.

• Support for Older Devices: The mobile app is designed to work on older hardware, supporting Android 5.0 and up and iOS 12.0 and up. This provides a practical way to repurpose an old phone or tablet into a dedicated and fully functional control deck.

• Sliders for Variable Control: Beyond simple button presses, Touch Portal supports sliders. These are ideal for actions that require variable input, such as adjusting the volume of an audio source, controlling the brightness of smart lights, or other gradual adjustments.

• HTTP Communication: The software can send HTTP POST, GET, and PUT requests. This feature allows users to control webhooks, integrate with services like IFTTT, and manage custom smart devices connected to their network.

• Optional Graphics Upgrades: For users who want to further enhance their layouts, Touch Portal offers several one-time graphics upgrades. These add features like RGB animated borders, custom edge styles, retro-themed button designs, and an advanced icon editor for creating unique visuals directly within the application.

Touch Portal Target Users & Use Cases

Touch Portal is designed for a broad spectrum of users, from streamers and content creators to professionals in various fields who want to improve their efficiency. Its flexibility makes it suitable for both beginners looking for a simple remote and power users who need to build complex automation workflows.

• Primary Creator Types: Live streamers, video editors, graphic designers, audio engineers, flight simulator pilots, and general PC/Mac power users.
• Experience Level: The free version is accessible to beginners, offering basic control with a limited grid. The Pro upgrade and its advanced features, like logic functions and plug-ins, are geared toward intermediate and advanced users who require deep customization.
• Team Size: Primarily built for solo creators and individual professionals managing their own workflows.
• Specific Use Cases:
  • Live Streaming: Instantly switch scenes in OBS, toggle sources, mute/unmute microphones, start/stop streams and recordings, and trigger Twitch chat commands.
  • Video Editing: Map frequently used tools, shortcuts, and macros in Adobe Premiere or other editing software to dedicated buttons.
  • Graphic Design: Create custom control pages for Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom to quickly access layer functions, tools, and color settings.
  • Audio Production: Use as a soundboard to play audio files during a stream or podcast, or control audio mixing software like VoiceMeeter.
  • Smart Home Control: Manage Philips Hue or LIFX lights, changing colors and brightness for a studio environment.
  • Gaming & Simulation: Build custom control panels for games like Microsoft Flight Simulator or Euro Truck Simulator to manage in-game functions.
  • General Productivity: Launch applications, run batch files, control media playback (Spotify, iTunes), and execute system-level commands for Windows or macOS.

How to Get Started with Touch Portal

Setting up Touch Portal involves installing software on both the desktop and mobile device and ensuring they are connected to the same local network.

1. Install the Desktop App: Download and install the Touch Portal application for your Windows or macOS computer from the official website.
2. Install the Mobile App: Go to the Google Play Store (for Android) or the Apple App Store (for iOS) and download the Touch Portal app on your phone or tablet.
3. Connect the Devices: Launch both the desktop and mobile applications. As long as both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, the mobile app should automatically detect and connect to the desktop server, displaying your default control page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Touch Portal

Is Touch Portal free to use? Yes, Touch Portal has a free version that is fully functional. However, it is limited to two pages (a main page and one additional page) and a fixed 4x2 grid size. The Pro upgrade, a one-time purchase, removes these limitations and unlocks additional features.

What platforms does Touch Portal support? Touch Portal's desktop application is available for Windows 10 & 11 (64-bit), macOS 10.13.6 and higher, and Linux (in open beta). The mobile client app is available for Android 5.0 and higher and iOS 12.0 and higher.

What does the Pro upgrade include? The Pro upgrade is a one-time payment that unlocks the core premium features. This includes an unlimited number of pages, variable grid sizes up to 110 buttons per page, support for animated GIFs, customizable page backgrounds, the ability to use community-made plug-ins, and access to advanced logic functions and events.

Can I connect multiple devices at once? Yes, but it requires the separate "Multiple Devices Upgrade." With this one-time purchase, you can connect multiple phones or tablets to the same desktop computer, with each device capable of displaying and operating on different pages independently.

Do keyboard shortcuts work in all applications and games? Key presses are simulated at the software level. They may not work in applications or games that are running in administrator mode if Touch Portal is not. Some games with aggressive anti-cheat systems may also block simulated inputs. Using the "Low Level Key Presses" option can improve compatibility in many cases.

How do I connect Touch Portal to OBS Studio? Touch Portal connects to OBS Studio via the OBS WebSockets plug-in, which is included by default in recent versions of OBS. You must enable the WebSocket server within OBS (under the "Tools" menu) for Touch Portal to establish a connection. Once enabled, Touch Portal should connect automatically.

Are the upgrades a one-time payment or a subscription? All upgrades for Touch Portal, including the Pro upgrade and various graphics packs, are one-time payments that grant a lifetime license. The license is tied to the app store account (Google Play or Apple App Store) used to make the purchase and is not transferable between platforms.

Bottom Line: Should Content Creators Choose Touch Portal?

Touch Portal is an exceptionally powerful and versatile tool for content creators seeking to automate their workflows and enhance their live productions. It is an excellent choice for anyone who wants the functionality of a physical macro pad or stream deck but prefers to use existing hardware like a spare tablet or phone. Its free version provides a solid entry point for testing its core capabilities, while the Pro upgrade unlocks a vast ecosystem of features that can be tailored to nearly any use case.

The main advantages lie in its deep customizability and extensive integration support. The ability to create multi-action macros, design complex pages with logic-driven buttons, and expand functionality through a rich library of plug-ins makes it a robust automation hub. For streamers, the native control over OBS, Streamlabs, and Twitch is a significant benefit. For other professionals, integrations with Photoshop and the ability to control almost any application via key presses and HTTP requests offer substantial productivity gains.

While the full potential is realized through one-time in-app purchases, the value proposition is strong. For creators who thrive on customization and want to build a control system perfectly suited to their needs, Touch Portal is a compelling and cost-effective solution.