Troubleshooting.
Every fix, step by step.

Encore is not registered with Apple (that costs a yearly fee), so macOS asks you to confirm the first time you open each app.

1. On a Mac or iMac with macOS 15 or later: click Done, not Move to Trash. Then open System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll to Security, click Open Anyway and enter your password or use Touch ID.
2. On macOS 14, and on an iMac with an older macOS: in Applications, hold Control, click the app, choose Open, then Open again.
3. Prefer Terminal? Run curl -fsSL https://encore-ivory-omega.vercel.app/install.sh | bash on either Mac. It installs the right app for that Mac and macOS shows no warning. See the install guide.

Old iMacs run an old Safari that can't show the full site.

1. On the iMac, type encore-ivory-omega.vercel.app/imac into Safari: one light page with the two downloads.
2. Pick Encore Receiver for macOS 10.13 or later, or Encore Receiver Legacy for OS X 10.10 to 10.12. Your iMac's version is under Apple menu → About This Mac.

These older systems don't trust GitHub's download certificate.

1. Download Encore Receiver Legacy from the iMac page, encore-ivory-omega.vercel.app/imac. It serves the file directly.

Encore is running from the disk image. From there it can't start at login, connect by itself or update itself.

1. Click Move to Applications. Encore copies itself there (to Applications in your home folder if the main folder is not writable) and opens again.
2. If it says it couldn't be moved: open the window of the disk image and drag Encore to Applications, then open it from there.

On screen: “Move Encore to Applications?” “Encore is running from the disk image. In Applications it can start at login and connect by itself.” “Encore couldn't be moved. Drag it to Applications in the window of the disk image.”

The iMac app is running from the disk image, so it can't open by itself when the iMac starts, and it can't update itself.

1. Click Move to Applications. It moves itself and opens again.
2. If it can't move itself: drag Encore Receiver from the disk image window to Applications and open it there.

On screen: “Move Encore Receiver to Applications?” “It is running from the disk image, so it cannot open by itself when this iMac starts. It moves itself to Applications and opens again.” “Moving… Encore Receiver opens again in a moment.” “Encore Receiver could not move itself.” “Drag it from the disk image to Applications, then open it there.”

The first time Encore Receiver opens, it asks a few things on the iMac's screen.

1. Name this iMac. Your Mac shows this name when it finds the iMac.
2. Show the weather? Type your city, or leave it empty to skip.
3. Always ready. Open at login, and whether to use the iMac only as a screen.
4. Ready after a restart. Automatic login, your choice.
5. Wake for network access. Then your Mac can wake the iMac. You can change all of this later: see the iMac checklist.

There are two apps: one for your Mac and one for the iMac.

1. Encore goes on your Mac (macOS 14 Sonoma or later).
2. Encore Receiver goes on an Intel iMac from Late 2009 to 2020 with macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later.
3. Encore Receiver Legacy goes on a 2007 to Early 2009 iMac with OS X 10.10 to 10.12. All are on the download page.

It depends on the iMac's year and the macOS version it runs.

1. Open Apple menu → About This Mac on the iMac and note the model year and macOS version.
2. Late 2009 to 2020 with macOS 10.13 or later: Encore Receiver. 2007 to Early 2009: Encore Receiver Legacy, which runs on OS X 10.10 to 10.12.
3. Look up your iMac on the compatibility page.

Encore Receiver is made for Intel iMacs.

1. A newer iMac can be your main Mac, with an Intel iMac as the second screen.

Apple's Target Display Mode only works with a Mac from 2019 or earlier on macOS Catalina 10.15.8 or earlier, and never with Apple silicon.

1. Use Encore instead: it works with any Mac on macOS 14 or later. See compatibility.

The Mac can't see the iMac on the network, usually because of the network, Local Network permission or the iMac's firewall.

1. Open Encore Receiver on the iMac. It must be running.
2. Put both Macs on the same Wi-Fi network, or connect them with a cable.
3. On your Mac, allow Local Network for Encore in System Settings → Privacy & Security. The Open Settings button in Encore goes there.
4. On an iMac with macOS 15 or later, allow Local Network for Encore Receiver too: open What Encore Receiver Needs… in the Encore Receiver menu.
5. On a guest or office network, devices are often kept apart. Use a cable between the two Macs, or a home network.

On screen: “Open Encore Receiver on your iMac.” “It shows a 4-digit code. Your iMac appears here by itself.” “No iMac yet.” “Check that both Macs are on the same wifi, or connect them with a cable. Some guest and office networks hide devices from each other.” “Allow Local Network access for Encore in System Settings.” “Looking for iMacs…”

The iMac's firewall refuses the connection from your Mac.

1. In the Encore Receiver menu, choose What Encore Receiver Needs… and look at the Firewall row. Open Firewall Settings opens the right pane.
2. Or on the iMac, open System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Firewall → Firewall Options (on macOS 13 or later: System Settings → Network → Firewall → Options) and set Encore Receiver to Allow incoming connections.
3. If macOS asks when you first open the app, click Allow.

On screen: “Incoming connections for Encore Receiver must be allowed.”

Another screen-sharing app on the iMac holds the network port Encore Receiver needs.

