Apple offers iPhone, iPad, and Mac users a robust collection of apps, but those on iOS and iPadOS have long been restricted to the App Store, while Mac owners use the Mac App Store for all their software needs.
That changed with the launch of Apple Silicon. If your computer has Apple's M1 or M2 chip, you can use your favorite iPhone (and iPad) apps natively on your Mac, too. Just look for the Designed for iPhone or Designed for iPad designation in the Mac App Store.
Accessing iPad and iPhone apps on a computer opens up a new world for photo editing, podcast listening, gaming, and more. Apps like Overcast and PhotoRoom can now bring the mobile experience to the bigger screen. It doesn’t take much work to get some of your favorite programs onto your Mac desktop or laptop. Here's how to download your apps and configure the controls.
What You Need to Run Mobile Apps on a Mac
As seen in macOS Ventura (Credit: Apple)
To run iPhone or iPad apps on your Mac, you will need a machine with an Apple Silicon chip inside. At this point, most computers Apple sells include some variation of the M1 or M2 chip, including:
MacBook Air from late 2020 and later
Mac mini from late 2020 and later
MacBook Pro 13-inch from late 2020 and later
MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch from 2021 and later
iMac from 2021 and later
Mac Studio from 2022 and later
To check your specific computer, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen, and select About This Mac. In macOS Ventura and later, the Chip label on the pop-up window will either show Apple or Intel. For older OSes, look to the Processor label.
How to Install Mobile Apps on a Mac
(Credit: Tyler Hayes)
To download iPhone and iPad apps on your Mac, launch the App Store from your computer and click your account name in the bottom-left corner. This will show the apps you have downloaded and purchased through your account, across various devices.
Select the iPhone & iPad Apps text to see all the apps from those devices that can be installed to your Mac. Paid apps will be available to download again for free, though some may need to have a current subscription to fully function.
Note that you may find that not all your iPhone and iPad apps are available for download. Developers have the option to opt out from allowing their apps to work on a Mac. For example, Instagram cannot be used on a laptop or desktop (you can view your account from the web, though). Other apps may be available for download but may not have been fully tested by the developer, so they may not work correctly.
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If you utilize Family Sharing for apps, you can also see apps downloaded by other people connected to your account. After clicking the account name in the bottom-left corner of the App Store, click on the same name on the right side to see other available apps.
Add Touch-Alternative Controls
Macs don't have touch screens (yet), so some of the controls may be a little different from what you'd experience on a mobile device. To activate alternative touch controls, click the app name in the top-left corner of the screen. Select Settings and turn on Touch Alternatives. The diagram presented on the menu screen will show the available options, including the ability to tilt, swipe, and scroll. You can also select the Game Control tab to enable these controls through a gamepad.
Can You Use Mac Apps on an iPad?
The short answer is no. You can't natively run Mac apps on an iPad. A current workaround is to use remote access software, such as Screens, to see and manipulate your Mac screen on an iPad. It's not a perfect solution, but it at least feels like you're running Mac software on an iPad.
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FAQs
If you open up the App Store on macOS, then click your name down in the lower left corner and switch to the iPhone & iPad Apps tab, you'll see a list of all the apps you've ever installed on an Apple-made phone or tablet that can also be installed on macOS.
How do I run iPhone and iPad apps on my Mac? ›
In the Mac App Store, iPhone and iPad apps that work on Mac computers with Apple silicon are labelled with Designed for iPhone or Designed for iPad. Any iPhone or iPad apps you purchase that work on your Mac with Apple silicon are shown when you view your purchased apps in the App Store.
How can I use my iPhone and iPad and Macbook together? ›
You can sync your Mac and device when they're connected over same Wi-Fi network. To set up Wi-Fi syncing, first connect your device to your Mac using a USB or USB-C cable. You then turn on Wi-Fi syncing and choose the settings you want.
How can I play iPhone and iPad games on my Mac? ›
You can browse the Mac App Store to get the newest or most popular games that support Game Center. If you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, many iPhone and iPad games work on your Mac (as indicated by the Designed for iPhone or Designed for iPad label in the App Store).
