How to present a Keynote on an iPad from a link
If the iPad is yours and has Keynote and the file, present from Keynote: you get presenter notes, a presenter display and offline playback. A link is for the other cases: the client's iPad on the meeting table, a demo iPad at a stand, a borrowed device without Keynote, or a deck you only have as a link. Here is how to do it well.
Link or Keynote app: choose first
| Keynote on the iPad | Link in Safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Needs Keynote and the file on that iPad | Yes | No |
| Presenter notes and presenter display | Yes | No |
| Works offline | Yes | No, needs a connection |
| Builds, transitions, video | Yes | Yes, in Apple's web player |
| Same deck on any other device | Only with Keynote | Yes, any browser |
Steps
- On a Mac: File → Export To → HTML…, then drop the folder on linkdeck.me. (Keynote for iPad cannot export HTML.)
- On the iPad: open the link in Safari and turn the iPad to landscape.
- Tap the viewer's full-screen button so Safari's toolbars get out of the way.
- Tap the slide to advance. Builds play in order; video plays inside the slide.
- Sound starts after your first tap, because Safari blocks audio until someone touches the page. Tap once before the audience is watching.
On a projector or TV
Connect a USB-C or Lightning to HDMI adapter, or AirPlay to an Apple TV, and the iPad mirrors its screen. A browser has no presenter display, so the audience sees exactly what you see. Keep notes on paper or on your phone.
Clickers and keyboards
The viewer listens for the arrow keys, Space, Enter, Page Up and Page Down. Most Bluetooth presentation clickers send one of those, so they usually work. Pair yours and test it on the actual deck before the meeting.
Make it last past the meeting
A free link stops working after 3 days. If this deck lives on a stand iPad for a week, or gets shown again next month, Keep it for €9 once and the link never expires; you also see which slides were watched. Pro (€12 a month) does the same for every deck.
Questions
Does the iPad need Keynote installed?
No. The link plays in Safari. Nothing to install, nothing to sign in to.
Will it work without Wi-Fi?
No. The deck streams from a CDN, so the iPad needs a connection. If the venue's network is doubtful, bring the .key or a PDF as a backup.
Can I see my presenter notes?
Not in the browser; the viewer shows slides only. If you need notes on screen, present from the Keynote app, or print the PDF export with presenter notes included.
Get the deck onto any iPad as a link
Export to HTML on a Mac, drop the folder here, open the link in Safari. First deck free.
Free for 3 days. €9 once keeps one deck for good; €12 a month keeps every deck. See pricing