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Demetriun's avatar
Demetriun
Brass Contributor
May 07, 2026

How to fix iPhone mirroring timed out connecting issue on mac

Hi everyone, The iPhone Mirroring app on my Mac does not work. Every time I try to connect my iPhone, it says: iPhone Mirroring timed out connecting. Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on, the iPhone ...
Margareot's avatar
Margareot
Copper Contributor
May 07, 2026

If the trick above didn't work and the iPhone mirroring timed out connecting, these settings are the most common culprits. Work through them one by one.

1. Turn Off VPNs and Security Software

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and third-party firewall apps are notorious for blocking the local network connection that iPhone Mirroring requires. This is one of the most common causes of the "timed out" error.

Action: Go into the settings or app for your VPN on both your iPhone and Mac, and disconnect (or temporarily uninstall) it. Also temporarily disable any third-party security software on your Mac to see if that resolves the issue.

2. Check the Private Wi-Fi Address Setting

This is an often-overlooked but critical setting. For iPhone Mirroring to work, the private Wi-Fi address on both devices usually needs to be set to Rotating rather than Fixed.

Action (iPhone):

  • Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
  • Tap the (i) icon next to your connected Wi-Fi network.
  • Tap Private Wi-Fi Address and ensure Rotating is selected.

Action (Mac):

  • Go to System Settings → Wi-Fi.
  • Click Details next to your connected Wi-Fi network.
  • Turn on Rotating private address (the wording may vary slightly).

Action: Go into the settings or app for your VPN on both your iPhone and Mac, and disconnect (or temporarily uninstall) it. Also temporarily disable any third-party security software on your Mac to see if that resolves the issue.

3. Forget Your Wi-Fi Network & Reconnect

A simple way to force both devices to re-establish their connection settings and grab new IP addresses.

  • Action: On both your iPhone and Mac, go to your Wi-Fi settings, find your current network, and select "Forget This Network" (or "Remove"). Then, re-select the network from the list and re-enter the password to connect again.

4. Reset the iPhone Mirroring Connection

This tells your Mac to forget its current pairing with your iPhone, effectively giving you a fresh start.

  • Action: Open the iPhone Mirroring app on your Mac. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click iPhone Mirroring → Settings. Click the "Reset iPhone Access" button. After doing this, close the app, then reopen it and try to set up the connection from scratch.

 

Finally, ensure that both your iPhone and Mac are running the latest software versions. Apple frequently releases updates that specifically fix bugs related to Continuity features like iPhone mirroring timed out connecting.

Action (iPhone & Mac): Go to Settings (iPhone) or System Settings (Mac) → General → Software Update and install any available updates.