AirSync use cases

ViewSonic AirSync is a versatile wireless screen sharing solution that offers several Sender applications to target different operating systems and use cases. While it supports both desktop and mobile devices, the workflow and user experience differ between the two platforms.

General computer usage scenarios

Windows Sender & macOS Sender

Both sender versions are applications that require installation on your Windows or macOS computer. They provide the most complete features and the best experience. See the list of features below:

Features

• Full functional support: Provides the most complete set of AirSync features.
• Touchback: This is one of AirSync’s biggest advantages. Users can directly interact with the ViewSonic IFP to remotely control their Windows/macOS computers, which can enhance interactive presentations, collaboration, and teaching.
• Extended Screen: Share your screen as an extended screen to display presentation content on the large IFP display, while viewing notes or performing other operations on your own computer. Due to system permission issues, macOS users must install the "non-App store version" of macOS Sender, as the version of macOS Sender found on the Apple Store does not support the screen extension feature.
• Quick Connection: Auto-detect IFPs on your local network, which eliminates the need to input a Display Code or OTP. 
• Local Area Network (LAN) and Internet (WAN) connections: Supports screen sharing within the same LAN, or over the Internet.
• Screen Annotation Function: Supports real-time annotation on shared content.
• Device-side Remote Control: Share the contents of the large IFP screen to the users’ Windows / macOS computers, as well as control the IFP screens remotely from their own devices.

Web Sender (airsync.net)

Web Sender is a browser-based casting solution that does not require the installation of any software. See the list of features below:

Features

• No need to install any apps: The main advantage is that there is no need to install another application on the sending device. Users just open a supported browser (Chrome or Edge) and visit airsync.net to start sharing.
• Internet connection requirements: Requires an Internet connection to share the screen.
• Applicable scenarios: Suitable for temporary and quick screen sharing needs, especially when it is inconvenient to install software, or the devices are not in the same local area network.

Main differences

The list below highlights differences in how users operate the Windows Sender, macOS Sender and web sender apps:

• System permissions: On macOS, you may need to set up additional system permissions (such as screen recording, microphone, etc.) to work properly. Windows has few permission issues.
  
  
• Installation process:The installation process for both will vary depending on the operating system.
  • Web Sender: visit https://airsync.net
  • Windows Sender: Download the Sender installation file and install manually.
  • macOS Sender (standalone version): Download the macOS Sender installation file from https://airsync.net and install manually.
  • macOS Sender (Apple Store version): Install directly from the Apple Store.
    
    
• Audio Output: macOS Sender users need to install a separate virtual audio output driver to share video and audio at the same time. Windows Sender does not have this requirement and works automatically. To review how each version handles audio sharing, refer to the table below.

• Touchback is not supported: Web Sender cannot use the IFP to control the source computer via gestures and touch.
• Screen annotation is not supported: Web Sender cannot perform real-time annotation at the sending end.
• Receiving IFP screen is not supported: Web Sender cannot share the IFP screen with the device.
  
  
• Screen sharing options: 
  • Web Sender can share the entire screen, application window, or browser tab.
  • Windows and macOS Sender can share the entire screen, specific application windows, or extend the screen.

Summary comparison

Conclusion

If you need the most complete functionality, the highest interactivity (especially touch feedback), and the best performance, and you can install software on your computer, then the Windows Sender or the macOS Sender is your first choice.

If you just need to quickly share screen content temporarily without worrying about the lack of interactive features (such as touch feedback), or you are unable to install software in your environment, then the Web Sender provides a more convenient solution, but be aware of its limitations in functionality.

Mobile device usage scenarios

ViewSonic AirSync's Android Sender and iOS Sender apps are both designed to enable wireless screen sharing between mobile devices and ViewSonic Interactive Flat Panel (IFP) displays. Although they share the same core functionality, they vary in design, operating-system constraints imposed by Android and iOS, Touchback implementation, and screen-sharing methods. 

The following is a comparison of usage differences between the two:

Features

• Dedicated apps: Both require the installation of the ViewSonic AirSync Sender app on their respective mobile devices.
• Quick Connection: Both support quick connection by entering the ID code and one-time password or by scanning the QR Code shown on the large IFP screen.
• Full screen sharing: 
  • Android (before Android 14) and iOS Sender "always share the entire screen" and do not support the option to share specific application windows or extend the screen like Windows/macOS Sender.
  • Android 14 (inclusive) and later versions Allows users to share or record a single application window.
• Local Area Network (LAN) and Internet (WAN) connections: Supports screen sharing within the same LAN or over the Internet.
• Receive IFP screen: Supports sharing the content of ViewSonic IFP screens to mobile devices.
• When receiving the IFP screen, reverse control the IFP screen.

Main operational differences

The following list highlights the differences between how users operate the Android Sender and iOS Sender apps:

1. Touchback
   • Android Sender: Supports touchback. You can directly interact with your Android device through the ViewSonic IFP. The device must be running Android 10 or above.
   • iOS Sender: Does not support touch feedback. This is due to iOS system design limitations; Apple restricts third-party apps from controlling the device. Therefore, touching the ViewSonic IFP screen will not control your iPhone or iPad—you must use the iOS device itself.
     1. Note: The latest version of AirSync supports iPad devices when sharing via AirPlay. In that scenario, you can control the iPad from the IFP via Bluetooth. However, the iOS Sender still does not support touch feedback.
        
        
2. Screen-sharing process
   • Android Sender: After connecting, you’ll typically see a “Start now” prompt (or similar). Tap it to share your entire screen or a single application (Android 14 and above).
   • iOS Sender: After connecting, you must tap “Start Live Broadcast” to begin projection. This is required by iOS security mechanisms.
     
     
3. Share application window / specific content
   • Android Sender: You can share either the entire screen or a specific app (Android 14 and above).
   • iOS Sender: Only the entire screen can be shared. Due to iOS sandboxing, apps cannot capture the content of other apps.
     
     
4. Screen extension
    Mobile devices are unsuitable for dual-screen presentation mode.
   • Android Sender: Screen extension is not supported.
   • iOS Sender: Screen extension is not supported. 
     
     
5. Screen notes
   • Android Sender: Supports screen annotation.
   • iOS Sender: Does not support screen annotation.

Summary comparison table

Conclusion

For directly controlling content on a mobile phone or tablet via the ViewSonic IFP, Android Sender offers a better interactive experience because it supports touch feedback. iOS Sender cannot provide this function due to system limitations, so users must return to their iPhone or iPad for control.

Apart from the difference in touch feedback, both apps are similar in core screen sharing functionality, multi-person collaboration, and connection methods. Choosing between them depends on your mobile device’s operating system and whether you need the touch feedback feature.