iPhone Mirroring times out or does not connect

iPhone Mirroring needs the same Apple Account on both devices, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, and a locked iPhone near the Mac. Some Mac features and network software stop it.

Fix this with your agentCopies a prompt for Claude Code, Codex or any agent that can use Terminal.

My Mac has this problem: iPhone Mirroring times out or does not connect. Read https://kilobat.app/guides/iphone-mirroring-not-connecting.md and work through it with me. Install the Kilobat CLI if it’s missing: brew install seifip/kilobat/kilobat. Run the guide’s Terminal and kilobat checks yourself and tell me what you find. List the steps only I can do. Ask before you change any setting.

Applies to: macOS Sequoia 15 and later on a Mac with Apple silicon or the Apple T2 Security Chip, with iOS 18 and later.Checked: 7 November 2026

Symptoms

  • iPhone Mirroring shows that the connection timed out.
  • The app cannot find the iPhone, or it waits and then stops.
  • The connection starts and then drops.
  • iPhone Mirroring does not appear, or it is not available.

Likely causes

  • A requirement is not met. Apple asks for the same Apple Account with two-factor authentication, a passcode on the iPhone, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices.
  • The iPhone is unlocked or far away. The iPhone must be locked and near the Mac. It can charge and use StandBy. Mirroring stops when you use the iPhone.
  • The Mac uses a feature that conflicts. Apple says that the Mac must not share its internet connection, use AirPlay or use Sidecar.
  • VPN, security software or the firewall. Apple says to check for VPN or third-party security software, and that the firewall does not block all incoming connections.
  • Heavy wireless use or interference. Apple says to stop heavy Bluetooth or Wi-Fi use, such as streaming to another device.
  • Region. Apple says that iPhone Mirroring is currently unavailable in the European Union.

How to check

  1. Make sure that the Mac and the iPhone use the same Apple Account.

  2. On both devices, make sure that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on.

  3. Lock the iPhone. Put it near the Mac.

  4. On the Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > Sharing. Look at Internet Sharing.

  5. Make sure that the Mac does not use AirPlay or Sidecar now.

  6. Show whether the firewall blocks all incoming connections.

    /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --getblockall

  7. Look for a VPN app or a VPN connection that is on.

How to fix it

  1. Turn off Internet Sharing, AirPlay and Sidecar on the Mac.

  2. Turn off the VPN or the security software for a test. Try iPhone Mirroring again.

  3. If Block all incoming connections is on, turn it off in Network > Firewall > Options.

  4. Stop streaming or large transfers on either device.

  5. Install the latest macOS and iOS updates. Restart both devices.

  6. In iPhone Mirroring, choose iPhone Mirroring > Settings. Click Revoke iPhone Access.

  7. Set up iPhone Mirroring again.

  8. If nothing works, sign out of the Apple Account on each device. Restart, then sign in again.

With Kilobat

  1. Show whether a VPN is on. If it is, turn it off for a test.

    kilobat vpn

  2. Show Bluetooth devices and whether they share 2.4 GHz with Wi-Fi.

    kilobat bluetooth

  3. Show the Wi-Fi band, channel and signal of the Mac.

    kilobat wifi

  4. If you paused AirDrop's link with Kilobat, restore it. Apple does not say which link iPhone Mirroring uses.

    kilobat low-latency off

Questions

Does iPhone Mirroring work in the EU?

Apple says that iPhone Mirroring is currently unavailable in the European Union.

Can I use more than one Mac?

Apple says that only one Mac and one iPhone can pair for mirroring at a time.

Must Personal Hotspot be off?

Apple's iPhone Mirroring page does not list Personal Hotspot. It lists Internet Sharing, AirPlay and Sidecar on the Mac.

Where do I choose the iPhone?

In macOS Tahoe 26.4 and later, use System Settings > General > AirDrop & Continuity. Earlier, use Desktop & Dock.

Sources

Checked on 7 November 2026.