Apple has included iPhone Mirroring as part of its second developer beta for iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. Here's how to get your iPhone screen to appear on your Mac.
iPhone Mirroring is a feature introduced with iOS 18 to make life easier for Mac owners who also have an iPhone. Sometimes, Mac users may want to check a notification on their iPhone, but it’s on the other side of the room or otherwise difficult to access. Or maybe there's an app installed on their iPhone that isn't available on their Mac.
Demonstrated during the WWDC Keynote, iPhone Mirroring allows users to use their iPhone from their Mac display. By using a mouse or trackpad instead of a finger, as well as the keyboard, users can see the entire iPhone display and interact with apps as usual. This is done wirelessly and securely. When the iPhone screen is displayed on the Mac, the iPhone itself remains locked, so no one else can interfere with it while it's being used remotely.
This change is part of Apple's Continuity feature set. It is similar to Universal Control, which uses a Mac's mouse and keyboard to control a nearby secondary Mac or iPad, but this time, it’s for the iPhone and appears on the Mac’s display.
The feature became accessible to users as part of the second developer betas of macOS Sequoia and iOS 18, released on June 24, 2024. However, the feature may not arrive for all users in the fall. Apple is strongly considering not rolling out some of its major features in the European Union due to the interoperability mandates of the Digital Markets Act.
Getting Started with iPhone Mirroring
The minimum requirements for iPhone Mirroring are an Apple Silicon or Intel Mac running macOS Sequoia, with the latter requiring a T2 Security chip. The iPhone and Mac must be signed in using the same Apple ID, with two-factor authentication enabled. Both the iPhone and Mac need to be near each other and have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. However, according to AppleInsider, after the initial link-up, it is possible to connect solely using USB-C after disabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the iPhone. We are not yet sure about Lightning, but we'll update this post when we are.
You also cannot be actively using AirPlay or Sidecar on the Mac before enabling the feature.
How to Enable iPhone Mirroring in iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia
1. After installing the betas and with the iPhone near the Mac, an icon will appear on the Mac's Dock titled "iPhone Mirroring." Open it.
2. Click "Continue."
3. On the iPhone, unlock it.
4. Back on the Mac, click "Get Started."
5. With the iPhone locked, open "iPhone Mirroring" on the Mac.
6. The first time, you'll be asked if you want to authenticate with the Mac every time or only the first time. Select "Ask Every Time" or "Authenticate Automatically."
7. Authenticate with the Mac when prompted. You'll then see the iPhone display.
When iPhone Mirroring is in use, the iPhone will display a message stating it's in use and which Mac is using it. If you pick up and unlock the iPhone while iPhone Mirroring is in use, the iPhone will return to normal. On the Mac, it will notify you that the iPhone is in use and that you will need to lock the iPhone to continue mirroring the display.
To actually use iPhone Mirroring, simply click on the mirrored display where you would normally tap. If you hover the mouse upwards, a navigation bar will appear, allowing you to move the window and access the Home Screen and App Switcher on the iPhone, since swipes aren’t possible.
