--- title: "iPhone Mirroring not connecting or timed out on Mac: fixes · Kilobat Guides" url: "https://kilobat.app/guides/iphone-mirroring-not-connecting" description: "iPhone Mirroring on the Mac says it timed out, or it cannot find the iPhone. Check Apple's requirements, the Mac's sharing features, VPN and the firewall." --- # 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 agent**Copies 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 - [Apple Support: iPhone Mirroring: Use your iPhone from your Mac](https://support.apple.com/en-us/120421) - [Apple Support: Continuity features and requirements for Apple devices](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102418) - [Apple Support: Change Firewall settings on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-firewall-preferences-on-mac-mh11783/mac) - socketfilterfw(8), man page installed with macOS 27.2 Checked on 7 November 2026. ## Related guides - [Handoff or Universal Clipboard is not working](https://kilobat.app/guides/handoff-universal-clipboard-not-working): Handoff and Universal Clipboard need the same Apple Account, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, Handoff on, and devices near each other. - [Sidecar or Universal Control keeps disconnecting](https://kilobat.app/guides/sidecar-universal-control-disconnects): Sidecar and Universal Control need the same Apple Account, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Handoff on, and devices within 10 metres. - [The macOS firewall blocks incoming connections](https://kilobat.app/guides/macos-firewall-incoming): The macOS firewall controls connections that other computers start to your Mac. - [Bluetooth headphones and Wi-Fi interference on a Mac](https://kilobat.app/guides/bluetooth-wifi-interference): Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi use the same radio band.