OpenDisplay

TESIGN TAKE

Turns an iPhone or iPad you already own into a true extended display with no account or dongle.

AT A GLANCE

LICENSE

GPL-3.0

USAGE

Use freely. Release your source if you redistribute (copyleft).

LANGUAGE

Rust

PLATFORM

macos · ios

ACTIVITY

last commit 1 day ago (2026-11-01) · latest release v1.30.1 (2026-10-29) · 55 releases As of 11-02 02:16 UTC

COMMUNITY

9 contributors · 188 open issues (incl. PRs) · made by: an individual As of 11-02 02:16 UTC

SOURCES

GitHub

OPEN SOURCE

YES

FIRST SEEN

2026-09-13 07:43 UTC

WHY IT MATTERS

Adding one more screen to a Mac usually starts with buying a device or paying for an app. opendisplay connects an iPhone or iPad you already own over USB or WiFi and uses it as a second monitor. It states low-latency H.264, Retina HiDPI and touch input. Written in Swift and published under GPL-3.0.

BUILD FROM THIS

A portable setup that adds a second screen in a meeting room
A desk layout with the iPad kept for tool panels only

WHO IT'S FOR

Mac user: adds a second screen in a meeting room or café
Solo business: wants a second monitor without a paid app
Developer: keeps the iPad for docs and tool panels only

START IN 5 MINUTES

# Mac: open OpenDisplay.dmg from the latest release, drag to Applications (macOS 14+)
# iPhone/iPad: install the app via the TestFlight public beta (iOS 16+)
# Connect a data-capable USB cable, then allow Screen Recording and Accessibility

CAVEATS

Uses the private CGVirtualDisplay API, so a macOS update may break it
The iOS app installs via TestFlight or your own build, not the App Store
Encrypted WiFi transport is still on the roadmap

RECEIPT

FIRST SEEN

2026-09-13 07:43 UTC

AT SOURCE

2026-06-10 09:08 UTC

KEPT

2026-09-13 11:32 UTC

CREATED → FIRST SEEN

94d

WHEN FIRST SEEN

3,056 ★

SOURCES

GitHub

The same facts in machine-readable form — View as Markdown · JSON

SIMILAR TOOLS

Up to five from HARDWARE by ★ total: edited entries first, then repository cards; this entry is highlighted. Drawn from the same stored snapshot as the rankings — a comparison, not a recommendation. As of 11-01 21:00 UTC

NAME	★ TOTAL	▲ 7d	LICENSE	PLATFORM	LAST PUSH
DiPlayCarPlay for BYD Android head units	★ 13k	—	GPL-3.0copyleft	android	2026-10-28
Amagine3DEnclosure design for hardware makers	★ 6.3k	—	Apache-2.0permissive	web	2026-10-22
OpenDisplayiPad or iPhone as a Mac second monitorTHIS ENTRY	★ 6.1k	—	GPL-3.0copyleft	macos · ios	2026-11-01
OpenMouseGaming-mouse settings in the browser	★ 2.8k	—	AGPL-3.0copyleft	web	2026-10-31
makerspet/oomwooCARD	★ 10.7k	—	Apache-2.0permissive	—	2026-09-13