Set Up Your New Mac with Just an iPhone? Yes, and It’s Brilliant
The Most Overlooked Feature in iOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4: Seamless Mac Setup with Your iPhone or iPad
Apple's iOS 18.4 and macOS Sequoia 15.4 introduced a variety of features, but one of the most powerful—and surprisingly under-the-radar—enhancements is the ability to set up a brand-new Mac using your iPhone or iPad.
What’s New?
This update dramatically simplifies the Mac onboarding process. When you start setting up a new Mac running macOS Sequoia 15.4, you'll now see an option to use your iPhone or iPad (running iOS/iPadOS 18.4 or later) to streamline the setup. The process is remarkably intuitive and feels like Apple at its best—clean, user-friendly, and secure.
How It Works
To take advantage of the feature, your iPhone or iPad must already be set up with your Apple ID and nearby with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. During Mac setup, when you reach the "Transfer Your Data" screen, you’ll be given the option to “Set up with iPhone or iPad.”
Once selected, your iOS device will detect the nearby Mac, and a secure, animated pattern will appear on the Mac screen. Scan it with your iPhone or iPad camera, and the setup begins. Your Apple ID, settings, and iCloud preferences transfer automatically. No typing. No back-and-forth logins. Just seamless onboarding.
Why It Matters
- Saves Time: The traditional Mac setup, while not overly complex, could be time-consuming. This new method cuts that time down significantly.
- Security First: Apple uses its secure pairing protocols—similar to those used in AirPods and Apple Watch setup—for authentication.
- Consistency: Your iCloud Keychain, Wi-Fi passwords, accessibility settings, and more are instantly available.
This is especially valuable for first-time Mac users who are already familiar with iOS. The learning curve is lowered, and the sense of continuity across Apple devices is reinforced.
For a Quick Look: Watch It in Action
Want to see how it works? This short video from Zollotech gives a helpful walkthrough of what's new in macOS Sequoia 15.4—including this hidden gem:
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Bibliography
- Aten, Jason. “With iOS 18.4, Apple Quietly Introduced 1 of Its Best Features Yet.” Inc., March 29, 2025. https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/with-ios-18-4-apple-quietly-introduced-1-of-its-best-features-yet/91171191
- McCann, John. “You Can Now Set up Your New Mac with an iPhone or iPad—and It Might Just Be the Best New Time-Saver.” TechRadar, March 30, 2025. https://www.techradar.com/computing/macs/you-can-now-set-up-your-new-mac-with-an-iphone-or-ipad-and-it-might-just-be-the-best-new-time-saver
- Zollotech. “macOS 15.4 Sequoia is Out! - What's New?” YouTube, April 2, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkF_0-P7KQ0
