Support
Let’s get you connected.
Practical help for the connection, the picture, and everything in between.
Getting started
MeowDisplay is currently available from source. Begin with the setup guide for system requirements, building, permissions, and your first connection.
Keep the receiver app open. Check that both devices run compatible builds before troubleshooting a connection.
Pairing
Compare the code on both devices and accept only when it matches. If a previously trusted device unexpectedly shows Pair, restart both apps first. If the problem persists, deliberately forget the device and pair again.
Never accept an unexpected pairing request without checking both screens.
Mirror & Extend
Black screen: check the Mac’s Screen Recording permission and confirm the stream is connected and not paused.
Mirror unavailable: an active physical display is required. A closed laptop without an active external display may not provide one. Choose Extend instead; it creates its own display and needs no dummy adapter.
Session stops when the lid closes: for clamshell use, keep the MacBook connected to power, and use Extend on your iPhone or iPad.
Extend unavailable: enable video capture. Open Displays, choose Extend, and use Arrange Displays… to check where the extra screen sits.
Audio
Confirm the session is connected and playing, then check receiver volume and Mac audio output. Audio is started by the receiving device; the Mac’s Streaming settings report its state. Reconnect if the receiver is showing an old frame rather than a live session.
Input & gestures
Grant Accessibility permission on the Mac, enable Allow Input, and resume any paused stream. Tap and drag use one finger; scrolling uses two. A three-finger tap opens Spotlight.
If input still fails, reopen the apps after changing permissions. Include the gesture or keyboard action and whether you were in Mirror or Extend when reporting a problem.
USB & local network
USB: try a data-capable cable and another port. Unlock the device and accept Trust This Computer.
Wi-Fi: allow Local Network access on both devices, keep the receiver open, and confirm both are on the same network. Guest-network isolation or firewall rules can prevent discovery or connection.
The route label describes the active path: USB, LAN, or nearby peer-to-peer AWDL. Note it when reporting a problem.
Remote Access & wake
Check that your private network shows both devices online and that the saved remote endpoint is current. A reachable address does not replace trusted pairing.
Wake & Connect needs supported hardware and Wake for Network Access. Local Wake-on-LAN cannot pass through an unreachable sleeping Mac’s own Tailscale connection. Remote wake needs a separate device or router on its LAN.
Cold boot and a fully logged-out Mac are outside the current supported session workflow. See Remote Access setup.
Report a problem
On the Mac, use Logs to reveal the diagnostic files. On iOS, open Settings & Help → Connection log, or shake the device.
Before sharing, remove private endpoints, identifiers, device names, and personal content.
- App build and macOS/iOS version.
- Mac and receiver models, mode, and active route.
- What you did, what you expected, and what actually happened.
- Whether restarting or reconnecting changes the result.
Security reporting
Found a security or privacy vulnerability? Please don’t open a public GitHub issue. Use GitHub’s private Report a vulnerability flow for the MeowDisplay repository instead.
Open the MeowDisplay repository’s Security page, then choose Report a vulnerability. Only maintainers can see what you send. The security policy explains what to include.
Where to go
- Bugs and feature requests: a public GitHub issue.
- General help: this page and Setup.
- Security or privacy vulnerabilities: GitHub’s private vulnerability reporting, as above.
For how MeowDisplay stores and sends data, read Privacy.