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.

Download DisplayReceiver Download DisplaySender Setup Guide What's New in 1.0.4

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

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

DisplayReceiver.zip Receiver update feed
  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.

DisplaySender.zip Sender update feed
  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. If you want the lowest-feeling pointer latency, try Use Side Cursor Overlay on the sender. That cursor path is still marked beta in 1.0.4.

WiredDisplay 1.0.4

WiredDisplay 1.0.4 is a major polish release focused on cursor responsiveness, receiver behavior, windowing, and day-to-day usability.

Version 1.0.4 Sender + Receiver Stability and polish release
  • Receiver improvements: The receiver now behaves more like a normal macOS app window, with cleaner startup, stream presentation, and general fullscreen/windowing behavior.
  • Cursor overlay path: The sender now includes a receiver-side cursor overlay mode for lower-latency pointer motion, plus cursor shape mirroring support for more natural pointer behavior.
  • Long-session work: Sender-side cursor pipeline refresh behavior and cleaner logging were added to help diagnose and recover cursor lag during extended use.
  • Diagnostics cleanup: "Stats for Nerds" now lives in its own separate window so the main sender UI stays focused on setup and streaming.
  • Receiver icon: DisplayReceiver now includes a proper app icon so it shows correctly in the Dock and app switcher.
  • Transport clarity: Video stays on the stable TCP production path, while the remaining UDP side channel is reserved for cursor motion when the overlay path is enabled.
Known issues: Use Side Cursor Overlay is still a beta feature in 1.0.4. Cursor polling and refresh behavior are much better, but some setups may still see cursor lag during very long sessions even when the main video stream stays healthy.

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.
WiredDisplay is currently built for macOS and intended for two-Mac wired display streaming. Host this file as index.html in the same folder as the downloadable ZIP files so the buttons work without edits.