Forum Discussion
iPhone mirroring not working on mac. Any suggestion to fix it?
I bought a refurbished iMac 2020 and would like to mirror my iPhone screen to Mac as the large screen is more comfortable and convenient for document editing and watch the videos saved on iPhone. However, the built in app on mac can't detect my iPhone for screen mirroring. This might because the iMac is a bit old and not running the latest macOS operating system.
Is there any alternatives if iPhone mirroring not working on Mac? I have tried to update the iOS to latest supported version as well as the macOS but no avail. Hope someone could help on this.
Best Regards,
Mike
7 Replies
- KellenCashIron Contributor
For the simplest, built-in Apple experience, SkyMirror is the best option when iPhone mirroring app is not working on your Mac.
- KellenCashIron Contributor
iPhone Mirroring is a groundbreaking feature introduced with iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia that allows you to view and fully control your iPhone's screen directly from your Mac.
It's not just a simple projection; it's a seamless, real-time remote connection to your iPhone. You can interact with it using your Mac's keyboard, mouse, or trackpad as if you were touching the iPhone screen itself.
Step 1: Once connected, a resizable window appears on your Mac desktop showing your iPhone's live screen.
Step 2: Move your cursor over the window and click to tap.
Step 3: Type directly into text fields on your iPhone using your Mac's keyboard.
Step 4: Use your Mac's trackpad or mouse scroll wheel to scroll on the iPhone screen.
Home & Swipe Gestures: The menu bar of the mirroring window provides virtual buttons for the iPhone's Home Bar, Swipe Up, and other gestures.
Best Alternatives if iPhone mirroring is not working
1. AirPlay to Mac
What it is: A built-in feature that lets you stream your iPhone's screen, audio, and video directly to a compatible Mac (2018 and later, running macOS Monterey or later).
Best for: Screen sharing and media consumption. Perfect for watching videos, viewing photos, or giving presentations from your iPhone on a larger Mac screen.
Key Difference from iPhone Mirroring: It's a one-way stream. You can't control the iPhone with your Mac's mouse and keyboard.
2. Zoom / Microsoft Teams / Google Meet
What it is: The "Screen Share" function in these popular video conferencing apps.
Best for: Business meetings and presentations. Quickly share your iPhone screen with colleagues or a remote audience during a call.
How it works: Join a meeting from your computer, then use the "Share Screen" option and select "iPhone/iPad via AirPlay" or use the built-in mobile screen share function in the app.
- JasperMonroeIron Contributor
iPhone mirroring not working on Mac is a common issue, especially since Apple's official solution (AirPlay to Mac) can be finicky and requires specific hardware and software versions.
What about the OBS Studio with an iOS app? You use a free app on your iPhone that broadcasts your screen, and OBS (free, open-source software) on your Mac to receive and display it.
How to use:
- On your Mac: Download and install OBS Studio.
- On your iPhone: Download a free app that supports the "NDI" protocol, like NDI HX Camera (from NewTek) from the App Store.
- Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi.
- Open the NDI app on your iPhone and start broadcasting.
- In OBS on your Mac, add a new "NDI™ Source" and select your iPhone from the list.
- AshtonBlakeIron Contributor
Try to reset Network & Bluetooth.This clears any glitch network configurations. This is a very effective trick to help you safely mirror iPhone to Mac.
1. Reset Network Settings on iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. (This will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth connections).
2. Reset Bluetooth on Mac: Go to System Settings > Bluetooth, right-click on your iPhone in the list, and select "Remove" or "Forget This Device".
3. Restart both devices and try reconnecting.
If iPhone screen mirroring not working on mac, consider these:
Check Firewall/Security Software: Third-party firewalls or security software on your Mac can block the connection. Temporarily disable them to test.
Focus Modes: Ensure you don't have a Focus mode (like Work or Driving) active on your iPhone that might be blocking the connection. Try turning all Focus modes off.
Low Power Mode: Disable Low Power Mode on your iPhone, as it can limit background processes.
- DavidGarciaIron Contributor
Your issue is likely related to compatibility or network settings if iPhone mirroring not working on Mac. Ensuring both devices are updated, on the same network, and AirPlay is enabled usually resolves the problem. If not, third-party apps are a great alternative.
Possible Causes:
- macOS Compatibility:
If your Mac isn’t running the latest macOS, certain AirPlay features might be limited or disabled. - iOS Compatibility:
Your iPhone’s iOS version should support AirPlay Mirroring. If it's outdated, it might cause issues. - Network Connection:
Both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Differences in networks or VPNs can prevent detection.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Test with Other Devices:
Try AirPlaying to other compatible Apple devices to see if the issue is specific to your Mac. - Restart Devices:
Restart both your iPhone and Mac to reset network and software states if iPhone mirroring not working on Mac. - Reset Settings:
On your iPhone, reset network settings if necessary (Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings). - Check AirPlay Settings:
On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Displays and ensure AirPlay is enabled.
- macOS Compatibility:
- AxelMemphisIron Contributor
iPhone mirroring is a fantastic new feature in macOS Sequoia and iOS 18, but it can be frustrating when it doesn't work right out of the gate. The connection relies on a specific set of requirements, and if just one isn't met, the feature may fail.
If you're stuck, don't worry. The solution is usually simple. Follow this streamlined troubleshooting guide to get your iPhone screen mirroring on your Mac in no time.
Check the Connection & Settings
A setting might have been accidentally toggled.
On your Mac:
- Go to System Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff.
- Ensure "iPhone Mirroring" is enabled.
On your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff.
- Ensure "iPhone Mirroring" is enabled.
The "Forget and Reconnect" Method
- This resets the connection between the two devices.
- On your Mac, open iPhone Mirroring.
- In the menu bar, click iPhone Mirroring and select your iPhone's name.
- At the bottom of the list, click Forget This iPhone.
- Restart both your iPhone and Mac.
- Open iPhone Mirroring again. It should rediscover your iPhone and prompt you to connect.
If you've tried all the steps above and iPhone Mirroring still not working on mac, it's likely a deeper software bug.
- Contact Apple Support: This is the best next step. They have diagnostic tools that can see exactly why the connection is failing.
- Wait for a Future Update: Since this is a brand-new feature, Apple is likely aware of some edge-case bugs and will fix them in subsequent .1 updates to macOS Sequoia and iOS 18.
- ColtonReidIron Contributor
If your iPhone mirroring not working on Mac using the built-in options, and you've already tried updating both devices, there are several alternative methods you can consider:
1. Use QuickTime Player
- Connect your iPhone to your iMac using a Lightning cable.
- Open QuickTime Player on your Mac.
- Go to File > New Movie Recording.
- Click the arrow next to the record button and select your iPhone as the camera source.
This method provides a live view of your iPhone screen on your Mac but is limited to wired connection.
2. Update or Reset Network Settings:
- Sometimes network issues hinder AirPlay detection. Reset network settings on your iPhone (Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings).
- Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.