iPhone Mirroring, one of the most notable features arriving in Apple’s upcoming operating systems, is now available to developers testing beta versions of iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. The latest beta versions include support for mirroring your iPhone directly to your Mac, so you can use your phone on your PC, including launching and running iPhone apps, and even transferring files between your Mac and iPhone.
First announced at Apple’s Developer Conference (WWDC) earlier in June, iPhone Mirroring makes it easier for consumers to use Mac apps and iPhone apps side-by-side. In a demo at the event, for example, Apple showed how a video edited with Final Cut Pro can be dropped into a template for further adjustments on the iPhone. To prepare for this interoperability, Apple released Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 and Final Cut Camera, as well as updates to Final Cut Pro for Mac.
Another use case for iPhone Mirroring is the ability to use your iPhone apps without having to unlock your phone. With mirroring, iPhone notifications are also displayed on your Mac desktop so you can respond to alerts in different apps. Apple said at WWDC that audio for the iPhone will also come to the Mac.
Developers who often showcase their apps to others over video calls or during live presentations will be able to switch to their iPhones more easily.
When your iPhone is mirrored to a Mac, the physical device remains locked, so there’s no risk of someone accessing the phone without your permission, even if you leave it in a bag across the room.
Apple said the feature also works with standby mode, so you can see information at a glance when copying.
Although public betas are still weeks away, and the new operating systems won’t officially launch until later this fall, iPhone Mirroring is now available to developers testing the second beta of iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia beta 2.
Consumers are warned against installing developer betas on their flagship devices as they are often unstable and still somewhat buggy. This seems to be true with the second beta as well, as with the testers Reports preparation Problems related to battery life, phone overheating, and other malfunctions.