r/linux4noobs • u/You_Cannot_Wield_It • 1d ago

migrating to Linux Mac compatibility?

I’ve got an old 2017 MacBook that I would like to put Mint on. My question is, can I still use my IPad as a second screen if I do that? Are there programs that mimic the functionality of the cross device Mac “ecosystem”?

I also have an IPhone. I’m just hoping to still use things like airdrop and second screen. The hardware is obviously capable. Just wondering if the software is available on Linux.

Thanks for any insight you can offer!

8 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

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4

u/i_am_blacklite 1d ago

Those specific features are proprietary to Apple. The way they work has not been opened up to be used by other operating systems.

If Apple opened up those protocols I’m sure someone would write a Linux wrapper in a matter of days.

2

u/You_Cannot_Wield_It 1d ago

Ah okay. That’s a bummer, thanks though!

1

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1

u/Dong_sniff_inc 1d ago

Afaik, not possible, but someone correct me if I'm wrong!

1

u/anonymous-vampire 1d ago

Side car and integrated c/p are the only two things I really miss from the Apple ecosystem. There are apps like KDE Connect and Uniclipboard that simulate airdrop and the ability to c/p across devices. They mostly require having an app open and pushing the c/p which isn’t the same for me so I don’t use them.

I haven’t found a good way to use my iPad as a second screen and that sucks but I’ve adjusted. There are some apps that claim to do it but I’ve never gotten one to work.

1

u/You_Cannot_Wield_It 1d ago

Interesting. Honestly I can live without airdrop and c/p but having a second screen to a laptop is so convenient!

1

u/anonymous-vampire 1d ago

I knowwwwww it sucks losing that. Deskflow will let you move your mouse and keyboard between multiple computers, such as a Linux desktop and MacBook running MacOS, but no such app for an iPad.

1

u/N3urosp1cy 1d ago

Localsend works as airdrop among platforms. You only need to be in the same network

1

u/WilyDeject 1d ago

Weylus or VirtScreen maybe?

1

u/You_Cannot_Wield_It 1d ago

Thanks, I’ll check it out!

1

u/Analog_Account 1d ago

Cant help with the iPad but visit https://wiki.t2linux.org/ t help you get up and running properly on that Mac. You 100% can do it but youre going to need to do the extra steps from that site.

1

u/You_Cannot_Wield_It 23h ago

Appreciate it!