CNCjogger has two parts: the CNCjogger app (free, runs on your iPhone) and the CNCjogger Stick (a small USB receiver that plugs into your CNC computer). The app sends jog commands wirelessly to the Stick, which types them as keyboard shortcuts into your CNC software.
What's in the Box
- CNCjogger Stick — USB-C wireless receiver
- USB-C to USB-A Adapter — for USB-A computer ports
- Quick-Start Card — setup summary and regulatory info
No tools, no assembly, no software to install on your computer. Works with any Mac or Windows CNC computer with a USB port.
2-Minute Setup
Step 1: Plug in the CNCjogger Stick
- Locate a USB port on your CNC computer.
- If your port is USB-A (the standard rectangular type), use the included adapter: plug the adapter into the USB-A port, then plug the CNCjogger Stick into the adapter.
- If your port is USB-C, plug the CNCjogger Stick directly in.
The LED will blink blue once per second — this means it's powered and waiting to connect.
macOS users: When you first plug in the CNCjogger Stick, macOS may show a Keyboard Setup Assistant window. Just close it — no configuration is needed.
Step 2: Download the Free App
- Open the App Store on your iPhone.
- Search for "CNCjogger".
- Tap Get to install (free).
Requires iOS 16 or later.
Step 3: Launch & Connect
- Open CNCjogger from your home screen.
- Tap Allow when iOS asks for Bluetooth permission.
- Wait 5–10 seconds for the app to find and connect to the CNCjogger Stick.
Step 4: Select Your CNC Software
Tap the gear icon to select the software running on your CNC computer:
- Carbide Motion (default)
- UGS — Universal G-Code Sender
- Easel — Inventables
- Mach3
- OpenBuilds CONTROL
- Custom Layout — assign your own keyboard shortcuts
Step 5: Get Your CNC Software Ready
On your CNC computer, open your CNC control software and navigate to the jog screen. Make sure the window is in the foreground and ready to receive keyboard input.
Step 6: Start Jogging
- Tap and hold a direction button to jog. Release to stop.
- Speed buttons (1–4) appear for Carbide Motion. For other software, set step size in the software's own UI.
- Make sure your CNC software window is in the foreground on the computer.
Troubleshooting
"Searching..." won't go away
- Verify the CNCjogger Stick LED is blinking blue. If it's dark, unplug and replug it.
- If the CNCjogger Stick is plugged into a USB hub, try a direct USB port on the computer instead.
- Try a different USB port — some ports may not provide enough power.
- On your iPhone, make sure Bluetooth is on: Settings > Bluetooth.
- Toggle Bluetooth off and back on on your iPhone, wait 3 seconds.
- Force-quit CNCjogger and reopen it.
- If still stuck: unplug the CNCjogger Stick, wait 10 seconds, replug, and reopen the app.
Jog buttons don't move the CNC
CNCjogger works by sending standard keyboard shortcuts to your CNC software — exactly the same keystrokes a regular keyboard would send. A good first step is to test with a regular keyboard plugged into the same computer: try the jog keyboard shortcuts for your software (see the software-specific notes below) and confirm that the machine actually moves. If the regular keyboard successfully jogs the machine, CNCjogger will too. If even the regular keyboard doesn't jog, the issue is in your CNC software or OS settings, not CNCjogger.
If the regular keyboard doesn't jog either, possible reasons include custom keybindings in your CNC software, a jog mode or keyboard toggle that needs to be enabled, or OS-level keyboard settings affecting input.
- Click the CNC software window on your computer to make sure it has focus.
- Verify you selected the correct software in CNCjogger settings (gear icon).
Software-specific:
- Carbide Motion: No special setup. Make sure the Jog page is visible.
- UGS: Open Machine menu, check "Enable Keyboard Movement".
- Easel: Click the keyboard icon in the Jog panel to enable keyboard jogging.
- Mach3: Press Ctrl+Alt+J once to toggle Jog Mode on.
- OpenBuilds CONTROL: Keyboard jogging is on by default.
Jog seems intermittent or stops mid-hold
- Keep the phone within 10 meters (30 feet) of the CNCjogger Stick.
- Not all CNC software supports continuous jogging from keyboard input. Some software only moves one step per keypress, regardless of how long you hold the button. Check your software's jog settings.
- OpenBuilds CONTROL has an on-screen toggle to enable continuous jog mode — make sure it's turned on if you want hold-to-jog behavior.
- Some software requires a slightly longer press to transition from stepping to continuous movement. Try holding the button a little longer.
Connection drops after the phone sleeps
This is normal. Return to CNCjogger — it reconnects automatically in 5–10 seconds. If it doesn't, toggle Bluetooth off/on or force-quit and reopen.
Switching to a different phone
The CNCjogger Stick connects to one phone at a time. To use it with a different phone, close the CNCjogger app on the first phone. The CNCjogger Stick will automatically find and connect to the new phone within a few seconds.
CNCjogger Stick lost power after laptop sleep
If you are using a laptop on battery power, check your power settings to ensure the computer is not configured to sleep or turn off power to USB accessories. If the CNCjogger Stick does power off by accident, unplug and replug it to force the computer to restart sending power to the device.
CNCjogger Stick LED is not blinking
- Unplug, wait 5 seconds, replug.
- Try a different USB port.
- Try without the adapter (if you have a USB-C port).
If none of these steps help, contact us — we're happy to help sort it out.
Software-Specific Notes
Carbide Motion
- Speed buttons: 1 = 0.025mm, 2 = 0.25mm, 3 = 1mm, 4 = Fast
- Keyboard jog enabled by default — no setup required
UGS (Universal G-Code Sender)
- Must enable "Keyboard Movement" in Machine menu
- Set step size in the Jog panel — CNCjogger does not control step size for UGS
- If you've remapped shortcuts in UGS, use Custom Layout in CNCjogger to match
Easel (Inventables)
- Click the keyboard icon in the Jog panel to enable keyboard jogging
- Browser-based — make sure the Easel tab is in focus
Mach3
- Press Ctrl+Alt+J to toggle Jog Mode on (required once per session)
- Windows only
OpenBuilds CONTROL
- Keyboard jogging is on by default
- Set step size in the Motion panel
Safety
Never use CNCjogger to jog while the spindle or router is running. Always confirm the spindle is off before jogging. Jogging into a workpiece with a spinning tool can break the cutting tool, damage the workpiece, and send debris flying.
CNCjogger is a wireless remote control, not a safety device. In any emergency, use your CNC machine's emergency stop button — not your phone. CNCjogger does not monitor machine state, tool position, or limit switches.
On first use, test at minimal jog speeds with no tool loaded. Confirm that each direction moves the machine the way you expect before working near a workpiece.
Always follow your CNC manufacturer's safety guidelines. CNCjogger sends the same keyboard commands as a physical keyboard. It does not override or bypass any safety features built into your CNC software or hardware.
Contact Support
When contacting support, please include:
- iPhone model and iOS version
- CNCjogger app version (visible in Settings)
- CNC software name and version
- Description of the issue
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