1. Quit other screen-sharing apps on the iMac.
2. Reopen Encore Receiver.

On screen: “Another app is using Encore's network port.” “Quit other screen-sharing apps and reopen Encore Receiver.”

The iMac has no Wi-Fi and no cable.

1. Join your Wi-Fi on the iMac, or connect a cable to your Mac.

On screen: “Not connected to a network.” “Join your wifi, or connect a cable to your Mac.” “No network”

Encore only offers Wi-Fi for an iMac it can reach over Wi-Fi.

1. Put the iMac on the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac, or use a cable.

On screen: “This iMac isn't on your wifi network.”

The iMac only shows its 4-digit code when a Mac asks for it, and hides it again two minutes after the last try.

1. Open Encore on your Mac. A new iMac's card says New iMac. Connect to pair.
2. Click Connect. The code appears on the iMac's screen.
3. Or click on the iMac's screen: that shows the code too.
4. Nothing to click on the iMac after that: type the code on your Mac.

On screen: “New iMac. Connect to pair.” “Type the code shown on your iMac.” “Type this code on your Mac.” “Open Encore on your Mac.” “The code appears here as soon as your Mac asks.” “This iMac shows a pairing code as soon as your Mac asks for one.” “Open Encore on your Mac and choose this iMac. The code appears here.” “Choose this iMac in Encore on your Mac: the code appears here.” “The code hides again after two minutes.” “Pairing another Mac? Choose this iMac in Encore on it.”

The digits typed on the Mac are not the ones on the iMac now. A new code appears after a wrong code, and every few minutes.

1. Look at the iMac's screen and type the code it shows now.

On screen: “That code doesn't match. The iMac shows a new one.” “That code doesn't match. Check the iMac's screen and try again.”

After several wrong codes, pairing pauses for safety.

1. Wait a minute, then choose the iMac again and type the code it shows.

On screen: “Too many tries. Wait a minute, then try again.”

Only one Mac pairs with the iMac at a time.

1. Wait a moment and click Try Again.

On screen: “The iMac is pairing with another Mac. Try again in a moment.”

The pairing was interrupted, often by the network.

1. Click Try Again.
2. Keep both Macs on the same network. A cable between them helps.
3. If it keeps happening, quit and reopen Encore Receiver on the iMac.

On screen: “Pairing didn't finish.” “That took too long. Try again.” “Try again. If it keeps happening, restart Encore on the iMac.” “Contacting [iMac name]…” “Keep both Macs on the same network.”

Pairing was refused on the iMac, or the codes on the two screens did not match.

1. Choose the iMac again in Encore and click Try Again.
2. Make sure nobody else is pairing with this iMac at the same time.

On screen: “Someone clicked Don't Allow on the iMac.” “The codes were different, so nothing was paired. Try again.”

The iMac runs an older version of Encore Receiver.

1. Type the code as usual, or update Encore Receiver: in its menu choose Check for Updates…, or open encore-ivory-omega.vercel.app/imac on the iMac.

On screen: “Update Encore Receiver on your iMac for one-click pairing.”

Several new iMacs pair one after another, because the code sheet is for one iMac at a time.

1. Finish the pairing that is open. The next iMac then gets its turn.

On screen: “Waiting to pair…”

On the iMac you can forget every Mac that was paired. Each Mac then pairs again with a new code the next time it connects.

1. In the Encore Receiver menu on the iMac, choose Forget Paired Macs… and confirm with Forget.
2. Choose the iMac in Encore on your Mac and type the new code it shows.

On screen: “Forget all paired Macs?” “Each Mac pairs again with a code the next time it connects.”

The iMac went to sleep, lost the network or was switched off.

1. Encore keeps trying by itself. Click Try Now to retry at once.
2. Check that the iMac is on and on the same network or cable, and that Encore Receiver is open on it.
3. On the iMac you see a small notice while it waits. The picture comes back as soon as the Mac is back. If it says Can't reach this iMac. Connect to try again., click Connect on its card.

On screen: “Can't reach the iMac.” “Encore keeps trying in the background. Check that the iMac is on and on the same network.” “Lost the connection. Retrying…” “Can't reach this iMac. Connect to try again.” “Connection lost. Reconnecting…” “Still trying. Check that your Mac is on and nearby.” “Reconnecting to [Mac name]…” “No Mac connected”

After the first pairing, Encore connects by itself when both Macs are awake and can see each other.

1. In the Encore window, click the round gear button to open Settings.
2. Under Connect automatically, choose Always, Only on a cable or Off. There used to be an Only on this network choice; it is gone since 0.9.0 because it never worked, and anyone who had it selected now connects automatically as usual.

After you click Disconnect, the iMac stays off until you connect it again.

1. Click Connect on the iMac's card, or use the menu bar panel.

Encore Receiver starts when someone logs in on the iMac.

1. Log in on the iMac once.
2. To be ready after every restart, turn on automatic login: in the Encore Receiver menu choose What Encore Receiver Needs…, then Open Users & Groups on the Automatic login row. Anyone with access to the iMac can then use it without a password.
3. Keep Open at login on in the Encore Receiver menu.

On screen: “Encore Receiver starts when someone logs in. To be ready right after a restart, turn on automatic login for this account. Anyone with access to this iMac can then use it without a password.”

