Encore help.
Setup, connection and picture.
Search for what you see on your screen, ask a question, or pick a topic below.
Find your problem.
Install and setup
macOS says it can't check Encore.
That's the one-time warning for apps not registered with Apple. Follow the install guide or use the Terminal line. Step by step: macOS won't open Encore.
The website doesn't work in my iMac's browser.
Old iMacs run an old Safari. On the iMac, type encore-ivory-omega.vercel.app/imac into Safari: a light page with one button for Encore Receiver (macOS 10.13 or later) and one for Encore Receiver Legacy (OS X 10.10 to 10.12). Open the iMac page. To see your iMac's version, open the Apple menu → About This Mac.
The firewall blocks Encore Receiver.
On the iMac, open System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Firewall → Firewall Options and set Encore Receiver to Allow incoming connections. All steps.
It says to update the other app.
Update the older one. On the iMac: Encore Receiver menu → Check for Updates…, or open encore-ivory-omega.vercel.app/imac on the iMac. On the Mac: Settings → Updates → Check for Updates…. All steps.
How do I uninstall?
On the iMac, first turn off Use This iMac Only as a Screen and Open at login in the Encore Receiver menu, then quit Encore Receiver and drag it to the Trash. On the Mac, quit Encore and drag it from Applications to the Trash. All steps.
Connecting
The iMac doesn't appear on my Mac.
Check that Encore Receiver is open on the iMac and that both are on the same network, or connected by a cable. Allow Local Network for Encore on your Mac. Some guest and office networks hide devices from each other; use a cable there. All steps.
It doesn't connect after the iMac restarted.
Encore Receiver starts after someone logs in on the iMac. Log in once, or turn on automatic login in the Encore Receiver menu → What Encore Receiver Needs…. All steps.
The iMac doesn't wake up by itself.
Turn on Wake for network access on the iMac. Waking is reliable over Ethernet; over Wi-Fi it depends on your router. All steps.
Do I have to reconnect every day?
No. After the first pairing, Encore connects by itself when both Macs are awake and can see each other. Under Connect automatically in Settings, choose Always, Only on a cable or Off.
Can I connect more than one iMac?
Yes. Each iMac gets its own card in the Encore window, with its own Monitor or StandBy choice. Several iMacs.
Picture and speed
The screen on the iMac is black.
Encore needs Screen Recording permission. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording, switch on Encore, then quit and reopen it. All steps.
It's slow or blurry on Wi-Fi.
Over Wi-Fi the picture is always lower quality, especially when you are not on 5 GHz. A cable is the way to use the iMac as a monitor. All steps.
Encore says “Wi-Fi hiccups detected”.
AirDrop and Handoff briefly move your Mac's Wi-Fi to another channel. Set AirDrop to Receiving Off in Control Centre and turn off Handoff in System Settings → General → AirDrop & Handoff. A cable avoids it.
Do I need a cable?
To use the iMac as a monitor, yes: Wi-Fi works, but the picture is always lower quality, especially when you are not on 5 GHz. The keyboard and mouse only work over a cable. Using the iMac’s camera and microphone is coming soon. Sound works over both. Find the right cable with at least 400 Mbps between your Mac and the iMac.
Which Macs work
Which iMacs work?
Every Intel iMac from Late 2009 to 2020 with macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later. Look up yours on the compatibility page.
My iMac is from 2007, 2008 or Early 2009.
Download Encore Receiver Legacy on the iMac. It works on OS X 10.10 Yosemite, 10.11 El Capitan and 10.12 Sierra. It's on the download page.
Which Mac do I need?
Any Mac on macOS 14 Sonoma or later: a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, Mac Studio or a newer iMac.
Does it work with an Apple silicon iMac?
Not as the second screen: Encore Receiver is for Intel iMacs. A newer iMac can be your main Mac.
Using the iMac
Can I use the iMac's keyboard, mouse and speakers?
Yes. Keyboard and mouse: connect a cable, then turn them on under Use the iMac in Encore's Settings and allow Accessibility. Press Control-Option-Command-Esc on the iMac to switch back. Speakers: turn on Sound on this iMac; that works over Wi-Fi and a cable. All steps.
Can I use the iMac's camera and microphone?
Not yet. Using the iMac’s camera and microphone from your Mac is coming soon. All steps.
What is StandBy?
What the iMac shows while your Mac isn't using it as a screen: a clock face, weather, your calendar. Switch with Use as on the iMac's card. All steps.
Can I play music on the iMac?
Yes. The iMac is an AirPlay speaker while no Mac is connected to it. All steps.
Does the iMac answer “Hey Mac”?
Yes, with your own AI key, while it shows StandBy. Listening is off until you turn it on. All steps.
Where is the menu bar panel?
Move the pointer to the top edge of the screen, press Control-Option-E, or click the Encore icon. All steps.
Price, reporting and privacy
What does Encore cost?
Encore is free during the public beta. When the beta ends, the app tells you, and you then have 3 days to buy Encore to keep using it. See the terms.
Can I get a refund?
Read Refund if you change your mind in the terms. As written there: “you can ask for a refund of 50% of what you paid within 30 days of buying, once per order. A refund ends your license.”
How do I use a license key?
Open Settings → License… in Encore, paste the key and click Activate. All steps.
Where are the logs?
Mac: Settings → Log → Reveal Log in Finder, or ~/Library/Logs/Encore/sender.log. iMac: ~/Library/Logs/Encore Receiver/receiver.log. All steps.
How do I report a problem?
Use Report a Problem… in the app, or the report form. All steps.
Does my screen go over the internet?
No. The picture only travels between your Mac and your iMac, encrypted, over your own network or cable. There is no account and no Encore server.
Is this made by Apple?
No. Encore is an independent project. iMac and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc.
Still stuck?
Report it: every report gets read. Add your iMac's year and both macOS versions, and a log if you can.