A little setup.
A little more space.

Current availability

Available from source. Public release builds are being prepared. There is no public download or App Store release yet. You can build MeowDisplay from source on GitHub.

Mac-to-iPhone is the primary tested experience. iPad and the standalone Mac receiver exist but need broader hardware validation.

Build & install

You’ll need a Mac, Xcode with a Swift 6 toolchain, XcodeGen, and an Apple Developer account for signing on a physical iPhone or iPad.

1. Get the source from the MeowDisplay repository.
2. Follow the repository’s setup guide for project generation and signing. Local signing configuration is checkout-specific; it is not included in a fresh clone.
3. Build the Mac sender and iPhone/iPad receiver in Xcode. The current scheme names are OpenSidecarMac and OpenSidecariOS.
4. Launch both apps and keep the receiver open.

Use a Swift 6-capable Xcode version. The older “Xcode 15+” line in the repository setup guide predates the tracked Swift 6 migration.

Permissions

On the Mac, open System Settings → Privacy & Security to review permissions.

• Screen Recording: lets MeowDisplay capture the Mac display.
• Accessibility: enables remote touch, keyboard, mouse, and gesture input.
• Local Network: allows local Wi-Fi discovery on the Mac and receiving device.

macOS shows its screen-recording indicator during capture. This is a system privacy signal.

Pair your devices

On the first connection, compare the short authentication code on both devices. Accept only when the codes match. MeowDisplay saves the trusted identity for future connections.

To deliberately reset trust, choose Forget Device in the Mac app’s device list, then pair again. If a trusted device unexpectedly shows Pair, try restarting both apps before resetting trust.

USB & local Wi-Fi

USB

Use a data-capable cable. Unlock the receiver, accept Trust This Computer if asked, and keep MeowDisplay open. No extra USB tunnel tool is required.

Local Wi-Fi

Give both apps Local Network permission and join the same local network. Select the receiving device from the Mac app. Bonjour handles discovery; nearby peer-to-peer Wi-Fi is also supported.

The active connection can be labelled USB, LAN, or AWDL. AWDL is Apple’s nearby peer-to-peer Wi-Fi path; it is not a remote internet connection. Route availability depends on the devices and network.

Mirror & Extend

Open Displays → Display Mode on the Mac.

• Mirror: shares an active physical Mac display. Select the source display when more than one is available. Mirror is unavailable without an active physical display.
• Extend: creates a separate display for the receiver. Video capture must be enabled. Use Arrange Displays… to position it in macOS.

Clamshell or no monitor: use Extend. It doesn’t need a physical display or a dummy adapter, so it works with the lid closed. For clamshell use, keep the MacBook connected to power. With no display attached, Mirror offers to switch to Extend. Headless Macs are a design goal that’s still being tested on more hardware. See Clamshell & headless.

Extend uses the private macOS CGVirtualDisplay API. The immediate Mac distribution plan is a notarized direct download.

Input & audio

Enable Allow Input on the Mac, grant Accessibility permission, and use Request Control in receiver Settings. Connecting alone never grants control. Tap to click, drag with one finger, scroll with two, or use a three-finger tap for Spotlight. Keyboard and mouse input are also supported. Pausing cancels input until the stream resumes.

System audio can stream alongside the display. The receiver starts audio; the Mac’s Streaming → Audio section reports whether it is active.

Remote Access

1. Make the Mac and receiver reachable over your private network. Tailscale is one option; sign in on both devices if you choose it.
2. Save the reachable host address and port in the app’s Remote Access settings.
3. Connect to the paired device. A saved endpoint supplies a route, while trusted pairing still supplies authentication.

The Mac needs an existing logged-in user session. MeowDisplay’s current workflow supports sleep and lock, not cold boot or a fully logged-out LoginWindow session.

MeowDisplay does not run a hosted relay. A third-party private network may use its own relays and infrastructure.

Wake & reconnect

Wake & Connect sends bounded local Wake-on-LAN packets, requests interactive wake, and attempts to recover the session. Enable Wake for Network Access on supported Mac hardware. Broader physical validation remains in progress.

A sleeping Mac’s Tailscale node cannot relay its own wake packet. Remote wake needs a router or another awake device on that Mac’s LAN. MeowDisplay does not supply an integrated remote wake relay.

Auto-Reconnect controls automatic reconnect attempts. Turning it off does not end an active session or disable manual Connect, Reconnect, or Wake & Connect.

Questions & answers

What is MeowDisplay?

MeowDisplay is a free, open-source app that turns an iPhone or iPad into a mirrored or extended display for a Mac, with touch, Trackpad, gesture, keyboard and audio support.

Can I use an iPhone as a display for my Mac?

Yes. Mac-to-iPhone is the primary tested experience. Run the Mac sender and the receiver on your iPhone, pair once, then connect.

Can I use an iPad as a display for my Mac?

Yes. The same receiver runs on iPadOS 16.4 or later, and supported iPads can use Apple Pencil. iPad still needs broader hardware validation.

Can MeowDisplay extend my Mac desktop instead of only mirroring it?

Yes. Extend creates a separate display that you arrange in macOS. Mirror shows an existing physical Mac display.

Does MeowDisplay work over USB?

Yes. Use a data-capable cable, unlock the receiver and trust the computer. No extra USB tunnel tool is required.

Does MeowDisplay work over Wi-Fi?

Yes. Both devices can connect on the same local network or over nearby peer-to-peer Wi-Fi. Remote Access works over a private network you configure, such as Tailscale.

Can I control my Mac from the iPhone or iPad?

Yes. With Allow Input enabled, Accessibility permission granted and control allowed for the current session, touch, pointer control, Mac gestures, keyboard input and the Control Tray travel back to your Mac. Connecting alone never grants control; use Request Control in receiver Settings.

Does MeowDisplay support Apple Pencil?

Yes, on supported iPads. Apple Pencil input goes back to the Mac.

Can MeowDisplay play Mac audio on the receiver?

Yes. System audio can stream from the Mac alongside the display. The receiver starts audio.

Can another Mac be used as a receiver?

Yes. A standalone Mac receiver for macOS 12 or later can show a MeowDisplay display. It needs broader hardware validation.

Does clamshell mode work?

Yes, with Extend. Extend doesn’t need a physical display or dummy adapter, so it works with the lid closed while the MacBook stays connected to power.

Does MeowDisplay require an account?

No. MeowDisplay doesn’t require a name, email address or MeowDisplay account.

Does screen, audio or input data pass through MeowDisplay servers?

No. Screen, audio and input data travel directly between your paired devices over mutually authenticated TLS 1.3. MeowDisplay runs no hosted relay or cloud service.

Is MeowDisplay open source?

Yes. The source code is available on GitHub under the GPL-3.0 license.

More help

Visit Support for troubleshooting, or read Privacy for local storage and network details.

Deeper reference: source setup, security model, and release process.