Encore can wake a sleeping iMac over the network. That needs Wake for network access; over Wi-Fi it also depends on your router.

1. On the iMac, turn on Wake for network access in System Preferences → Energy Saver (on newer macOS, search System Settings for “Wake for network access”). The Wake for network access row in What Encore Receiver Needs… opens the right pane.
2. Keep Always Stay Awake for Your Mac on in the Encore Receiver menu (it is on by default): the iMac then keeps listening instead of sleeping.
3. If it still does not wake, wake the iMac by hand with its keyboard or mouse.

On screen: “Turn on Wake for network access in System Preferences → Energy Saver. Then your Mac can wake this iMac when it's asleep.” “Turn on Wake for network access in System Settings (search for “Wake for network access”). Then your Mac can wake this iMac when it's asleep.”

macOS locks the iMac after sleep unless that is turned off.

1. In the Encore Receiver menu, turn on Use This iMac Only as a Screen. The screen saver then stays off.
2. Then open What Encore Receiver Needs… and find the row Wake without a password. On macOS 10.13 or 10.14, click Turn Off Password. On newer systems the button is Open Lock Screen Settings or Open Security & Privacy, where you turn the password off yourself.
3. To get your screen saver settings back later, turn off Use This iMac Only as a Screen.

On screen: “The iMac sleeps when unused and wakes to its standby, never to a password prompt.” “Asks for a password”

When your Mac sleeps, the iMac waits and shows StandBy, and the Mac reconnects when it wakes.

1. Wake your Mac. It reconnects by itself.
2. To avoid this, turn on Keep the Mac awake while connected in Encore's Settings. With the lid closed the Mac still sleeps.

On screen: “Mac Went to Sleep” “[Mac name] reconnects when it wakes.”

The Mac stopped using the iMac on purpose, or it quit.

1. Nothing is wrong. The screen turns off after a moment and comes back when the Mac reconnects.
2. To use the iMac again now, click Connect in Encore on your Mac.

On screen: “Your Mac disconnected.” “This screen turns off in 30 seconds. It comes back when [Mac name] reconnects.” “Disconnected” “[Mac name] stopped using this iMac.”

Encore works over Wi-Fi or a cable, but a cable is the way to use the iMac as a monitor.

1. Over Wi-Fi the picture is always lower quality, especially when you are not on 5 GHz.
2. Over a cable with at least 400 Mbps you get the sharp, lossless picture.
3. The camera, microphone, keyboard and mouse only work over a cable. Ultra also needs a cable. Sound works over both.
4. Find the right cable for your iMac in Which cable.

The connection between the Mac and the iMac must carry at least 400 Mbps, end to end.

1. For a 2017 to 2020 iMac: use a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 cable with the lightning-bolt logo. A USB-C charging cable won't work.
2. For a 2011 to 2015 iMac: Apple's Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter and a Thunderbolt 2 cable, or Gigabit Ethernet.
3. For a 2009 or 2010 iMac: Gigabit Ethernet.
4. The slowest part counts: adapter, hub, cable and router port. Everything is in Which cable.

The cable or adapter doesn't carry data between the two Macs, or the two apps need updating.

1. Check the cable against Which cable. A charging cable does not work.
2. Update both apps: Encore also sees a cable straight from the Mac to the iMac without a router, and every new connection starts on the cable when there is one.
3. Unplug the cable and plug it in again: running sessions move to the cable by themselves.
4. If you picked Wi-Fi by hand, that choice stays until you disconnect.

On screen: “No cable between these Macs. Plug in Ethernet or Thunderbolt and this lights up.”

Each iMac has its own Connection choice. A new connection always starts on the cable when there is one.

1. In the Encore window, use the Connection choice on the iMac's card: Cable or Wi-Fi.
2. Or click the Connection tile in the menu bar panel.
3. A choice for Wi-Fi only lasts until you disconnect. The next connection starts on the cable again.

On screen: “Cable when there is one. Click to switch between cable and Wi-Fi.”

The adapter or hub loses the link again and again.

1. Plug the adapter straight into your Mac, not into a hub.

On screen: “Cable found, but it keeps dropping out. Plug the adapter straight into your Mac, not into a hub.”

A slow adapter or router port limits the whole link. The sharp, lossless picture needs at least 400 Mbps, and Encore shows this note when the adapter runs below Gigabit.

1. Use a Gigabit adapter. The slowest part counts: adapter, hub, cable and router port.
2. Or run the cable straight from the Mac to the iMac.

On screen: “This adapter only does [number] Mbit/s. Use a Gigabit adapter for the sharpest picture.”

2.4 GHz is slow and crowded, and never gives a sharp picture. Encore shows this note first.

1. Move that Mac to your 5 GHz network for a sharper, smoother picture.
2. A cable is the way to use the iMac as a monitor. Wi-Fi always gives a lower picture quality, especially when you are not on 5 GHz.

On screen: “Your Mac is on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Move it to the 5 GHz network for a sharper, smoother picture.” “This iMac is on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Move it to the 5 GHz network for a sharper, smoother picture.”

The iMac or the Mac is far from the router, or on a slow band.

1. Move the iMac closer to the router, switch to 5 GHz, or use a cable.
2. A cable is the way to use the iMac as a monitor. Wi-Fi always gives a lower picture quality, especially when you are not on 5 GHz.

