iPhone Mirroring not working on Mac

Also tried logging out of Apple ID on both iPhone and Mac without success. There was also some commands in Terminal used to restart something related and remove a ~/Library .plist file. Didn't help.

Couple odd things I notice that both devices have no entries for each other in their mirroring Settings:

Example is iOS Settings -> General -> AirPlay & Continuity -> iPhone Mirroring. There is no iPhone Mirroring there let alone a reference to my Mac.

Similarly, there's no reference to my iPhone in my Mac Settings -> Desktop & Dock -> Widgets -> iPhone.

See steps 7 / 8 on this webpage.

I've been searching the web everyday for any help and still no luck.

I found the most comprehensive iPhone Mirroring help page that will hopefully help others.

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iPHONE / MAC BLUETOOTH PAIRING

One thing that still confuses me is the fact that my iPhone won't connect via Bluetooth to either of my Macbook Pros (13" 2017 Intel and 14" M3 2024). Specifically, the MacBooks never sees the iPhone in Mac OS Bluetooth Settings panel. But my iPhone WILL see both of my MacBooks in the Other Devices section of its Bluetooth Settings. However, I always get an error when selecting my MacBook: Pairing Unsuccessful.

This has been the case over at least a few years across multiple devices so I doubt it's an issue. Also, according to various forum posts from "Apple engineers" there is no need for direct Bluetooth Pairing between iPhones / Macs since Big Sur OS. Nowadays it's lower level access and many system services connect via Bluetooth without having to manually pair them.

Ok but it's odd that I can see my MacBooks in my iPhone Bluetooth Other Devices at all then. If there's no need to pair them, I don't see why Apple engineers would allow my MacBook to show up on the iPhone only to fail permanently. Ugh.

[sad trombone] After updating both devices (MacOS 15.2 / iOS 18.2), I still have no mirroring connection to my iPhone. lol.

I did try a valid test in 2 ways recently. My usual WiFi network is a bit complex with a bridged modem, multi-node mesh wireless system in bridge (or access point) mode, and a Firewalla network controller for DHCP that places all devices on a monitored sub-network.

First, I bypassed all that by turning on WiFi in modem and using its primary network/DHCP sans mesh nodes and Firewalla. Second, I stayed at an Airbnb with a totally basic network of a single cable modem that handles everything.

In both instances, the same dead iPhone Mirroring problem results. Both my phone and computer are on same WiFi network, bluetooth on for both, phone in standby mode is next to MacBook, and both signed in to same iCloud/Apple ID account.

Looks like this is another example of too much complexity for one of the biggest companies in the world. Luckily this is at least somewhat rare with Apple.

Unable to Revoke iPhone Access

Revoking iPhone access failed message appears. I had this working a while ago, haven't used it until iOS 18.2 and Sequoia 15.2 updates earlier this week and it doesn't work anymore

I cannot any longer show my iPhone screen on either my iPad or my MacBook Air, which is very annoying when I want to show photos to someone on a different device. It always used to work and for some reason it’s now suddenly stopped. I can mirror onto my LG TV, just not my other Apple devices. Very frustrating.

I'm having the exact same experience since the 18.2/15.2 updates - it worked earlier in the lifecycle so my phone was paired, but when I try the revoke access suggestion I also get the 'Unable to Revoke Access' error. Similar to above, the paired phone is not listed below Use iPhone widgets (the whole line is missing), and the iPhone Mirroring toggle is nowhere to be found in the phone settings. Following this thread for some hopeful resolution!

After updating to iOS 18.3 (iPhone 13 Pro) and MacOS 15.3 (MacBook M3 Pro), I still get nuthin. Both devices comply with all of the requirements (as my devices always have across all tests for months now). Lameness.

I'm not running any VPNs. There simply never has been a connection in any way so I can't even revoke my iPhone in iPhone Mirroring Settings to try again.

Glad you have success. Tried it and was looking good, but then, iPhone in use please lock it message appeared, then please unlock iPhone message to connect, cannot connect iPhone in use please lock it message…. 😵‍💫 Tried to revoke but that failed, please try later message. I give up. Not worth the hassle. Apple…fail 👎🏻

Experiencing the same problem.

I'm so enjoying the anticipation of downloading public MacOS 15.2 and iOS 18.2 and patiently wondering: Is it really going to fix the problem? ...🫠

Absolutely same finding using ExpressVPN.

Bummer, this STILL did not work for me: iOS > Settings > General > Airplay and Continuity > Set Automatically Airplay to "Ask".

Won’t allow revoke, error message pops up

Glad it worked for you but unfortunately not working for me. Says phone locked, so after unlocking phone it then says phone in use. Perpetual loop of madness