Sketch Mirror was the original iOS companion app that let designers preview Sketch files on iPhone and iPad. Connect over Wi-Fi, open a Sketch file, and see your artboards on device in real-time. Swipe between pages and artboards, zoom to inspect pixels, and hand your device to clients for in-context review. The legacy app is gone, replaced by Sketch’s new View and Mirror app.
Key Specs
| Price | Free (original and new version) |
| Platform | iOS only; required Sketch on Mac |
| Best for | Previewing Sketch designs on real devices |
| Learning curve | 2 minutes to connect and start previewing |
How Designers Use Sketch Mirror
For Testing Mobile Designs at Actual Size
Desktop mockups don’t show how interfaces feel at device scale. Sketch Mirror let designers see their work at true size with correct pixel density. A button that seemed large enough on a 27-inch monitor might feel cramped on a 4.7-inch iPhone. Preview before handing off to developers.
For Client Reviews on Real Hardware
Share your iPhone with a client during a meeting. Let them swipe through screens, zoom into details, and experience the design in context. More convincing than pointing at a laptop screen. The new Mirror app also supports commenting, so clients can leave feedback directly on device.
For Design QA and Pixel-Perfect Validation
Zoom into individual artboards to inspect alignment, spacing, and font rendering. The new Sketch Mirror uses the same rendering engine as the Mac app, so what you see on device exactly matches what developers will build. Catch inconsistencies before implementation.
Sketch Mirror vs. Modern Alternatives
| Feature | Sketch Mirror (Legacy) | Sketch - View & Mirror | Figma Mirror | Adobe XD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | iOS only | iOS only | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
| Connection | Local Wi-Fi | Cloud (Workspaces) | Cloud | Cloud |
| Rendering | ⚠️ Approximation | ✅ Native engine | ✅ Native | ✅ Native |
| Offline support | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Comments | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Development status | ❌ Discontinued | ✅ Active | ✅ Active | ✅ Active |
Choose Sketch - View and Mirror if: You use Sketch and want the most accurate preview with commenting and collaboration features.
Choose Figma Mirror if: You’ve switched to Figma or need Android device preview alongside iOS.
Choose Adobe XD if: You’re in the Adobe ecosystem and want device preview integrated with Creative Cloud.
Getting Started with Sketch Mirror
These instructions apply to the new “Sketch - View and Mirror” app:
Step 1: Upload to Sketch Workspaces
Open your Sketch file on Mac. Go to File > Share > Upload to Workspace. Choose or create a workspace (Sketch’s cloud storage). The file uploads and becomes accessible from any device signed into your Sketch account.
Step 2: Install Sketch - View and Mirror on iOS
Download “Sketch - View and Mirror” from the App Store (not the old Mirror app). Sign in with your Sketch account. You’ll see all files in your workspaces. Tap a file to open it.
Step 3: Navigate and preview
Swipe between pages and artboards. Pinch to zoom. Tap the comment icon to leave feedback. Changes made on Mac sync to the iOS app automatically if you have live mirroring enabled in Sketch.
Sketch Mirror in Your Design Workflow
Sketch Mirror fits into the review and validation phase, not initial design.
- Before Sketch Mirror: Design screens in Sketch on Mac
- During design: Sketch Mirror for testing on actual devices
- After Sketch Mirror: Iterate based on device feedback, then hand off to developers
Common tool pairings:
- Sketch + Sketch Mirror for end-to-end native Mac to iOS workflow
- Sketch + Zeplin for developer handoff (Mirror for design QA, Zeplin for specs)
- Sketch + Abstract for version control (Mirror for device preview of versioned designs)
Common Problems (and How to Fix Them)
“Can’t find the old Sketch Mirror app”
It’s gone. Apple removed it from the App Store when Sketch released the new “Sketch - View and Mirror” app. Search for “Sketch - View and Mirror” (note the different name) instead. The new app requires Sketch Workspaces.
“New Mirror app won’t connect to my Sketch file”
Make sure you uploaded the file to a Workspace (File > Share > Upload to Workspace in Sketch). The new app doesn’t support local Wi-Fi connections like the old one. Both your Mac and iOS device need internet. Sign in with the same Sketch account on both devices.
“Designs don’t update in real-time”
Check that “Live Mirror” is enabled in Sketch preferences. Go to Preferences > Workspaces and enable live mirroring. This pushes changes to connected devices as you edit. Without it, you need to manually re-upload the file after each change.
“Old Mirror app says connection failed”
You’re probably using a modern Sketch version that doesn’t support the legacy Mirror app. The old app stopped working around 2020-2021. Download the new “Sketch - View and Mirror” app and upload your files to Workspaces.
“Can I use Mirror without Sketch Workspaces?”
No. The new app requires Workspaces (Sketch’s cloud storage). This is a paid feature on most Sketch plans. If you don’t have Workspaces access, you can’t use the new Mirror app. For local preview without cloud, consider alternatives like exporting to PNG and importing into another tool, or using a third-party preview app.