The much-anticipated iPhone Mirroring feature, a highlight of Apple’s upcoming operating systems, is now accessible to developers testing the beta versions of iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. These latest beta releases now offer support for mirroring your iPhone directly onto your Mac, allowing you to seamlessly use your phone on your computer. This includes the ability to launch and run iPhone apps, as well as transfer files between your Mac and iPhone.
Unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, iPhone Mirroring simplifies the process of using both Mac and iPhone apps side by side. During a demo at WWDC, Apple showcased how a video clip edited with Final Cut Pro could be seamlessly transferred to an iPhone for further editing. To facilitate this level of interoperability, Apple released Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 and Final Cut Camera, in addition to updates for Final Cut Pro for Mac.
Another practical scenario for iPhone Mirroring is the convenience of accessing your iPhone apps without needing to unlock your device. Not only are iPhone notifications displayed on the Mac desktop for easy access, but iPhone audio will also be routed through the Mac, as demonstrated at WWDC.
Developers who frequently present their apps over video calls or live demonstrations will find it easier to switch to their iPhones with this feature. Additionally, with the iPhone being mirrored on the Mac, the physical device remains locked, ensuring privacy and security even when the phone is in close proximity but out of reach.
iPhone Mirroring even works in Standby mode, allowing users to quickly glance at important information when mirroring their device. While public betas are still several weeks away and the official launch of the new operating systems is expected later this fall, developers testing the iOS 18 beta 2 and macOS Sequoia beta 2 can now explore the capabilities of iPhone Mirroring.
However, consumers are cautioned against installing developer betas on their main devices due to potential instability and bugs. Reports from testers of the second beta version indicate issues with battery life, device overheating, and occasional crashes.
