Since we released Play for macOS in 2023, we’ve had users request an iPhone simulator for their desktops. As we began to R&D the project, Apple announced something exciting—Apple’s iPhone Mirroring.
Apple’s iPhone Mirroring feature allows you to mirror your iPhone screen on your Mac and interact with it using your Mac’s keyboard, trackpad, and mouse. Even your iPhone notifications and video/audio will come through your Mac. It’s like Airplay but interactive.
What this means for Play users
While we still recommend experiencing Play prototypes directly on an iPhone, iPhone Mirroring allows you to test things quickly without moving back and forth between your desktop and phone.
How to set it up
1. In order to use Apple's new iPhone Mirroring feature, your iPhone will need to be on iOS 18 or later and your Mac will need to be running macOS Sequoia 15 or later. PLEASE NOTE: iPhone Mirroring is currently not available in the EU.
2. Open the iPhone Mirroring app on your Mac.
3. Unlock your iPhone, so a connection can be established.
4. If necessary, Select your iPhone in the Mac app’s menu
Once you can see your iPhone screen on your Mac, it is successfully connected. Your iPhone should be locked, so you need to navigate to the Play prototype using your Mac. You can read Apple's support page if you need additional setup info.
To test using iOS Connect:
Connect iPhone Mirroring
Navigate to Play for iOS using your Mac
Click Connect to macOS
Test your prototype
To test an App Clip…
Click on the App Clip link
Click “Play” on the App Clip modal
Test your prototype
We want Play to fit seamlessly into our users’ workflows, and we know some designers prefer to test their prototypes on their desktops, especially when they’re iterating quickly.
That said, we still believe that Play prototypes are best experienced in their native environment: your iPhone in your hand. That’s the only way you can properly test haptics, experience interruptible gestures, and get a sense of your prototype’s feel.
Things to keep in mind
Since iOS 18 and Sequoia are new, there may be some issues or differences with iPhone Mirroring. We’re still testing this, so please report any issues so we can log them. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Because there is only one cursor, tap triggers with multiple fingers are not possible to test with iPhone Mirroring. You’ll need to disconnect your phone from iPhone Mirroring to test on your device.
2. Similarly, you aren’t able to exit Play Mode with a two-finger press. You’ll need to disconnect your phone from iPhone Mirroring to exit.
3. You also aren’t able to reset interactions in Play Mode with a two-finger double-tap. You’ll need to disconnect your phone or turn on Auto Reload and use the “R” shortcut (see image below).
4. We're working to add an exit Play Mode and reset interactions feature in the right click menu very soon.
5. Horizontal scroll will not work using a mouse, but it should work with a trackpad.
If you’re on iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, try iPhone Mirroring today to test your Play prototype.