Photo credit: www.engadget.com
With the introduction of macOS Sequoia and iOS 18, Apple has enhanced the efficiency of switching between devices in a desktop environment through the new iPhone Mirroring feature. This tool allows users to display their iPhone screens directly on their Macs, enabling interaction via mouse and keyboard. Here’s a guide on how to set up and maximize the iPhone Mirroring experience.
Requirements
To utilize iPhone Mirroring, certain prerequisites must be met. This feature is compatible exclusively with Apple Silicon Macs released in late 2020 or later and Intel-based models equipped with the Apple T2 Security Chip made between 2018 and 2020. Users must also have macOS Sequoia installed. On the iPhone side, any device running iOS 18 is sufficient.
The mirroring function operates only when the iPhone is locked, although it may still function if the device is charging or utilizing Standby mode. If unlocked during the mirroring session, the connection will temporarily disconnect.
Connectivity requirements include enabling both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on each device, alongside signing in with the same Apple Account. Importantly, two-factor authentication must be enabled through a trusted device or phone number. The feature will not work if your iPhone’s Personal Hotspot is activated or if AirPlay, Sidecar, or internet sharing is being used on your Mac.
How to Set Up iPhone Mirroring
Begin by launching the iPhone Mirroring application on your Mac, which should be conveniently located in your Dock or in the Applications folder.
Upon opening the app, a welcome screen will guide you through the initial steps. Click “Continue” and unlock your iPhone when prompted.
Next, authorize notifications from your iPhone on your Mac. This step ensures that alerts from your device are visible in the Mac’s Notification Center. You’ll be able to interact with these notifications directly through the iPhone Mirroring app, even if it’s minimized or closed.
Once notifications are approved, a final confirmation screen will appear, indicating iPhone Mirroring is ready for use. Click “Get Started” to display your iPhone screen on your Mac.
Using iPhone Mirroring
To optimize your experience, you might want to adjust the size of the iPhone Mirroring window. Apple offers three sizing options: actual size, smaller, and larger. You can cycle through these using keyboard shortcuts: larger (Cmd +), actual size (Cmd 0), and smaller (Cmd -). Resizing through the standard window dragging method is not available in this context.
Interacting with your virtual iPhone on your Mac generally mirrors the usual touch gestures employed on the device, allowing you to type using your Mac’s keyboard.
While traditional swipe gestures for functions like the Home screen or App Switcher are unavailable, you can access these features through shortcuts. Hovering your pointer at the top of the window reveals buttons for the iOS Home Screen and the App Switcher. Navigating home can also be achieved by clicking the horizontal bar at the bottom of the window or using the Cmd 1 shortcut. Other commands include Cmd 2 for App Switcher and Cmd 3 for Spotlight, plus a two-finger swipe down on the trackpad from the iPhone Home Screen for Spotlight access.
It’s worth noting that you cannot access the iOS Control Center from your Mac, and while screen orientation cannot be manually adjusted, it will automatically rotate if a game requiring landscape mode is launched.
While using iPhone Mirroring, audio from your iPhone will route through your Mac, and many videos will display directly in the Mirroring window. However, due to copyright restrictions, some content may only be viewable through other macOS applications or browser windows.
Apple’s Universal Clipboard enhances functionality, allowing you to copy and paste between your virtual iPhone and Mac seamlessly. Additionally, AirDrop can be used for file transfers between the devices during mirroring.
If the virtual iPhone remains inactive for a period, the connection may time out, especially if the iPhone is moved beyond the effective range. Reconnecting is straightforward and guided by prompts in the app.
iPhone Mirroring Login Settings
Within the Mac application, users can choose their authentication preference for iPhone Mirroring sessions. By selecting iPhone Mirroring > Settings from the menu bar (or by using Cmd space), options are presented in a simple settings interface.
Users can opt for “Ask Every Time,” which requests a password, Touch ID, or Apple Watch confirmation for each new session, or “Authenticate Automatically,” which bypasses the need for repeated authentication.
Additionally, there is an option to reset iPhone access, erasing the current setup and necessitating a complete reconfiguration on subsequent uses of the app.
For those with multiple iPhones linked to the same Apple Account, there is an option under Settings > Desktop & Dock on the Mac to select the preferred device for mirroring. This option appears only if multiple iPhones are present; otherwise, it will not be visible.
For further information regarding the latest offerings from Apple, readers are encouraged to explore in-depth reviews of the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro series, alongside the newest MacBook models.
Source
www.engadget.com