Connecting and Using the Apple Vision Pro with a Mac
Connect Apple Vision Pro With iMac – The Apple Vision Pro is an innovative new augmented reality (AR) headset that takes spatial computing to the next level. With advanced features like stereo 3D cameras, incredible pixel density displays, and powerful Apple silicon, the Vision Pro enables immersive AR experiences by overlaying digital information onto the real world.
Recent Released: Apple Vision Pro Europe – Available And Price
One of the key features of the Vision Pro is the ability to connect it to a Mac to use the headset as an additional display. This allows you to extend your desktop and workflows across devices. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about connecting your Apple Vision Pro with a Mac and using it as a display.
An Overview of the Apple Vision Pro
Before we dive into setup, let’s briefly go over some of the key specs and capabilities of the Apple Vision Pro:
- Display: The Vision Pro features dual 3D OLED displays with a resolution of 7680 x 6080 pixels per eye, adding up to an incredible pixel density of 58 pixels per degree for ultra-sharp visuals. The displays support refresh rates up to 120Hz.
- Performance: Powered by Apple’s latest silicon including the M2 chip, R2 chip, and a raft of sensors and cameras. This enables advanced AR experiences by seamlessly blending digital objects into the real environment.
- Connectivity: The Vision Pro can connect directly to a Mac wirelessly using WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 to turn the AR headset into a Mac display.
- Battery Life: Up to 2 hours of general use or 2.5 hours of video playback. The headset charges wirelessly via MagSafe.
Requirements To Connect Apple Vision Pro With iMac
To use your Vision Pro as a Mac display, there are a few key requirements:
- Mac with macOS 14 Sonoma or later – The Mac Virtual Display feature requires the latest version of macOS. Make sure your Mac is updated.
- Same Apple ID – Both the Mac and Vision Pro must be signed into the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled.
- Proximity – For the initial setup, your Mac and Vision Pro need to be in close proximity to establish the connection.
- WiFi and Bluetooth – Both devices should be on the same WiFi network and have Bluetooth enabled.
Once those requirements are met, you can move on to the setup process.
Connect Apple Vision Pro With iMac Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to connect your Apple Vision Pro to a compatible Mac and use it as a display:
Step#1. On your Vision Pro, open Control Center and select Turn On Mac Virtual Display. This puts the headset into pairing mode.
Step#2. On your Mac, open System Preferences > Displays and click on Add Display. Your Vision Pro should appear in the list of available displays.
Step#3. Select your Vision Pro and click Add. This will initiate the pairing process between the two devices using WiFi and Bluetooth.
Step#4. Follow the on-screen instructions to authenticate and verify the connection. This may include entering a pairing code or providing biometrics.
Step#5. Once successfully paired, your Mac screen will appear on the Vision Pro! You can now use the headset as a secondary Mac display.
The initial setup only needs to be done once. After that, you can enable Mac Virtual Display on your Vision Pro anytime to reconnect it. The two devices will pair automatically as long as they are on the same WiFi network.
How To Use the Vision Pro as a Mac Display
Here are some tips on using your Apple Vision Pro as a Mac display – Connect Apple Vision Pro With iMac:
- Move your mouse pointer seamlessly between your Mac screen and the Vision Pro display. The pointer will move between them just like a dual monitor setup.
- Use gestures on your Mac’s trackpad to navigate and interact with windows and apps open on the Vision Pro display.
- Resize and position the Vision Pro display window just like you would any application window on your Mac.
- The Vision Pro display acts as an extended desktop, not a mirror. You can have different apps and windows open on your Mac vs the headset.
- Stream any audio playing on your Mac to the Vision Pro’s spatial audio system.
- You can use the Vision Pro’s cameras and sensors alongside Mac apps for a unique AR-enhanced computing experience.
- To disconnect or turn off the Vision Pro display, go back to Control Center > Turn Off Mac Virtual Display.
Tips for an Optimal Experience While Using Apple Vision Pro With iMac
Here are some tips to ensure the best experience using your Vision Pro as a Mac display:
- Position your Mac and Vision Pro in a comfortable viewing arrangement. Use stands and mounts to optimize ergonomics.
- Adjust the window size and position so images appear sharp and textures are aligned.
- Ensure both devices are on the latest software version for full compatibility.
- Close any CPU or graphics-intensive apps on the Mac when using the Vision Pro display to preserve performance.
- Stick to basic productivity apps on the Vision Pro display. Graphics-heavy software may impact performance.
- Experiment with dark mode and reduce brightness if the Vision Pro display is too bright.
Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues – Connect Apple Vision Pro With iMac
If you’re having trouble getting your Vision Pro to connect to your Mac, try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Ensure your Mac is running macOS 14 Sonoma or later. Older macOS versions do not support this feature.
- Check that both the Mac and Vision Pro are signed into the same Apple ID and 2FA is enabled.
- Make sure your Mac and Vision Pro are on the same WiFi network.
- Restart both devices and try re-pairing them.
- On the Vision Pro, open Control Center and reset the Mac Virtual Display settings.
- Check for any software updates for your Mac and Vision Pro. Install if available.
- Try manually connecting by selecting your Vision Pro in the Mac Displays settings.
- Consult Apple Support forums for help diagnosing any persistent connection issues.
Wrapping Up
The ability to connect an Apple Vision Pro headset to a Mac opens up amazing new workflows and use cases. You can enjoy a much larger extended display for immersive computing. Dual monitor productivity also goes to a whole new level!
We hope this guide covered everything you need to know about setup, usage tips, and troubleshooting for Mac Virtual Display on the Vision Pro. Let us know if you have any other questions!
Table Summarizing Apple Vision Pro Specs
| Specification | Details |
| Display | Dual 3D OLED displays <br> 7680 x 6080 pixels per eye <br> 58 pixels per degree density |
| Chipset | Apple M2 chip <br> Apple R2 chip |
| Cameras & Sensors | Stereo fisheye cameras <br> Spatial compute engine <br> LiDAR scanner <br> Inertial measurement unit |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6 <br> Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Battery Life | Up to 2 hours general use <br> Up to 2.5 hours video |
| Audio | Spatial audio system |
| Input | Hand tracking <br> Voice input |
| OS | visionOS 3 |
