- Navigate your iPhone from the comfort of your Mac
- You get full control, even when your iPhone is in another room
- The iPhone screen will remain dark throughout so nobody can snoop
iPhone Mirroring is the latest addition to Apple’s suite of Continuity features, allowing users to seamlessly control their iPhone from a Mac. That means even if you left your iPhone in another room, you can quickly access all of its apps and notifications without leaving your computer. Let’s check out how to use it.
Compatibility
First, the entry requirements. To use this feature, you’ll need an iPhone with iOS 18 and Mac with macOS Sequoia. The model of iPhone isn’t important, but the Mac needs either an M-series chip or a T2 security chip. (Most models released in the last five years qualify.) You’ll also need both devices to be signed into the same Apple ID, connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and have Bluetooth enabled. Got all that?
Get yourself connected
To start, open the iPhone Mirroring app from the Mac’s Dock, or Launchpad if it’s no longer a docked app. Follow the connection prompts to detect nearby devices, and enter your passcode on the iPhone to confirm pairing. You’ll also need to enter your Mac’s login password – choose Authenticate Automatically when prompted to skip this step in future.
Once paired, your Mac will automatically find your iPhone each time you open the iPhone Mirroring app, assuming it’s not too far away.
You’ll then see a full-size replica of your iPhone on your Mac screen. Interact with it just like you would the real thing – but with keyboard, mouse, and trackpad instead of fingers and thumbs.
Incoming notifications will be merged with your Mac’s Notification Center, and any audio from an iPhone app will come through your Mac speakers. All the while your actual iPhone just shows the Lock Screen so nobody can see what you’re up to.
Some features, including the camera and microphone, aren’t available while mirroring, but everything else works more or less the same as usual.
Key shortcuts
Of course, some important gestures don’t really translate without a touchscreen, but there are a few different options for replacing them. You can tap the Home bar to return to the Home Screen from any app. You can also hover the cursor just above the iPhone Mirroring window to reveal a hidden frame with Home Screen and App Switcher buttons. Alternatively, you can use the View menu or keyboard shortcuts to access the Home Screen (Cmd+1), App Switcher (Cmd+2), and Spotlight (Cmd+3).
Unlocking your iPhone will end the mirroring session on your Mac and return control to the iPhone itself. If you do this by mistake, simply lock it and hit Try Again on your Mac to reconnect. To end a session, simply quit the app.