How do I access my iPhone apps on my Mac? ›
In the App Store on your Mac, click your name in the bottom-left corner, or click Sign In if you're not already. Your account appears with all of your purchased apps. If you're using a Mac computer with Apple silicon, any iPhone or iPad apps you purchased that work on your Mac are also listed.
Can you run all iPad apps on Mac? ›
If your computer has Apple's M1 or M2 chip, you can use your favorite iPhone (and iPad) apps natively on your Mac, too. Just look for the Designed for iPhone or Designed for iPad designation in the Mac App Store.
Is there an iOS emulator for Mac? ›
iOS Simulator in Xcode
Apple's homegrown Xcode software development environment for Mac comes with its own app simulator for iOS, tvOS, watchOS, and iMessage.
Is duet display free? ›
The free Duet desktop app will automatically detect your device, and transform it into a high performance touchscreen display. There's no need to worry about unreliable Wi-Fi, laggy performance, pixelated screens or managing network passwords.
How can iPhone and iPad work together? ›
Open the Settings app on one device, tap your name to open the Apple ID screen, then select iCloud. Turn on the toggle switches next to every category of app and content that you want to sync between the iPhone and iPad. Repeat this process with the second device.
What is sidecar on a Mac? ›
With Sidecar, you can use your iPad in landscape orientation as a second display for your Mac. Like any second display, you can extend your desktop by showing different apps or windows on your iPad, or instead make it show the same ones you see on your Mac. Note: Sidecar is a Continuity feature.
Mirror your iPad on a Mac or TV
- Connect your iPad to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV, AirPlay-compatible smart TV, or Mac.
- Open Control Center on your iPad.
- Tap. , then choose your Mac or TV as the playback destination.
You can transfer your iPad applications to the Mac. To do it, connect your device to iTunes, and go to File menu > Devices > Transfer Purchases. You can transfer your iPad applications to the Mac. To do it, connect your device to iTunes, and go to File menu > Devices > Transfer Purchases.
Can Mac and iPad work together? ›
With Sidecar, you can use your iPad in landscape orientation as a second display for your Mac. Like any second display, you can extend your desktop by showing different apps or windows on your iPad, or instead make it show the same ones you see on your Mac.
How to mirror iPhone to Mac? ›
Mirror your iPhone or iPad to a TV or Mac
- Connect your iPhone or iPad to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV, AirPlay-compatible smart TV, or Mac. ...
- Open Control Center: ...
- Tap the Screen Mirroring button .
- Select your TV or Mac from the list.
Getting new iPhone/iPad apps
- Launch the App Store app on your Mac.
- Search for the app or the type of app you want like you normally do.
- After performing the search, look at the taps under the “Results for” heading. The button on the left ,”Mac Apps”, will be selected. ...
- The results switch over to iPhone and iPad apps.
Click the Launchpad icon in the Dock, then click an app icon. See Use Launchpad to view and open apps. Use Siri to open an app for you.
How do I sync apps from iPad to Mac? ›
Sync content between your Mac and iPhone, iPad or iPod touch over...
- Connect your device to your Mac using a USB or USB-C cable.
- In the Finder on your Mac, select the device in the Finder sidebar. ...
- Click General in the button bar.
- Select the “Show this [device] when on Wi-Fi” tickbox.
Move a Mac window to your iPad
of a window on your Mac, then choose the option to move that window to your iPad. and choose Move Window Back to Mac. If you want your iPad to mirror your Mac screen instead of extending its desktop: In macOS Monterey or later, choose a mirroring option from the Screen Mirroring menu.
Can my iPhone and iPad share apps? ›
Apps you purchase from the iTunes Store can be installed across all your iOS devices as long as the iTunes account associated with those devices is the same. The easiest way to transfer apps from an iPhone to an iPad is through the iCloud service that enables you to synchronize almost anything between iOS devices.