On screen: “Weak Wi-Fi signal ([number] dBm). Move the iMac closer to the router, or use a cable.” “Slow Wi-Fi link ([number] Mbit/s). Move closer to the router or switch to 5 GHz.”

AirDrop and Handoff briefly move your Mac's Wi-Fi to another channel.

1. Set AirDrop to Receiving Off in Control Centre.
2. Turn off Handoff in System Settings → General → AirDrop & Handoff.
3. A cable avoids it. A cable is the way to use the iMac as a monitor. Wi-Fi always gives a lower picture quality, especially when you are not on 5 GHz.

On screen: “Wi-Fi hiccups detected. Turn off AirDrop and Handoff, or use a cable.”

Encore needs Screen Recording permission. It records only its own extra screen.

1. Click Open System Settings in Encore, or open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording (Screen Recording on macOS 14).
2. Switch on Encore.
3. Click Quit & Reopen when macOS asks, or quit and reopen Encore.

On screen: “Encore can't see the extra screen.” “Screen Recording is off for Encore. Without it the iMac stays black.” “Switch on Encore in the list, then click Quit & Reopen.”

macOS didn't create Encore's virtual display.

1. Quit and reopen Encore.
2. If it keeps happening, restart your Mac.
3. If you have a display or HDMI dummy plug connected, click Use External Display: Encore can show that screen on the iMac. Otherwise Reveal Log in Finder shows the log for a report.

On screen: “The extra screen didn't start.” “macOS didn't create the virtual display. Restart Encore. If it keeps happening, restart your Mac.” “Or plug an HDMI dummy plug into this Mac: Encore can show that screen on the iMac.”

The video encoder stopped. Encore restarts it by itself.

1. Wait a moment.
2. If the picture stays frozen, click Try Now, or disconnect and connect again.

On screen: “Video encoding stopped.” “Encore restarted it. If the picture stays frozen, disconnect and connect again.”

Over Wi-Fi the picture is always lower quality, especially when you are not on 5 GHz. Encore also lowers quality on a weak link so the picture keeps moving.

1. Connect the iMac with a cable. To use it as a monitor, that is the way to do it. See Which cable.
2. If you stay on Wi-Fi: use 5 GHz and keep both Macs near the router.
3. Text that softens while it moves turns exact again once the screen is still.

Each iMac has its own Picture choice, on its card in the Encore window and as the Picture tile in the menu bar panel. Sharp is the default.

1. Sharp keeps text crisp while things move.
2. Smooth keeps 60 fps for video and games.
3. Ultra is pixel-exact in motion. It is sharper, not faster, and is only offered when the cable and the iMac can carry it. See the next item.

On screen: “Sharp keeps text crisp while things move. Smooth keeps 60 fps for video and games.” “Ultra: pixel-exact in motion. Sharper, not faster. Needs a cable and an iMac that decodes it in time.”

Ultra sends every frame as ProRes 4444. It only appears on the iMac's card when the cable and the iMac qualify.

1. Use a cable. Ultra never runs over Wi-Fi.
2. Over Gigabit Ethernet, Ultra works on iMac panels up to 1920 × 1200. Over Thunderbolt or Ethernet of 2.5 Gbit/s or more, any panel works, and the picture is at most 2560 × 1440.
3. The iMac must decode the picture in time. Encore measures this on the iMac and only offers Ultra when it fits.
4. Ultra is not on by default: choose it under Picture on the iMac's card.

Ultra needs a cable and an iMac that decodes it in time. When frames arrive too late, Encore falls back by itself.

1. Encore goes back to Sharp until you reconnect. Use Sharp on this iMac.

On screen: “Ultra stopped: this iMac could not decode it in time. Back to Sharp until you reconnect.”

Encore can use a higher internal resolution for text.

1. In Settings, turn on Sharper text (HiDPI). It takes effect the next time an iMac connects.
2. A cable gives the sharpest picture. See Which cable.

On screen: “Takes effect the next time an iMac connects.”

A slow or crowded link, or an iMac that can only decode so much video.

1. Use a cable. If you stay on Wi-Fi, use 5 GHz and keep both Macs near the router, and see Wi-Fi hiccups detected.
2. For video and games, choose Smooth on the iMac's card or Picture tile.
3. On a 2007 to Early 2009 iMac with Encore Receiver Legacy, a smaller picture is normal: Encore sends what the iMac measures it can decode, and scales it up.

Older versions kept the extra screen while the iMac showed StandBy.

1. Update both apps. Since 0.5.6 your windows come back to the Mac in StandBy, and the screen returns when you switch back to Monitor.

The Mac's sound plays on the iMac only when sound is on for that iMac. Sound works over Wi-Fi and over a cable.

1. Turn on Sound on this iMac on the iMac's card in the Encore window, or the Sound tile in the menu bar panel.
2. Your Mac's volume keys set the volume on the iMac.
3. In Settings, Play sound on lists every place the sound can go.

On screen: “Sound Plays Here” “Sound from [Mac name] plays on this iMac.”

Your Mac's sound can play on this Mac, on one or more iMacs, at the same moment.

