Mirror my iPhoneiPhone Mirroring alternatives for Mac compared
Updated October 9, 2026 · Written by the developer of Mirror my iPhone
Apple's iPhone Mirroring is wireless and polished, but it isn't available in the EU, needs macOS Sequoia and iOS 18, and has no API. Here are the other ways to see and control your iPhone from a Mac, and when each one fits.
Short answer: to see and control your iPhone where Apple's feature doesn't work (the EU, macOS 13 or 14, Intel Macs without a T2 chip) or to let an AI agent use it, use Mirror my iPhone: free, open source, over USB. To only see the screen, QuickTime Player is already on your Mac.
| Apple iPhone Mirroring | Mirror my iPhone | QuickTime Player | AirPlay receiver apps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| See the iPhone's screen | Yes | Yes, up to 60 FPS | Yes | Yes |
| Control with mouse and trackpad | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Works in the EU | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mac | macOS 15 Sequoia+, Apple silicon or T2 chip | macOS 13 Ventura+, Apple silicon or Intel | Built into macOS | Depends on the app |
| Connection | Wireless | USB cable | USB cable | Wi-Fi |
| Use the iPhone in your hand at the same time | No, it stays locked | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Type with your Mac keyboard | Yes | Not yet | No | No |
| API for AI agents | No | MCP, CLI, HTTP | No | No |
| Price | Built in | Free, open source | Built in | Mostly paid |
Apple iPhone Mirroring
Built into macOS Sequoia 15 and later. It mirrors your iPhone wirelessly, lets you use it with your mouse, trackpad and keyboard, shows iPhone notifications on your Mac and supports drag and drop between the two.
Best for: anyone outside the EU with a recent Mac and iPhone who wants it wireless.
Limits: not available in the EU; needs macOS 15, iOS 18, a Mac with Apple silicon or a T2 chip and the same Apple Account on both; the iPhone stays locked while you use it; no API for scripts or agents.
Mirror my iPhone
A free, open-source Mac app. It shows your iPhone over USB at up to 60 FPS, using the same video stream QuickTime Player records, and you control it with your mouse and trackpad through Apple's developer tools (WebDriverAgent). Home, Lock and volume are on the toolbar, and iPhone audio plays on the Mac. AI agents get an MCP server, a CLI and an HTTP API.
Best for: the EU, macOS 13 Ventura and 14 Sonoma, Intel Macs, developers, and letting AI agents use an iPhone.
Limits: needs a USB cable; the iPhone's screen has to stay on; touch control needs Xcode (free) and Developer Mode; no typing from the Mac keyboard yet; Mac only.
QuickTime Player
Already on every Mac. Connect your iPhone by USB, open QuickTime Player, choose File › New Movie Recording, click the arrow next to the record button and pick your iPhone. You'll see and can record its screen.
Best for: recording an iPhone screen or showing it during a call.
Limits: view only: you can't tap or type from the Mac.
AirPlay receiver apps
Apps such as Reflector or AirServer make your Mac an AirPlay receiver, so you can pick it under Screen Mirroring in your iPhone's Control Center.
Best for: presenting an iPhone wirelessly.
Limits: AirPlay only sends the picture, so you can't control the iPhone from the Mac. Most of these apps are paid.
Which one should you use?
- In the EU and want control: Mirror my iPhone.
- On macOS 13 or 14, or an Intel Mac without a T2 chip: Mirror my iPhone.
- Want an AI agent to use your iPhone: Mirror my iPhone. It is the only one here with an API, so agents don't need computer use.
- Outside the EU, on macOS 15 or later, and want it wireless: Apple's iPhone Mirroring.
- Only need to show or record the screen: QuickTime Player, or an AirPlay app for wireless.
FAQ
What is the best alternative to Apple's iPhone Mirroring?
To see and control your iPhone from a Mac where Apple's iPhone Mirroring isn't available, such as in the EU or on macOS 13 and 14, use Mirror my iPhone: it is free, open source and works over USB. If you only need to see the screen, QuickTime Player is built into macOS.
Can I mirror my iPhone to my Mac for free?
Yes. QuickTime Player shows your iPhone's screen over USB for free but can't control it. Mirror my iPhone is free and open source and lets you control the iPhone with your mouse and trackpad.
Can I control my iPhone from my Mac without iPhone Mirroring?
Yes. Mirror my iPhone lets you tap, swipe, scroll and long-press with your mouse and trackpad over a USB cable, without Apple's iPhone Mirroring. AirPlay receiver apps and QuickTime Player only show the screen.
Is there an iPhone Mirroring alternative for older Macs?
Yes. Apple's iPhone Mirroring needs macOS 15 Sequoia and a Mac with Apple silicon or a T2 chip. Mirror my iPhone runs on macOS 13 Ventura or later, on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.
Which iPhone mirroring app works with AI agents?
Mirror my iPhone includes an MCP server, a CLI and a local HTTP API, so agents like Claude can see and control the iPhone directly. Apple's iPhone Mirroring, QuickTime Player and AirPlay apps have no API, so an agent could only use them through computer use.
Try Mirror my iPhone
Free and open source. See and control your iPhone from your Mac, in any country.