Can You AirPlay From Mac to iPhone?
Updated September 2026 · 2 min read
Short answer: No.
AirPlay does not support Mac-to-iPhone mirroring. iPhones can't receive AirPlay. If you want your Mac screen on your iPhone, you need a different app. Beam does it on your own WiFi for free, and from anywhere with Beam Unlimited.
What AirPlay actually supports
AirPlay can send content from a Mac, iPhone, or iPad to:
- Apple TV
- AirPlay-compatible smart TVs and displays
- HomePod (audio only)
- Another Mac (via AirPlay Receiver, macOS 12+)
An iPhone is never an AirPlay receiver. It can send, not receive. iPhones aren't designed to act as external displays and Apple has never added support for it.
What about "reverse AirPlay"?
A lot of people search for "reverse AirPlay" looking for a way to get their Mac screen onto their phone. There's no such thing. Apple doesn't support it, and no third-party app can use AirPlay to do it.
What is possible is direct streaming between your two devices, which is what Beam does: over your local WiFi at home, and over your own Tailscale network when you are away.
What works instead: Beam
Beam is two free apps built for exactly this. Beacon runs in your Mac's menu bar and captures the screen. Beam runs on your iPhone and shows it, full screen with audio.
At home it works over your local WiFi and nothing goes through the internet or any cloud. Install both apps, pair once, tap Start. Away from home, Beam Unlimited reaches your Mac over your own Tailscale network, still directly between your two devices with no Beam server in the middle. See the away-from-home guide.
How Beam compares to AirPlay
| AirPlay | Beam | |
|---|---|---|
| Mac to iPhone | Not supported | Works |
| iPhone to Mac | Works | Not the point |
| Mac to Apple TV | Works | Not the point |
| Streams audio | Yes | Yes |
| Internet required | No | No at home |
| Works away from home | Not supported | With Unlimited |
| Free | Yes (built-in) | Yes (30min/day) |
Frequently asked questions
Can you AirPlay from Mac to iPhone?
No. iPhones are AirPlay senders, not receivers. Use Beam for Mac-to-iPhone streaming.
Is there a way to stream my Mac screen to my phone?
Yes. Beam streams screen and audio over your local WiFi and is free to download. With Beam Unlimited it also works from anywhere over your own Tailscale network, including on mobile data.
Does Sidecar work on iPhone?
No. Sidecar, which turns an iPad into a second Mac display, only works on iPads. iPhones aren't supported.
Can I use my iPhone as a monitor for my Mac?
Beam lets you see your Mac screen on your iPhone. It is not an extended desktop, so you cannot move windows onto the iPhone, but it does include light controls: tap-to-click, live typing, and custom buttons for shortcuts and macros. For an extended desktop you would need an iPad and Sidecar.
Mirror your Mac to iPhone, free
Beam does what AirPlay can't. Free download on both platforms.