1. Open Settings and find Play sound on. Switch on This Mac and the iMacs you want.
2. At least one place stays on: the last one on cannot be turned off.

On screen: “Pick one or more. They all play at the same moment.”

This is off by default. It only works over a cable and needs Accessibility permission on your Mac.

1. Connect the iMac with a cable. Over Wi-Fi the switch is off.
2. In Encore's Settings, under Use the iMac, turn on Keyboard and mouse.
3. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility (the Open Settings button in Encore goes there) and switch on Encore.

On screen: “Only over a cable. Connect the iMac with a cable to use its keyboard and mouse.” “Allow Accessibility so Encore can type and click for you.” “To use this keyboard and mouse on your Mac, allow Encore in Accessibility there.” “Keyboard and mouse: allow Encore in Accessibility on your Mac.” “Needs Accessibility. Open Encore to allow it.”

While they control your Mac, the iMac itself doesn't react to them.

1. Press Control-Option-Command-Esc (⌃⌥⌘⎋) on the iMac to switch back. Press it again to control your Mac again.

On screen: “Your keyboard and mouse now control your Mac. Press ⌃⌥⌘⎋ to switch back.” “This keyboard and mouse control the iMac again.” “Keyboard and mouse control this iMac. Press ⌃⌥⌘⎋ to switch back.” “Keyboard and mouse control your Mac. ⌃⌥⌘⎋ switches back.” “Keyboard and mouse control this iMac. ⌃⌥⌘⎋ switches to your Mac.”

The iMac's camera and microphone only work over a cable, on an encrypted connection, and need a one-time setup on the Mac.

1. Connect the Mac and the iMac with a cable.
2. Using the iMac's camera and microphone from your Mac is coming soon, so these steps may not work yet.
3. In Encore, turn on Camera and microphone on the iMac's card, or the Camera tile in the menu bar panel. Nothing records until an app on your Mac uses it.
4. In Encore's Settings, under Camera and microphone, click Set Up Camera… and follow what macOS asks. The camera shows up as the iMac's name followed by Camera.
5. Then choose it in FaceTime, Zoom or Teams. Choose [iMac name] Microphone the same way.

On screen: “Only over a cable. The iMac's camera turns on only while an app on this Mac uses it; its green light shows it.” “Connect a cable to use this iMac's camera and microphone.” “Connect the iMac with a cable to use its camera and microphone.” “The iMac's camera and microphone work over a cable only. Connect a cable to use them.” “Connect an iMac with a cable to use its camera and microphone in calls.” “Ready. Choose “[iMac name] Camera” in FaceTime, Zoom or Teams.” “In use by an app on this Mac.”

macOS only allows camera extensions from apps signed with an Apple Developer ID. Encore is signed with its own certificate, so macOS can refuse this step.

1. Make sure Encore is in the Applications folder.
2. Click Set Up Camera… in Settings, under Camera and microphone. macOS may ask for your password for the microphone driver.
3. If macOS asks you to allow it: open System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions → Camera Extensions and allow Encore. Restart your Mac if Encore asks.
4. If macOS refuses the camera with an error, the camera can't be set up in this version. Please send a report with the error text.

On screen: “Set up the camera once to see it in FaceTime, Zoom and Teams.” “Allow Encore in System Settings, General, Login Items & Extensions, Camera Extensions.” “Restart your Mac to finish.” “move Encore to the Applications folder first”

The iMac must allow Encore Receiver to use the camera and microphone, and only one app can use the camera at a time.

1. On the iMac, open System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Privacy → Camera and Microphone and allow Encore Receiver.
2. Close any other app on the iMac that uses the camera.

On screen: “Allow the camera and microphone on the iMac, in System Preferences, Security & Privacy.” “Another app on the iMac is using its camera.”

Only one iMac at a time can be the camera.

1. Turn off Camera and microphone on the other iMac's card, or disconnect that iMac.

On screen: “Another iMac is the camera now.”

The iMac has no usable camera, is running an old Encore Receiver, or the connection isn't encrypted.

1. Update Encore on the iMac: Encore Receiver menu → Check for Updates….
2. If the message asks for an encrypted connection, pair the iMac again: see pair again.

On screen: “This iMac has no camera Encore can use. Update Encore on the iMac.” “Needs an encrypted connection. Pair this iMac again.”

Each iMac gets its own card in the Encore window, with its own Monitor or StandBy choice, Picture, Connection and sound.

1. New iMacs pair one at a time: type each code as it comes.
2. To connect them all, click Connect All in the menu of the Encore icon in the Dock.
3. Sound can play on one or more iMacs: see where the sound plays.
4. Only one iMac at a time can be the camera.

iMacs on the same Wi-Fi share its capacity.

1. Connect the busiest iMac with a cable, as Encore suggests. Every screen gets smoother.
2. A cable is the way to use the iMac as a monitor. Wi-Fi always gives a lower picture quality, especially when you are not on 5 GHz.

On screen: “[number] iMacs share this Mac's Wi-Fi” “Connect [iMac name], the busiest one, with a cable and every screen gets smoother.”

StandBy is what the iMac shows while your Mac isn't using it as a screen. You can also switch a connected iMac to it.

