iOS 19 Rumored to Add Stage Manager Support to USB-C iPhones

A leaker known as Majin Bu today claimed that iOS 19 will enable support for at least a limited version of Stage Manager on iPhone models with a USB-C port.

ipados 16 stage manager
In a blog post citing sources, the leaker said that when an iPhone with a USB-C port is connected to an external display, users will be able to take advantage of a Stage Manager-like interface with multiple apps open at once on the screen. However, he said that there might be more limitations compared to Stage Manager on iPads.

iPhone models with a USB-C port include all iPhone 15 models and newer.

iPhones with both Lightning and USB-C ports can already be connected to external displays, but only for basic screen mirroring.

The first developer beta of iOS 19 should be available immediately after the WWDC 2025 keynote on June 9, and the software update is expected to be released to the general public in September. It is unclear if Stage Manager support on USB-C iPhones would be available in the first beta, or enabled later in the iOS 19 software cycle.

Samsung offers a similar feature called DeX on its Galaxy smartphones.

Majin Bu has a mixed track record with Apple rumors, with some hits and some misses. They were one of the sources who accurately claimed that the device succeeding the iPhone SE would be named the iPhone 16e, but they also inaccurately claimed that the device would have a Dynamic Island instead of a notch. They also accurately leaked the redesigned Milanese Loop for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Desert Titanium color name for iPhone 16 Pro models, several iPhone cases, and much more.

Related Roundup: iOS 19

Popular Stories

apple watch ultra yellow

What's Next for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch SE 3

Friday April 25, 2025 2:44 pm PDT by
This week marks the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch, which launched on April 24, 2015. Yesterday, we recapped features rumored for the Apple Watch Series 11, but since 2015, the Apple Watch has also branched out into the Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch SE, so we thought we'd take a look at what's next for those product lines, too. 2025 Apple Watch Ultra 3 Apple didn't update the...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Launching Later This Year With These 16 New Features

Thursday April 24, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the ultra-thin device. Overall, the iPhone 17 Air sounds like a mixed bag. While the device is expected to have an impressively thin and light design, rumors indicate it will have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including only a single rear camera, a...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 13 New Features

Wednesday April 23, 2025 8:31 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Reaches Key Milestone Ahead of Mass Production

Monday April 28, 2025 8:44 am PDT by
Apple has completed Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) for at least one iPhone 17 model, according to a paywalled preview of an upcoming DigiTimes report. iPhone 17 Air mockup based on rumored design The EVT stage involves Apple testing iPhone 17 prototypes to ensure the hardware works as expected. There are still DVT (Design Validation Test) and PVT (Production Validation Test) stages to...
iphone 16 display

iPhone 17's Scratch Resistant Anti-Reflective Display Coating Canceled

Monday April 28, 2025 12:48 pm PDT by
Apple may have canceled the super scratch resistant anti-reflective display coating that it planned to use for the iPhone 17 Pro models, according to a source with reliable information that spoke to MacRumors. Last spring, Weibo leaker Instant Digital suggested Apple was working on a new anti-reflective display layer that was more scratch resistant than the Ceramic Shield. We haven't heard...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue

20th Anniversary iPhone Likely to Be Made in China Due to 'Extraordinarily Complex' Design

Monday April 28, 2025 4:29 am PDT by
Apple will likely manufacture its 20th anniversary iPhone models in China, despite broader efforts to shift production to India, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In 2027, Apple is planning a "major shake-up" for the iPhone lineup to mark two decades since the original model launched. Gurman's previous reporting indicates the company will introduce a foldable iPhone alongside a "bold"...
top stories 2025 04 26

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Air Rumors, Apple Watch Turns 10, and More

Saturday April 26, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
We've known for quite some time about Apple's plans for a thinner "iPhone 17 Air" coming later this year, but wow, the latest dummy models give us our best look yet at just how thin this phone is going to be. Other Apple news and rumors this week included another iOS 18.5 beta, the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch launch, and more management reshuffling in Apple's Siri division, so read...

Top Rated Comments

Reverend Benny Avatar
5 days ago at 12:08 pm

What would be the use case(s) for having multiple iPhone apps open on an external display?
Imagine docking your iPhone into a USB-C dock, getting mouse and keyboard on the big screen and being able to use your apps desktop style.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nautilus007 Avatar
5 days ago at 11:55 am
Man, they are really doing everything they can not to cannabilize sales.
Apple could literally make it so you could connect your phone to a screen and mirror Mac OS
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PotentPeas Avatar
5 days ago at 12:08 pm

What would be the use case(s) for having multiple iPhone apps open on an external display?
The big idea here is less about "Stage Manager" and more about just being able to use an external display connected to the iPhone for something other than mirroring the iPhone screen.

I can see uses for this, especially if apps take advantage to provide some extra functionality in "external display" mode. (I imagine they would if they're already doing this for iPad.)

For instance, my wife doesn't use a PC or laptop very often, she just lives on her phone. She does a lot of work with photos on there and a lot of it is "keeping the family up with what's been going on with our kids". I think being able to plug into a screen and have more working space could be very helpful.

For myself, I can think of situations where I need to run to the office for a meeting and I have to detach my laptop from all of the dock setup stuff I have in my home office. If I could just grab my phone instead and be able to connect it to a usable desktop-ish work environment at the office, that would be nice.

I can envision a situation where my kids don't need anything *other* than a phone and a dock setup to do their school work.

The ideas are there. Whether it would be any good all depends on if the implementation/execution that Apple and possibly third-party devs come up with.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
applesith Avatar
5 days ago at 11:56 am
I can't imagine we are far from having an iPhone serve the role of a Mac Mini when plugged into a monitor with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. Even if this is technically possible, there will be intentional software limitations because otherwise, this would cannibalize sales of other devices. Which is also why I believe iPad OS is so limited to mitigate its overlap with MacOS.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BelgianChoklit Avatar
5 days ago at 12:14 pm
Because it's been such a stellar success on the iPad.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
icanhazapple Avatar
5 days ago at 11:59 am

I can't imagine we are far from having an iPhone serve the role of a Mac Mini when plugged into a monitor with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. Even if this is technically possible, there will be intentional software limitations because otherwise, this would cannibalize sales of other devices. Which is also why I believe iPad OS is so limited to mitigate its overlap with MacOS.
Hahahaha. Tim Cook would sooner eat a lemon live on YouTube. It's not happening because of Apple's gating-keeping.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)