How to Use iPhone Mirroring on Mac

iPhone Mirroring on Mac illustration

iPhone Mirroring in macOS Sequoia shows your iPhone screen in a Mac window. You can open iPhone apps, type with the Mac keyboard, use the trackpad or mouse, receive iPhone notifications, and move files while the physical iPhone stays locked nearby.

This feature requires an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS Sequoia or later and an iPhone running iOS 18 or later, signed in to the same Apple Account.

Does This Affect You?

Use iPhone Mirroring if you want to check an iPhone app from your Mac without picking up the phone, or if iPhone notifications should open directly into a mirrored app window.

Turn On and Use iPhone Mirroring

  1. Make sure both devices use the same Apple Account.
  2. Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices and keep them nearby.
  3. Make sure the iPhone is not actively being used, though it can remain locked.
  4. On Mac, open iPhone Mirroring from Spotlight or Launchpad.
  5. Follow the first-run prompts to confirm the account and permissions.
  6. Use the mirrored Home Screen just like the phone: click apps, scroll, and type with the Mac keyboard.
  7. Use the Home control in the Mirroring window to return to the iPhone Home Screen.

Useful iPhone Mirroring Features

Notifications on Mac

After the first setup, iPhone notifications can appear in Mac Notification Center. Clicking one opens the related iPhone app through Mirroring.

Drag and Drop

Supported files, photos, and documents can be dragged between the mirrored iPhone window and the Mac desktop or Finder, and in some cases back the other way.

Privacy at the Phone

While Mirroring is active, the iPhone display remains locked and dark, so someone looking at the phone does not see the mirrored activity.

Fix iPhone Mirroring Problems

Check Requirements

Intel Macs are not supported. Confirm the Mac has Apple Silicon, the Mac runs macOS Sequoia or later, and the iPhone runs iOS 18 or later.

Match Apple Accounts

Both devices must use the same Apple Account. Different iCloud accounts are a common reason the app cannot connect.

Fix Freezing or Disconnects

Move the devices closer, leave Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, and check whether Low Power Mode or Focus is limiting background behavior on the iPhone.

Unsupported Apps

Apps that need Face ID, the camera, or physical iPhone sensors may refuse to open or ask you to use the phone directly.

Sources

  • Apple Support: Use iPhone Mirroring on Mac
  • Apple: macOS Sequoia availability
  • Apple: Continuity system requirements
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