1. On the iMac's card, set Use as to StandBy. Or click the StandBy tile in the menu bar panel.
2. To use it as a screen again, choose Monitor.
3. The round clock button in the Encore window opens the StandBy settings for each iMac.

Encore has 24 clock faces, and six widget layouts.

1. On your Mac: open the StandBy settings (the round clock button) and pick a face under Faces, or Layouts for widgets.
2. In the menu bar panel: press and hold the StandBy tile to choose a face, or StandBy Settings… for the rest.
3. On the iMac: click its screen for the home view, and use the arrow keys to switch faces.
4. Don't see the twelve new faces from 0.9.0? Update Encore Receiver on the iMac.

On screen: “What this iMac shows while your Mac isn't using it. Click its screen for the home view, use the arrow keys to switch faces.”

Without a city there is no weather. The iMac gets the forecast from the internet.

1. Add a city: in the StandBy settings on your Mac, fill in Weather city, or in the Encore Receiver menu on the iMac choose Weather City….
2. Make sure the iMac has an internet connection.

On screen: “Type your city and the standby screen shows its weather. Leave it empty to skip.”

Calendar events come from your Mac, and only when you turn them on for that iMac.

1. In the StandBy settings for that iMac, pick a widget layout, or one of the faces Obelisk, Almanac, Overprint or Circuit, and turn on Calendar events. macOS asks once for access to your calendars.
2. If it says calendar access is off: open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Calendars and allow Encore.
3. The Mac has to be connected for its calendar to reach the iMac.

On screen: “Calendar access is off. Turn it on in System Settings, Privacy & Security, Calendars.”

Photos are added on your Mac and sent to the iMac.

1. In the StandBy settings, under Photos, click Add Photos… and choose your photos.
2. Encore prepares them on your Mac, and the iMac's photo faces use them.

On screen: “Add photos in Encore on your Mac: StandBy on this iMac.”

Without a Mac, the screen turns off after a short while. Encore Receiver stays ready.

1. Touch the iMac's keyboard or mouse, or connect from your Mac. Music starting lights it up too.
2. Change how soon in the StandBy settings, under Screen off without a Mac, or turn off Let the screen sleep when not in use in the Encore Receiver menu.

The night setting dims the clock.

1. Turn off Dim the Clock at Night in the Encore Receiver menu, or Dim red at night in the StandBy settings.

The iMac is an AirPlay speaker only while no Mac is connected to it.

1. Disconnect the iMac in Encore on your Mac. As long as a Mac is connected to it, also in StandBy, it is not an AirPlay speaker.
2. Keep the iMac on the same network as your iPhone or Mac.
3. Pick the iMac's name as the speaker in Spotify, YouTube, Music or Control Centre.

The Now Playing screen can also show what your Mac plays while the iMac is connected in StandBy.

1. In the StandBy settings, turn on Show this Mac’s music on the iMac. The first time, macOS may ask if Encore may control Music or Spotify.
2. Lyrics are on by default when they exist: turn Show lyrics with music off if you don't want them.

On screen: “Playing on this iMac”

Listening is off until you turn it on, and Hey Mac needs an AI key. It only listens while the iMac shows StandBy, never while your Mac uses the iMac as a screen.

1. In the Encore Receiver menu on the iMac, turn on Listen for “Hey Mac”. macOS asks for the microphone on 10.14 or later. The first time it downloads the speech model; the menu shows “getting ready…” until it's done.
2. Add an AI key: Encore Receiver menu → Assistant Key…, or in Encore's Settings on your Mac under Assistant on the iMac → AI key → Send to iMac. Keys from Anthropic (sk-ant-…) or an OpenAI-compatible service work.
3. Ask while the iMac rests in StandBy: say “Hey Mac” and your question. The wake word and your question are recognised on the iMac itself; only the text of the question leaves it.
4. Press Esc or click to close the answer.

On screen: “Listen for “Hey Mac”” “Your AI key” “Paste an API key from Anthropic (sk-ant-…) or from any OpenAI-compatible service. It stays in this iMac’s Keychain and is only used to answer your questions.”

Hey Mac has no key, or the service refused the key.

1. Choose Assistant Key… in the Encore Receiver menu and paste or check your key.
2. Or add it from your Mac: Settings → Assistant on the iMac → AI key → Send to iMac. The iMac must be connected over an encrypted link.

On screen: “Add an AI key first” “Choose Assistant Key… in the Encore Receiver menu, or add it in Encore’s settings on your Mac.” “The AI key was not accepted” “Check it under Assistant Key… in the Encore Receiver menu.” “Not sent: connect an iMac with Encore Receiver over an encrypted link first.”

The microphone is not allowed for Encore Receiver.

1. On the iMac, open System Preferences › Security & Privacy › Privacy › Microphone and allow Encore Receiver.
2. Turn on Listen for “Hey Mac” again in the Encore Receiver menu.

On screen: “Encore Receiver can’t hear you” “Allow the microphone for Encore Receiver in System Preferences › Security & Privacy › Privacy › Microphone, then turn listening on again.”

The speech model has not downloaded yet.

1. Check the iMac's internet connection. The model downloads once when you turn on listening.
2. Wait until the menu no longer says “getting ready…”.

On screen: “Speech recognition is not ready yet” “It downloads once when you turn on listening. Check the internet connection.”

