How to Set Up and Use iPhone Mirroring
Reading Time: 4 minutes Did you know you can actually control your iPhone right from your Mac? This feature, known as iPhone mirroring, lets me stay connected with my iPhone apps, messages, and notifications—without picking up my phone every few minutes. The best part? While my Mac becomes a mirror of my iPhone, my actual iPhone stays locked and secure, so no one else can sneak a peek at what I’m doing.
For example, if I’m in the middle of working on my Mac and a text comes through, I can respond quickly without interrupting my workflow. Yes, you can already send iMessages or SMS text messages from your Mac, but iPhone mirroring goes beyond that. With this, I can check my Telegram messages, or any other app notifications, right from my Mac. It’s a huge timesaver and keeps everything at my fingertips, from texts to all those other apps I rely on.
What You Need for iPhone Mirroring
Before we start, let’s go over the specific requirements for mirroring your iPhone to your Mac. Keep in mind that iPhone mirroring can only be used with one iPhone and one Mac at a time, so both devices need to meet these requirements:
- Compatible Devices and Software
- Mac: Your Mac must be an Apple silicon model or a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip, running macOS Sequoia 15 or later.
- iPhone: Your iPhone needs to be running iOS 18 or later.
- Same Apple ID with Two-Factor Authentication
Both devices need to be signed into the same Apple ID, and two-factor authentication must be enabled for security. This keeps the connection secure and allows your devices to sync seamlessly. - Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Enabled
Make sure both your iPhone and Mac have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on. They also need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. - Locked iPhone Near Your Mac
For mirroring to work, your iPhone should be locked and positioned near your Mac. It can even be charging and using StandBy mode, making it easy to pick up messages or notifications while it sits on your desk. - No Personal Hotspot or Internet Sharing Active
- On iPhone: Ensure Personal Hotspot isn’t active. iPhone mirroring won’t work if your iPhone is sharing its cellular connection.
- On Mac: Your Mac should not be sharing its internet connection or using features like AirPlay or Sidecar.
With these conditions met, you’re all set to start using iPhone mirroring and unlock a whole new level of convenience!
How to Start or Stop iPhone Mirroring
Once your devices are ready, you can easily start and stop iPhone mirroring right from your Mac. Here’s how:
Starting iPhone Mirroring
- Prepare Your Devices
Make sure your iPhone is nearby, locked, and meets all the necessary requirements. Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi should be turned on for both devices. - Open iPhone Mirroring on Your Mac
- Option 1: Click on iPhone Mirroring in your Dock.
- Option 2: Open iPhone Mirroring from the Applications folder or through Launchpad. This app is included with macOS Sequoia 15 or later.
- Follow the onscreen steps
Follow the onscreen steps and complete the step process. The process is really simple. There are just a few steps. I included some screenshots below to show the steps. For example, you will be asked to unlock your iPhone.
Once iPhone Mirroring is open, it will search for available iPhones nearby. When your iPhone appears in the list, click on it to start mirroring. Your iPhone’s screen will now display on your Mac, and you can begin interacting with it directly.
Stopping iPhone Mirroring
To stop mirroring your iPhone, simply quit the iPhone Mirroring app or unlock your iPhone.
With these quick steps, you can start and stop iPhone mirroring whenever you need, making it easy to manage your iPhone from your Mac!
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