I plugged my iPhone into my 2019 27" iMac. It automatically downloaded iPhone Mirroring app to my computer. But when I clicked on the app, I got an error message saying it's "Not Supported." I now want to remove that app but it won't let me--I can't drag it to the trash, and if I right-click it, it does not show me "Move to Trash." Any suggestions? It's wasting 8 GB of space on my computer I'd rather free up. Thanks!
The iPhone Mirroring app is part of the Sequoia and later OS install and cannot be deleted. It is not a separate download. The app is supported on the Mac where it is installed with Sequoia or Later, but will only work with phones that are using iOS 18 or later and is not supported in the EU due to DMA rules.
All apps/system files included in the OS install are locked on a Read Only partition of your HD, which makes anything there not deletable. That is also why you cannot delete the Chess app, even if you never use it.
Are you sure you are seeing it take up 8GB of space, mine is only using 10MB and not even a blip in my storage.
The iPhone Mirroring app is part of the Sequoia and later OS install and cannot be deleted. It is not a separate download. The app is supported on the Mac where it is installed with Sequoia or Later, but will only work with phones that are using iOS 18 or later and is not supported in the EU due to DMA rules.
All apps/system files included in the OS install are locked on a Read Only partition of your HD, which makes anything there not deletable. That is also why you cannot delete the Chess app, even if you never use it.
Are you sure you are seeing it take up 8GB of space, mine is only using 10MB and not even a blip in my storage.
+ 1
The iPhone Mirroring app is only taking up 8.9 MB on my system.
The iPhone Mirroring app is preinstalled in macOS and can not be deleted.
If the iPhone Mirroring app is open on your Dock, simple Quit and/or Remove it from you Dock.
If you want to make changes, see > iPhone Mirroring: Use your iPhone from your Mac - Apple Support
Apple lists the system requirements for iPhone Mirroring here:
As the others have said, you cannot delete the application. Like most applications included with macOS, it resides on a signed, sealed system volume that is hardened against tampering, whether by malware, or by you.
There are a few bundled applications that you can install from the App Store, and presumably can delete from your Mac. These are Pages, Numbers, Keynote, GarageBand, and iMovie.
Thanks. You're all correct about me not being able to delete that app. FYI, it was NOT part of any OS update I had. I had just plugged in my iPhone (16 Pro Max-iOS 26) into my 2019 iMac 27" desktop (Sequoia 15.7.7), and suddenly that Phone Mirroring software automatically downloaded, but when I opened it, it said my computer won't support it. Anyway, I guess the unusable software will have to remain. I was mistaken about the file size--I looked at it quickly and thought it read 8 GB when it was actually 8 MB). Appreciate all your input. I'm now well-informed!
What happened when you connected the iPhone to the 2019 iMac was normal.
You got a small update to help macOS Sequoia support the iPhone's newer iOS version.
see > If your Mac says that a software update is required to connect to iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
Unable to remove iPhone Mirroring app from iMac