The iMac needs the internet to answer, and your AI service can be busy.

1. Check the iMac's internet connection.
2. Ask again in a moment.

On screen: “No connection to the AI” “This iMac needs the internet to answer. Try again in a moment.” “The AI is busy right now” “Ask again in a moment.” “No answer to that one” “Try asking it another way.”

The panel opens when the pointer rests at the top edge, when you scroll up there, with a keyboard shortcut, or when you click the Encore icon.

1. Move the pointer up to the top edge of the screen and rest it there, or scroll up there.
2. Or press ⌃⌥E (Control-Option-E), or click the Encore icon in the menu bar.
3. Check that Menu bar panel is on in Encore's Settings. Its Place is Under the Encore icon or In the middle, from the notch, and the shortcut is under Open the menu bar panel.
4. Update to the latest version: since 0.8.5 the panel opens reliably.

On screen: “Move the pointer to the top edge and rest it there: the panel drops down.” “Off: the Encore icon opens its menu, and the shortcut opens the Encore window.”

macOS has no room for the icon in a full menu bar.

1. Hover at the top edge to the right of the notch, or press the shortcut shown in the message.
2. On macOS 26, also check that Encore is allowed in System Settings → Menu Bar.
3. The Encore icon's menu, with Reveal Log in Finder, opens with a right click or Control-click on the icon.

On screen: “The Encore icon is hidden behind the camera notch because the menu bar is full. Hover at the top edge right of the notch or press [shortcut].” “On macOS 26, also check that Encore is allowed in System Settings → Menu Bar.”

From version 0.5.0 both apps update themselves. They check at launch and every 6 hours, and only install while no iMac shows a picture.

1. On the Mac: Settings → Updates → Check for Updates…, or in the menu of the Encore icon. After an update your iMacs reconnect by themselves.
2. On the iMac: Encore Receiver menu → Check for Updates…. The iMac shows a small card, Updated to [version], after it updated.
3. Encore Receiver Legacy updates itself the same way.

On screen: “Up to date ([version])” “Checking for updates…” “Encore Receiver [version] found, installing…” “Downloading an update…” “Updated to [version]” “Encore Receiver is up to date.”

The two apps need versions that work together.

1. Update the app that is older. On the iMac: Encore Receiver menu → Check for Updates…, or open encore-ivory-omega.vercel.app/imac on the iMac.
2. On the Mac: Settings → Updates → Check for Updates….
3. On a version older than 0.5.0, download the latest app once from the download page.
4. The iMac's card says Needs an update until it is done. The Send to iMac button named in older messages is no longer in the app: use the iMac page instead.

On screen: “Update Encore on your iMac.” “The iMac has an older version of Encore Receiver. Open encore-ivory-omega.vercel.app/imac on the iMac, or use Send to iMac.” “Update Encore on this Mac.” “The iMac has a newer version. Updating takes a few seconds.” “Needs an update” “Update Encore on this iMac.” “Your Mac has a newer version. Open encore-ivory-omega.vercel.app/imac to update.” “Your Mac needs an update.” “Update Encore on your Mac, then it connects again.”

Updates only work for an app in Applications, with an internet connection.

1. Move Encore Receiver to Applications and open it from there: see moving it.
2. On the Mac, move Encore to Applications too; Check for Updates… stays greyed out otherwise.
3. Check the iMac's internet connection and try Check for Updates… again.

On screen: “Could not check for updates” “Move Encore Receiver to Applications to get updates”

Encore is free during the public beta. No account and no card.

1. There is nothing to buy right now. Download both apps from the download page.
2. When the beta ends, the app tells you. You then have 3 days to buy Encore and keep using it. See the terms.

The license is needed once Encore is on sale and your free period is over. Your iMacs keep showing StandBy and their home view.

1. In Encore, open Settings → License….
2. Click Buy Encore, or paste your key under License key and click Activate.

On screen: “Encore needs a license to connect.” “Your iMacs keep showing StandBy and their home view. Buy a license, or enter the key you received.” “Connect needs a license. Your iMacs keep showing StandBy.”

The license is not needed yet. Until that date everything works as before.

1. Nothing to do today. Open Settings → License… when you want to buy or enter a key.

On screen: “Encore will need a license from [date].” “Your trial runs until [date].” “Everything works during the trial. After that, Connect needs a license.” “Encore is free during early access.”

Your key appears right after payment and is sent to the e-mail address you used at checkout. It is checked on this Mac only; nothing is sent.

1. Open Settings → License… in Encore. If it says Encore is free, click Have a license key?
2. Paste the key and click Activate.
3. Or use the button after paying: Open Encore on the welcome page puts the key straight in.

On screen: “Have a license key?” “License key” “Your key is checked on this Mac. Nothing about you or your Macs is sent anywhere.” “Encore is licensed. Thank you.”

The key was cut off or mistyped, or it is past its date.

1. Check it for typos, or copy and paste the whole key again.
2. If the license expired, open Settings → License… and click Buy Encore, or use the contact details on the terms page.

On screen: “That key isn't valid. Check it for typos, or paste it again.” “That license expired on [date].” “Your license expired on [date]. Your iMacs keep showing StandBy and their home view.”

The license is for your own Macs and every iMac you own. The key is stored on each Mac.

