The new Mirroring app in macOS promises to be a game-changer for Apple users, allowing for deeper integration between iPhone and Mac devices, and doing much to increase our productivity and the interconnectivity between our iDevices.
However, this functionality is not available in Spain or other countries of the European Union, due to legal restrictions imposed by the Digital Markets Act (DMA), of which We have already talked about it on some other occasion and which is causing real headaches for Tim Cook and company.
Below, we will explore what exactly “mirroring” is, how it works, why it has been blocked in Europe, and what alternatives or workarounds might exist for European users who wish to use this tool. Go!
What is “Mirroring”?
“Mirroring” is a new feature introduced in macOS 15 (Sequoia) that allows users to Control and view your iPhone screen directly from your Mac.
And on a positive note, we have to say that this type of integration is something that Apple users have been waiting for for a long time, since It makes it easier for us to manage multiple devices without having to constantly switch between them., saving us time and peripherals.
For example, with Mirroring you can respond to messages, check notifications, or even use iOS-only apps from your Mac, all without touching your iPhone. Plus, this app uses the AirPlay protocol, allowing you to transfer files by simply dragging and dropping between devices, which is a significant improvement over previous solutions that required cables or cloud services.
How does Mirroring work?
How Mirroring works is pretty simple: once the iPhone and Mac are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, the iPhone screen appears in a floating window on the Mac, allowing the user to interact with their iPhone in the same way as they would physically, but using the Mac’s keyboard and mouse.
The simplicity of this system is one of its greatest advantages, eliminating the need for third-party applications or complicated methods to achieve the same functionality.
Another significant advantage is the integration of notifications, which allows the user to view and respond to iPhone notifications directly from their Mac, something super useful for people who work on their Mac for long hours and prefer not to be constantly checking their phone to avoid getting distracted.
Why doesn't it work in Spain and the rest of Europe?
As we have been able to find out, we cannot really blame Apple for this situation, because the blocking of "Mirroring" in the European Union is directly related to the Digital Markets Law (DMA), a recent legislation that seeks to prevent large technology companies from abusing their dominant market position.
The DMA aims to ensure a fair competitive environment by forcing companies like Apple, Google, and Meta to offer more interoperability between their services and those of their competitors, and this is where the whole problem arises.
In the case of "Mirroring", the concern is that Apple would be favoring its own ecosystem by not offering similar functionality for Android devices, this being considered an abuse of power, since the company would be using its control over hardware and software to limit the functionality of its own products.
As a result, The European Union has temporarily banned the use of “mirroring” across the continent until it can be determined whether or not this functionality violates DMA regulations, and until then, we will be left without service (at least officially)
Possible solutions or alternatives to fix Mirroring
For European users, the lack of access to mirroring can be frustrating and quite unfair compared to the experience others in other parts of the world are having, especially considering the advantages it offers.
However, there are some alternatives that could meet this need, albeit with certain limitations.
- Third Party Applications: Although not as integrated as “Mirroring”, There are third-party applications that allow similar functions, such as Reflector or AirServerThese apps let you mirror your iPhone screen on your Mac, though the quality of the experience can vary and they typically don't include advanced features like file transfer or notification integration.
- Setting up accounts in other countries: Some users have managed to activate “Mirroring” Setting up your iCloud and App Store accounts in the United States or other countries where the functionality is not blockedHowever, this method is unofficial, may not be reliable in the long term, and could involve additional risks, such as incompatibility with other local services.
- Please wait for future updates: Apple and the European Commission could reach an agreement that would allow the use of “Mirroring” in Europe. Although there is no clear timeframe for this to happen, some reports suggest that Apple may be working on a solution that meets the DMA's demands without compromising the user experience, probably by taking advantage of other open technologies such as Miracast.
What does this mean for Apple’s future in Europe?
The blocking of mirroring in Europe is a clear example of the challenges facing big tech under the new DMA legislation. Apple, in particular, has had to make several changes to its global strategy to comply with these regulations., and we are likely to see further restrictions or modifications in the future.
For users, this is ultimately not good news, as it would directly imply a more fragmented experience, where certain functions and applications are not available depending on the region.
Although if you are a user who frequently alternates between computers with different operating systems, it is true that it could also lead to greater interoperability between different technological ecosystems, something that would benefit consumers in the long term, so There is no clear position on whether the strictness of the DMA really has a positive or negative effect on Spanish users..
What is clear from this is that it is not available in Europe. highlights tensions between tech companies and government regulators, something that will directly affect European users, who will have to wait to see if this functionality will be enabled in the future, or if they will have to continue to rely on alternative solutions to obtain a similar experience.