How to Mirror iPhone to Mac with and without Wi-Fi

Clare Phang
Last updated: Sep 23, 2024

If you're seeking guidance on how to mirror your iPhone to your Mac, don't miss out on this blog post where four practical methods are introduced in detail. Check it out now.

Have you ever wanted to mirror your iPhone content to your Mac? This guide will walk you through the steps to make this seamless integration happen.

How to Screen Mirror iPhone to Mac with and without Wi-Fi

Here's a quick navigation of all methods.

MethodsEase of UseRequirements
iPhone MirroringMediumRequires macOS Sequoia, iOS 18, Same Apple ID, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi
Screen SharingEasyWi-Fi required.
AirPlayEasyWi-Fi and Bluetooth needed.
QuickTime PlayerMediumUSB cable required.
Screen Mirroring AppMediumWi-Fi required. Payment may be required.

Before You Start (Important!)

Here are some things to do before you start mirroring from your iPhone to your Mac.

1. Ensure Both of Your Devices Are Connected to the Internet

Make sure both your iPhone and Mac are connected to the internet. This is crucial for a smooth mirroring experience.

2. Allow Your Mac to Be Discovered

It's crucial to ensure that other devices can detect your Mac. Here's how:

on macOS Sequoia, Sonoma or Ventura:

  1. Click the Apple menu and select "System Settings".
  2. Click "General" > "AirDrop and Handoff".
  3. Enable "AirPlay Receiver".
  4. Click on the drop-down menu of "Allow AirPlay for" and choose "Everyone" or "Anyone on the Same Network".
Set Mac to Be Discovered

On macOS Monterey or Earlier:

  1. Click the Apple menu and select "System Preferences".
  2. Click "Sharing" and enable "AirPlay Receiver".
  3. Choose your preferred option for "Allow AirPlay".
Tip
If you choose "Anyone on the Same Network," ensure your iPhone and Mac are on the same network.

With the preparations done, you can start mirroring your iPhone to your Mac.

How to Mirror iPhone (iOS 18) to Mac (Sequoia) with iPhone Mirroring

iPhone Mirroring is an app built into macOS Sequoia, which enables you to mirror your iPhone to your Mac and easily view what’s on your iPhone and control it.

Here's how to use iPhone Mirroring to mirror your iPhone to your Mac.

  1. Make sure the following requirements are met:
    • Your Mac has been updated to macOS Sequoia Beta 2 or later.
    • Your iPhone has been updated to iOS 18.
    • Your iPhone is near your Mac, powered on, with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled.
    • Both of your devices are logged in with the same Apple ID.
  2. Open the iPhone Mirroring app via Spotlight.
  3. Click the "Continue" button, follow the instructions to unlock your iPhone, then click the "Get Started" button.
    Start to Use iPhone Mirroring on macOS Sequoia
  4. Enter your Mac login password, select "Authenticate Automatically" when prompted, then enter your password.
    Verify and Authenticate Your Login
  5. View and control your iPhone freely.
    View and Control Your iPhone on macOS Sequoia
Notes
  1. When using iPhone Mirroring, features such as microphone, camera, and notifications on your iPhone will not be available.
  2. You need to set the frequency of the Mac login request in the next step. If you want to access your iPhone every time your Mac is unlocked, click the "Automatically Verify" button to set it up.
  3. When you use your iPhone, the iPhone Mirroring app will automatically stop working.

Related Article: iPhone Mirroring Not Working on macOS Sequoia? 7 Fixes

How to Screen Mirror iPhone to Mac with Screen Sharing

On other macOS and iOS versions, the most efficient way to mirror your iPhone to your Mac is to use the iPhone's built-in feature, Screen Sharing.

Here's how:

  1. Open the "Control Center" on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on the "Screen Mirroring" button and select your Mac.
  3. To stop mirroring, open the "Control Center" again, then tap "Screen Mirroring > Stop Mirroring".
Screen Mirroring iPhone

How to Mirror from iPhone to Mac with AirPlay

AirPlay is a good method for mirroring your photos and videos from iPhone to Mac. It doesn't require your devices to be connected to Wi-Fi.

Here's how to AirPlay iPhone photos and videos to your Mac:

  1. Open the iPhone "Photos" app.
  2. Open a photo or video in the Photos app.
  3. Tap the "Share" button and then select "AirPlay".
  4. Tap on your Mac's name to mirror your photo or video to your Mac.
  5. To stop the airplay, click the Close button on the top left corner of your Mac screen or press the Esc key.
AirPlay iPhone to Mac
Tip
Other apps may have different steps. Look for the AirPlay icon within the app and follow the on-screen instructions to AirPlay your iPhone to your Mac.

How to Mirror iPhone to Mac with QuickTime Player

At times, you might wish to mirror your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable, and QuickTime Player can help you achieve that effortlessly.

Here's how it works:

  1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a cable.
  2. Open QuickTime Player.
  3. Click the "File" menu in QuickTime Player and choose "New Movie Recording."
    Mirror iPhone to Mac with a Cable
  4. Click the arrow icon next to the "Record" button and select your iPhone under "Screen".
  5. To record your iPhone, click the "Record" button.

How to Screen Mirror iPhone to Mac with Screen Mirroring Apps

If the above methods don't meet your needs, you can download and install a third-party screen mirroring app on your iPhone to mirror to your Mac.

Simply choose the screen mirroring app based on your needs and follow the on-screen instructions to start mirroring to your Mac.

Bonus Tip: How to Quickly Clean and Optimize Your Mac

Over time, a Mac can accumulate unnecessary files and apps. To prevent your Mac from running out of storage space and working sluggishly, it's recommended that you use BuhoCleaner to clean and optimize your Mac.

BuhoCleaner is one of the best Mac cleaners designed to clear up your Mac and keep it at blazing speed in just a few clicks. Give it a try now!

DownloadFor macOS 10.10 and above
100,000+ Satisfied Users Worldwide

Below is a video introduction to BuhoCleaner:

Conclusion

To sum up, this guide provides versatile solutions for mirroring your iPhone to your Mac. Whether you have Wi-Fi, no Wi-Fi, a cable, or prefer a cable-free method, you now have the tools for a seamless mirroring experience.

By the way, BuhoCleaner, as mentioned earlier, is a highly recommended Mac cleaner, ideal for regular Mac cleaning and maintenance. If you haven't tried it yet, click the download button below and give it a go!

Clare Phang has been captivated by the world of Apple products since the launch of the iconic iPhone in 2007. With a wealth of experience, Clare is your go-to source for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and all things Apple.