WiredDisplay for macOS

Use one Mac as a wired display for another.

WiredDisplay is a two-app setup for low-latency Mac-to-Mac display streaming over a wired connection. One Mac runs DisplayReceiver and acts like the monitor. The other runs DisplaySender and streams a virtual display to it.

1. Download on the Mac that will act as the monitor

Install DisplayReceiver on the Mac that should receive video and audio.

  1. Download and unzip DisplayReceiver.
  2. Move the app into your Applications folder.
  3. Launch it once so macOS can register it properly.
  4. Leave it running. It lives in the menu bar and waits for a sender to connect.

2. Download on the Mac that will send the display

Install DisplaySender on the Mac that should create and stream the virtual display.

  1. Download and unzip DisplaySender.
  2. Move the app into your Applications folder.
  3. Open it and allow any macOS prompts it needs.
  4. Use the app to discover the receiver and start streaming.

Setup Checklist

  1. Connect both Macs to the same wired network path. Thunderbolt Bridge or a direct fast local network is the intended setup.
  2. Launch DisplayReceiver first on the Mac that will act as the display.
  3. Launch DisplaySender on the Mac that will stream.
  4. In the sender app, pick the receiver from the discovered list.
  5. Start with Connect & Stream. The production video path is TCP-based and is the intended setup.
  6. Once the session starts, the receiver should open full screen automatically.
  7. To use a console or HDMI source as the input, connect a supported USB capture card to the receiver Mac and choose it from Input Source.

WiredDisplay 1.0.5.5

WiredDisplay 1.0.5.5 fixes the macOS audio-input entitlement for capture-card sound, improves capture-card audio detection, and keeps the low-latency display path.

  • Capture-card input: DisplayReceiver can now show video from supported USB HDMI capture cards, including low-latency 1080p60 capture paths.
  • Resolution memory: Capture-card resolution choices are remembered per device, so your preferred mode is selected automatically next time.
  • Permission fixes: The release app now explicitly requests camera and microphone access before starting capture-card video and audio.
  • Stats for Nerds: DisplayReceiver includes a diagnostics window with live capture, display, and audio setup logs.
  • Audio detection: Capture-card audio inputs are logged and DisplayReceiver can use the only external audio input as a fallback when device names do not match.
  • Safer capture controls: Capture mode includes a quick exit button, and closing the receiver window now exits capture cleanly instead of tearing down the active renderer.
  • Receiver polish: Capture-card audio preview and mute controls are available when the device exposes audio.
Note: Capture cards cannot upscale the source signal. If a console or HDMI device is outputting a resolution your capture card does not support, change the source output resolution or choose a matching capture mode in DisplayReceiver.

What each app does

  • DisplayReceiver listens on the network, receives frames, and shows the stream full screen.
  • DisplaySender creates a virtual display, captures it, and streams video and audio.
  • The top-level WiredDisplay app is not the one you want to install.

Permissions you may see

  • Screen Recording on the sender Mac so it can capture the virtual display.
  • Local Network so the apps can discover and connect to each other.
  • macOS may also ask you to confirm opening an app downloaded from the internet the first time.

Updates

  • Both apps include Sparkle-based self-updates.
  • Use Check for Updates… inside each app if you want to verify you are on the latest version.
  • Sender and receiver are updated separately, so install updates on both Macs when available.

First Launch Tips

If macOS blocks the app the first time, move it to Applications, then open it again. If you still get a warning, right-click the app and choose Open.

If the app does not show up immediately after you unzip it, make sure you launched the actual app bundle and not the ZIP file preview.

Troubleshooting

  • If the receiver does not appear in the sender list, make sure both Macs are on the same network and the receiver is already running.
  • If setup feels unstable, keep the main stream on the default production path and treat the side cursor overlay as an optional beta feature.
  • If macOS permission prompts were denied earlier, re-enable them in System Settings and relaunch the app.
  • If an app icon in Finder or the Dock looks stale after updating, quit and relaunch the app.