How to AirPlay Linux to iPhone/Mac & Screen Mirror from Linux?

Did you know that Linux powers over 96% of the world’s top 1 million servers? Despite this popularity, many Linux users struggle to share their screens with Apple devices. If you’re one of them, you’re not alone.

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The problem is that Linux doesn’t come with built-in support for AirPlay, Apple’s screen-sharing technology.

This can make it tricky to show what’s on your Linux screen on your iPhone or Mac. It’s frustrating when you want to share a presentation, watch a video, or just show off your Linux setup on a bigger screen.

But don’t worry, there are solutions. You can use special apps to bridge the gap between Linux and Apple devices. These tools let you share your Linux screen wirelessly, just like you would with AirPlay on Apple devices.

In this article, you’ll learn how to share your Linux screen with your iPhone or Mac. We’ll look at some easy-to-use apps and walk through the steps to get everything set up.

By the end, you’ll be able to show off your Linux screen on your Apple devices with no fuss. Let’s get started!

Ever wished you could show what’s on your iPhone or iPad on your Linux computer? Well, you can! It’s not as hard as you might think. You just need to install a special app on your Linux machine. Let’s walk through how to do this step by step.

First, you need to pick an app that lets you share your iOS screen on Linux. Two good options are Wondershare and AirServer.

These apps act like a bridge, allowing your Apple device to talk to your Linux computer.

You can also consider AirPlay LonelyScreen from iPhone to Windows if you ever want a Windows alternative.

Setting up Wondershare on Linux

Let’s start with Wondershare. Here’s how you can get it up and running:

Open Google Chrome on your Linux computer and go to wondershare.com.
Click the Download button to get the Wondershare app.
Find where the file downloaded on your computer.
Right-click in that folder and choose “Open Terminal Here.”
In the terminal, type “$ wine mirror go full setup” and press Enter.
Follow the prompts to install Wondershare.
Once installed, open Wondershare and click on the iOS tab.
Make sure your Apple device and Linux computer are on the same WiFi network.
On your iOS device, swipe to open the Control Center.
Tap Screen Mirroring and choose your Linux computer from the list.

Now you’re ready to share your iOS screen on your Linux computer!

Setting up AirServer on Linux

AirServer is another great option. Here’s how to set it up:

Open Chrome on your Linux computer and go to airserver.com.
Download AirServer and install it following the on-screen instructions.
Open the AirServer application.
Make sure your iOS device and Linux computer are on the same WiFi network.
On your iOS device, open the Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring.
Choose your Linux computer from the list of devices.

And there you have it! Your iOS screen should now appear on your Linux computer.

With either of these apps, you can easily share what’s on your iPhone or iPad screen with your Linux computer. Whether you want to show off photos, watch videos, or give a presentation, you’re now all set to go.

Can I Screen Mirror from Linux to iOS/Mac?

Guess what? You can totally mirror your Linux screen to your Apple devices! How, you ask? By using a cool app called Deskreen. It’s like turning any device with a web browser into a second screen.

So, if you’re a Linux user wanting to screen mirror to an iPhone or Mac, Deskreen is your go-to tool. Here’s how to set it up:

Step 1: Download Deskreen

Open Browser: On your PC, open a web browser.
Visit Deskreen Website: Go to the Deskreen website at Deskreen’s official site.
Download for Linux: Choose the Linux version and download the app to your PC.

Step 2: Install Deskreen

Launch Terminal: Once downloaded, open the terminal on your PC.
Install Command: Enter sudo dpkg -i deskreen_2.0.3_amd64.deb as the command in the terminal.
Set Permissions: After installing, right-click the .AppImage file, go to Permissions, and enable “Allow executing file as program.”
Follow Setup Prompts: Complete the setup by following any on-screen instructions.

Step 3: Connect and Share

Launch Deskreen: Open the Deskreen app on your Linux PC.
Connect to WiFi: Make sure your Linux PC and Apple device are on the same WiFi network.
Open Browser on Apple Device: On your iPhone or Mac, launch a web browser.
Enter IP Address or Scan QR Code: Type the IP address shown in Deskreen into the browser, or scan the QR code displayed.
Allow Connection: Click the Allow button on the Apple device to permit the connection.
Choose Screen Share Type: Select what you want to share, like your Entire Screen or just an Application Window.
Confirm and Start Sharing: Hit Confirm, and voilà! Your Linux screen will now appear on your Apple device.

Tip: If you experience any issues where only audio plays but not video, here’s how to fix AirPlay issues where only audio plays.

AirPlay alternatives for Linux

If you’re using Linux and looking for ways to share content like AirPlay, you’re in luck! There are several third-party apps available that can help you send and receive content on AirPlay-compatible devices. Let’s look at some top-rated options that work well with AirPlay.

1. Mkchromecast: Stream with ease

Mkchromecast is a great choice for casting and sharing content from your Linux computer to various devices. Here’s why it’s worth trying:

Versatile compatibility: You can send content to a Mac, Windows PC, Chromecast, or even Sonos speakers with Mkchromecast.
High-quality audio: Enjoy multi-room group playback and high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96kHz. It’s perfect for music lovers!

2. Gnomecast: Native Linux GUI for easy casting

Gnomecast offers a native Linux interface, making it very user-friendly for casting to Chromecast devices. Its features include:

Supports audio and video: You can stream both audio and video files smoothly with Gnomecast.
4K video transfer: If you have a Chromecast Ultra or other 4K-supported devices, Gnomecast can transfer 4K videos to make the most of your high-definition content.

You can also AirPlay iPhone and Mac to Chromecast and use Gnomecast for native Chromecast support.

3. SoundWire: Stream your sounds

SoundWire focuses on audio and video files, offering some unique features:

Multi-device streaming: Share content on up to 10 devices at once. Great for parties or multi-room setups!
Stream from popular apps: Love Spotify or Apple Music? SoundWire lets you share music from these apps to your preferred speakers.

These alternatives give you plenty of options to share your content from Linux, just like you would with AirPlay. Whether you’re into music, videos, or both, there’s an app here to suit your needs.

The takeaway

Screen sharing between Linux and Apple devices might seem tricky, but it’s actually quite doable. You don’t need to feel left out just because you’re using Linux.

There are several apps that can help you share your screen. Wondershare and AirServer let you show your iPhone or iPad screen on your Linux computer.

If you want to do the opposite and show your Linux screen on an Apple device, Deskreen is a great option. These tools are pretty easy to set up and use.

You might think you need special hardware or a Mac to share screens with Apple devices, but that’s not true. With the right software, your Linux computer can do the job just fine.

If you’re using your iPhone for browsing too, check out how to AirPlay Safari from your iPhone for even more seamless screen sharing!

The most important thing to remember is that you have options. Whether you want to show photos, watch videos, or give a presentation, you can make it happen.

Don’t let different operating systems hold you back from sharing your screen.

We’d love to hear about your experience with these tools. Have you tried any of them? How did it go? Share your thoughts in a comment below!