ShareToMac

Stream your iPhone or iPad screen to your Mac over a local Wi-Fi network.

No cables required. The iOS app captures the screen using ReplayKit and sends JPEG frames over UDP. The Mac app receives and displays them in real time with PyQt6.

share-to-mac/
├── .github/workflows/     # CI: builds .dmg and unsigned .ipa on every release tag
├── mobile/                # React Native app (iOS) + Swift native module
├── desktop/               # Python + PyQt6 receiver app for macOS
└── docs/
    └── INSTALL_IOS.md     # How to self-sign and install the iOS app

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Download (pre-built)

Go to the Releases page and download:

File	Platform
ShareToMac.dmg	macOS — drag to Applications and run
ShareToMac-unsigned.ipa	iOS — requires self-signing (see below)

iOS install instructions: docs/INSTALL_IOS.md
The easiest method is AltStore — free, no paid Apple account needed.

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Build from source

Requirements

Tool	Version
Node.js	18+
Xcode	15+
Ruby	3.0+
CocoaPods	1.13+
Python	3.11+
macOS	13 Ventura+

Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

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Desktop App (Mac)

cd desktop
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt
python main.py

The window shows your Mac's local IP address and a port selector (default 5005).
Click Start Listening before launching the mobile app.

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Mobile App (iPhone / iPad)

cd mobile

# Install JS dependencies
npm install

# Install Ruby gems (xcodeproj + CocoaPods)
bundle install

# Add the ScreenCapture Swift files to the Xcode project automatically
bundle exec ruby scripts/setup_xcode.rb

# Install CocoaPods
cd ios && bundle exec pod install && cd ..

Run directly on device (development)

npx react-native run-ios --device "Your iPhone Name"

Screen recording does not work on the iOS Simulator. A physical device is required.

Build for distribution (sign in Xcode)

1. open ios/ShareToMac.xcworkspace
2. Select the ShareToMac target → Signing & Capabilities → choose your Team.
3. Change the Bundle Identifier to something unique (e.g. com.yourname.sharetomac).
4. Select your device, press Run (▶).

See docs/INSTALL_IOS.md for full signing instructions.

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Usage

1. On your Mac, open the desktop app → click Start Listening.
2. Note the IP address shown (e.g. 192.168.1.42).
3. On your iPhone/iPad, open ShareToMac.
4. Enter the Mac IP address → tap Start Sharing.
5. Accept the screen recording permission prompt.

Your screen appears on the Mac within a second or two.

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Architecture

[iPhone/iPad]
  ReplayKit → ScreenCaptureManager (Swift)
    → UDPSender (Swift / Network.framework)
      → UDP datagrams (JPEG frames, chunked at 1400 bytes)

[MacBook]
  UDPReceiver (Python) → reassembles chunks → JPEG bytes
    → FrameDisplay (PyQt6 QLabel) → rendered on screen

UDP chunking protocol

Each datagram carries a 12-byte big-endian header:

Field	Type	Bytes
frameId	uint32	4
chunkIndex	uint16	2
totalChunks	uint16	2
chunkSize	uint32	4

Followed by the raw JPEG chunk payload.

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CI

Two GitHub Actions workflows run on every v* tag push:

Workflow	Output
build-desktop.yml	ShareToMac.dmg attached to the GitHub Release
build-mobile.yml	ShareToMac-unsigned.ipa attached to the GitHub Release

Trigger a release:

git tag v1.0.0
git push origin v1.0.0

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Limitations

• The iOS app must remain in the foreground while sharing (ReplayKit restriction).
• Frames may be dropped on a congested network — acceptable for live mirroring.
• Apps self-signed with a free Apple ID expire every 7 days (AltStore can auto-refresh).
• USB cable transport is not implemented yet.

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Roadmap

• Auto-discover the Mac via mDNS (no manual IP entry)
• USB cable transport via usbmuxd
• Adjustable JPEG quality / resolution