1. On the new Mac, install Encore and open Settings → License….
2. Paste your key under License key and click Activate.
3. On the old Mac you can click Remove License from This Mac in the same place.

On screen: “Remove License from This Mac”

The rules are in the terms of sale.

1. 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.”
2. If Encore is faulty, the “If Encore is faulty” section of the terms applies; the 50% limit does not apply to that.

During the public beta Encore is free, and in return we ask you to report the problems you run into.

1. Use the report form, or Report a Problem in the app.
2. When the beta ends, the app tells you, and you have 3 days to buy Encore to keep using it. See the terms.

Every report gets read. The form asks what went wrong and how to make it happen again.

1. On your Mac: choose Report a Problem… in the Encore menu, the menu of the Encore icon, or in Settings. On the iMac: in the Encore Receiver menu. It opens the report form with your version, macOS and model filled in.
2. Describe what went wrong and how to repeat it. A screenshot and your e-mail are optional.
3. To add a log, see where the logs are and paste it into the Log field.

Each app writes its own log file on its own computer, in your Library folder.

1. On the Mac: Settings → Log → Reveal Log in Finder, or the same item in the menu of the Encore icon (right-click or Control-click it). The file is ~/Library/Logs/Encore/sender.log, with older logs next to it as sender.1.log and so on.
2. On the iMac: open Finder, choose Go → Go to Folder… and enter ~/Library/Logs/Encore Receiver/. The file is receiver.log.
3. To send a log: open the file, copy the last lines and paste them into the Log field of the report form. The Mac's log never holds pairing codes, tokens or keys.

Screen Recording is needed to show your extra screen. The rest helps Encore connect by itself. You see them all in one place.

1. In Encore, open Settings → Permissions…. Each row says what it is for and has a button to the exact pane.
2. Screen Recording: required. Local Network: finds iMacs on your network. Open at login: starts Encore when you log in. Accessibility: only if you use the iMac's keyboard and mouse.

On screen: “Screen Recording is needed to show your extra screen. The rest helps Encore connect by itself.” “Shows your extra screen on the iMac. Only that screen, and it never leaves your network.” “Encore looks for iMacs on your local network. Nothing goes over the internet.” “Then your iMac connects as soon as you open your Mac.” “Lets the iMac's keyboard and mouse type and click on this Mac. Only when you turn it on.” “Asked when Encore looks for iMacs”

Screen Recording only takes effect after Encore restarts.

1. Quit and reopen Encore. Use Quit & Reopen if macOS offers it.
2. Make sure the switch next to Encore is on in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording (Screen Recording on macOS 14).
3. The permission stays after an update, because every Encore update is signed with the same certificate.

On the iMac, Encore Receiver can list what it needs, with a status and a button for each.

1. In the Encore Receiver menu, choose What Encore Receiver Needs….
2. Each row shows its status: Local Network (macOS 15 or later), Open at login, Automatic login, Wake for network access, Firewall, Keyboard and mouse, Wake without a password.
3. Its buttons, such as Open Privacy & Security and Open Firewall Settings, open the right pane. Nothing changes unless you change it.

On screen: “What Encore Receiver needs” “Read from this iMac. Nothing changes unless you change it.” “Lets your Mac find and reach this iMac on your network.” “Keyboard and mouse: allow Encore in Accessibility on your Mac.” “Not confirmed yet”

Encore on the Mac and Encore Receiver on the iMac each have their own setting.

1. On the Mac: Settings → Start Encore at login.
2. On the iMac: Open at login in the Encore Receiver menu. For automatic login after a restart see after a restart.

Disconnect on your Mac, or switch the iMac to StandBy.

1. Click Disconnect on the iMac's card. It stays off until you connect it again.
2. To stop automatic connecting, set Connect automatically to Off in Settings.
3. To quit on the Mac: Quit Encore at the bottom of Settings, or ⌘Q.
4. To quit on the iMac: press Esc or ⌘Q (only ⌘Q while the iMac is used only as a screen).

On screen: “Press Esc or ⌘Q to quit.” “Press ⌘Q to quit.”

Remove both apps. The iMac first gets its settings back.

1. On the iMac, turn off Use This iMac Only as a Screen and Open at login in the Encore Receiver menu. That gives your screen saver settings back and removes the login item.
2. Quit Encore Receiver and drag it to the Trash.
3. On your Mac, turn off Start Encore at login in Settings, quit Encore and drag it from Applications to the Trash.
4. To remove the rest: delete the folder ~/Library/Application Support/Encore/ and the logs in ~/Library/Logs/Encore/ and ~/Library/Logs/Encore Receiver/. If you set up the microphone, the driver is /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL/EncoreMicrophone.driver; removing it needs an administrator password.

The iMac can show your notes and next slide while Keynote plays, or a teleprompter for calls.

1. In Encore's Settings, under Presenting, turn on Presenter view on the iMac while Keynote plays. The first time, macOS asks whether Encore may read Keynote.
2. Teleprompter… opens a small window to start and stop it. It also sits in the Encore icon's menu as Presenter and Teleprompter….

Please tell us, so we can fix it.

1. Use Report a Problem… in the app, or the report form.
2. Add a log if you can: see where the logs are.