How to connect iphone with macbook air

The connectivity is a great asset of the iPhone that makes iOS devices distinct from the rest. Apple allows its users to screen-cast their iOS devices to each other and mirror their iPhone to their Mac computer.

The latest versions of Apple with iOS 15 have made screen mirroring simple and intuitive. In just a few simple steps, the users can connect their iPhones to Mac computers and share content on both these devices. Given below are 4 easy methods to mirror iPhone to Mac and display content simultaneously.

• Part 1 : Check Requirements and Set Up Continuity to Connect iPhone and Mac
• Part 2 : Screen Mirroring iPhone to MacBook with QuickTime Player (USB Needed)
• Part 3 : Mirror iPhone to MacBook with AirDroid Cast (Wireless)
  
• Part 4 : Cast iPhone to Mac with ApowerMirror (Wi-Fi Needed)
• Part 5 : Airplay iPhone to MacBook with Reflector (Wi-Fi and Receiver Needed)
• Part 6 : Comparison among QuickTime, AirDroid Cast, ApowerMirror, Reflector
• Part 7 : FAQs about Mirror iPhone to Mac

Part 1 : Check Requirements and Set Up Continuity to Connect iPhone and Mac

To share screens between different iOS/macOS/tvOS devices, Apple has developed a wireless communication protocol stack/suite named AirPlay. It allows users to mirror their iPhones and display their desired content on Mac, Apple TV, or different popular smart TVs.

However, not every iOS device does support AirPlay. Hence, you need to check system requirements for continuity for screen mirroring iPhone to MacBook via AirPlay. You can share a screen if you have an iPhone with iOS 14 or later along with a MacBook with macOS Monterey or later. Given below are different types of iPhones, iPad, and MacBooks that support the screen mirroring feature:

Part 2 : Screen Mirroring iPhone to MacBook with QuickTime Player (USB Needed)

QuickTime player is an easy method to screen mirror iPhone to MacBook. This versatile app is pre-installed on every Mac and allows users to play their favorite movies on Mac, record screen videos, and convert audio and video files quite easily. Now, to do all these, you will absolutely need a USB cable.

Steps to mirror iPhone to MacBook using QuickTime:

1. Run QuickTime Player on your MacBook.
2. Connect the iPhone to MacBook via a Lightning-to-USB cable.
3. Unlock your iPhone and press the Trust button to enable accessibility from Mac.
4. Once both devices have been connected, you can mirror your iPhone screen to Mac and share, display, or edit audio and video files with QuickTime Player.
5. Under the File menu of QuickTime Player and click on New Screen Recording.

6. Finally, switch the FaceTime HD Camera to iPhone so that QuickTime can use your Mac’s camera and mirror screen.

Part 3 : Mirror iPhone to MacBook with AirDroid Cast (Wireless)

AirDroid Cast is a user-friendly wireless tool to screencast a smartphone to a computer. The application works on multiple platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. It is one of the easiest ways to AirPlay the iPhone to MacBook without bringing the two devices closed to each other or installing receiver. It allows you to mirror iPhone to MacBook by WLAN, AirPlay or using a USB cable.

Steps to mirror iPhone to MacBook using AirDroid Cast AirPlay Feature:

1. Download and install AirDroid Cast on your MacBook, launch it and ensure the AirPlay Server is running.

2. Connect your iPhone and MacBook to the same Wi-Fi connection.

3. Open Control Center on your iPhone and click on Screen Mirroring.

4. From the list, select your MacBook named AirDroid Cast – MacBook.



5. When both devices have been connected, their screens will be shared. Start enjoying content from your iPhone on the big screen of your MacBook.

Part 4 : Cast iPhone to Mac with ApowerMirror (Wi-Fi Needed)

Of all screen mirroring apps available online, ApowerMirror is the most diverse one-to-screen mirror from iPhone to MacBook. Like AirDroid Cast, ApowerMirror is also cross-platform and works fine on multiple operating systems. Besides screen mirroring, the tool has several other features such as screen recording and controlling the phone via computer.

Steps to mirror iPhone to MacBook with ApowerMirror:

1. Download and install ApowerMirror on your iPhone and MacBook. Connect both these devices to the same Wi-Fi connection.
2. Launch the ApowerMirror app on both your iPhone and MacBook. Click the blue “M” button on your iPhone to initiate the connection between two devices.
3. In your iPhone, tap the name of your MacBook and select phone screen mirroring.
4. Go to the Control Center on your iPhone and click on Screen Mirroring.
5. Finally, click on the name of the MacBook and start casting your iPhone screen to MacBook.

