Drag and Drop Files Now Work With iPhone Mirroring in Latest macOS Sequoia 15.1 and iOS 18.1 Betas

With macOS 15.1 and iOS 18.1 beta 5, Apple has enabled drag and drop, a much anticipated iPhone Mirroring feature. After updating to the new software, you can drag files from an ‌iPhone‌ to a Mac and vice versa.

macos sequoia iphone mirroring
‌iPhone‌ Mirroring makes it simple to move files from one device to another because it works even when the ‌iPhone‌ is locked and charging. To use the feature, update to the fifth macOS 15.1 and iOS 18.1 betas and then activate ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring.

From there, if you drag a file like a photo from Mac to the open Photos app on the ‌iPhone‌, it'll transfer over. If you want to transfer a PDF, just open the Files app and then drag the PDF from the Mac to the ‌iPhone‌. Dragging a file from ‌iPhone‌ to Mac works in much the same way, you simply drag it over where you want it.

drag and drop files app mac
The new ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring feature is active in the developer beta now, and public beta testers should be able to try it out later this week. iOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are expected to see a public launch in October.

Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia

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Top Rated Comments

Treq Avatar
12 months ago

Nice to see Apple catching up to 2014.
What other operating system had this feature in 2014?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surfzen21 Avatar
12 months ago
Stoked about this!

So far, I am using and enjoying iPhone mirroring more than I thought I would.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iObama Avatar
12 months ago
Woohoo! I thought I remembered them saying this would be available.

Been absolutely loving iPhone Mirroring. Allows me to use iMessage at work without logging into my iCloud account in Messages/storing texts on my computer.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrhansolo Avatar
12 months ago
So happy for this. There have been numerous cases over the past few months where I wanted to drag/drop some photos from my photo app to my desktop.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JohnC1959 Avatar
12 months ago

All this features require the horrible two factor auntetification.

My experience when your bag with your laptop and phone (2 trusted devices + trusted phone) has been stolen is the real hell. Never would go again to that service again.
I probably wouldn't have my phone in my laptop bag. But regardless, if they have your phone how are they going to unlock it? And you can remotely disable and even zero out you phone if needed.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iObama Avatar
12 months ago

All this features require the horrible two factor auntetification.

My experience when your bag with your laptop and phone (2 trusted devices + trusted phone) has been stolen is the real hell. Never would go again to that service again.
The fact that you had 2FA set up probably saved your ass in that situation. Totally counterintuitive conclusion you reached there lol.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)