Part 5 : Airplay iPhone to MacBook with Reflector (Wi-Fi and Receiver Needed)

Reflector is a cross-platform, multi-functional, and easy-to-use screen mirroring app to wirelessly share iPhone screens with other devices. Reflector can receive screen mirroring connections from Google Cast, Miracast, and AirPlay. You can even deny connection to authorized users with ease.

Steps to cast iPhone to MacBook with Reflector:

1. Download and install Reflector on your MacBook. If you haven’t purchased it, you can use a free trial for 7 days without paying anything.
2. Connect your iPhone and MacBook to the same Wi-Fi connection.
3. Go to the Control Center on your iPhone and click on the Screen Mirroring option.
4. A list of devices would appear on your iPhone screen. Find your MacBook from the list and tap its name.
5. Below the MacBook name, click on the mirroring toggle to begin mirroring your iPhone.
6. Once both devices are connected, your iPhone screen will start mirroring on MacBook. Start enjoying live streaming, audio-only streaming, and much more.

Part 6 : Comparison among QuickTime, AirDroid Cast, ApowerMirror, Reflector

Although all screen mirroring apps are highly efficient, they have different features and have their own strengths and weaknesses. Given below is a detailed comparison of QuickTime, AirDroid Cast, ApowerMirror, and Reflector:

Comparison	QuickTime	AirDroid Cast	ApowerMirror	Reflector
Pros	Pre-installed and easily accessible.	Free available with screen mirroring Android/iOS/Win/Mac to PC under the same Wi-Fi. Gives full control over smartphone.	Turns computer into the mobile device. Easily manage your phone.	Elegant UI design and easy integration. Supports multiple platforms.
Cons	Limited functionality. Only supports .mov.	No screenshots and videos features.	Mirror quality drops sometimes.	Compatibility and stability problems.
Price	Free	$27.99/year	$79.95/year	$33.99/year
Rating	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5

QuickTime
Pros	Pre-installed and easily accessible.
Cons	Limited functionality. Only supports .mov.
Price	Free
Rating	1 2 3 4 5

AirDroid Cast
Pros	Free available with screen mirroring Android/iOS/Win/Mac to PC under the same Wi-Fi. Gives full control over smartphone.
Cons	No screenshots and videos features.
Price	$27.99/year
Rating	1 2 3 4 5

ApowerMirror
Pros	Turns computer into the mobile device. Easily manage your phone.
Cons	Mirror quality drops sometimes.
Price	$79.95/year
Rating	1 2 3 4 5

Reflector 4
Pros	Elegant UI design and easy integration. Supports multiple platforms.
Cons	Compatibility and stability problems.
Price	$33.99/year
Rating	1 2 3 4 5

Based on the above comparison of different screen mirroring apps’ features, pros & cons, pricing, and user rating, it can be concluded that AirDroid Cast and Reflector are the best in terms of functionality and pricing. These apps offer security feature that is exclusive and supported by a few apps only.

Conclusion

Both wireless and cable methods can be used to mirror iPhone to Mac. The four most commonly used screen mirroring apps are QuickTime Player, AirDroid Cast, ApowerMirror, and Reflector.
Among them, AirDroid Cast is the best app in terms of functionality, pricing, and usability. Try it for free and start to mirror your iPhone to your MacBook now!

FAQs about Mirror iPhone to Mac

How to use Apple AirPlay to mirror your iPhone to Mac?

Follow these simple tips to mirror iPhone to Mac using AirPlay:

1. Connect your iPhone and Mac to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On your iPhone, go to the Control Center and tap the Screen Mirroring option.
3. A list of devices would appear on your iPhone screen. From that list, select your Mac.
4. An AirPlay passcode would appear on the Mac screen. Enter that passcode on your iPhone to connect both these devices.
5. Start enjoying the content on your iPhone on the large screen of your Mac.

How do I turn on/off screen mirroring on Mac?

Simply open the Control Center in your iPhone and tap Screen Mirroring to start screencasting on Mac. To turn it off, press the Stop Mirroring button.

Why is my screen sharing not working on Mac?

Try the following 7 troubleshootings if screen sharing is now working on your Mac:

1. Enable screen sharing and recording access on your Mac.
2. Log in to your Mac from your Administrator Account.
3. Make sure both your iPhone and Mac are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. Extend the display sleep timeout on your Mac.
5. Update and restart the AirPlay app or your Mac.
6. Change your firewall settings.
7. If none of these methods worked, contact Apple Support.

Can you AirPlay from MacBook to iMac?

The answer is yes, you can go to the Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Sharing, select Screen Sharing, then note the name and address of the Mac. Key in your username and password for the MacBook, and you will be connected.

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