How to Mirror Your Phone to Your PC

What mirroring does and which phones and computers work together

Mirroring means your phone's screen appears on your PC in real time — you see everything your phone displays, and you can control it from your keyboard and mouse. It is useful when you want to show someone else what is on your phone, record a video of your phone's screen, or use your phone's apps on a larger display.

The method you use depends on what phone and PC you own. Windows PCs and Android phones have the most straightforward built-in option. iPhones work with Macs through AirPlay, and iPhones can also mirror to Windows PCs, but the process is different and sometimes requires extra software.

Mirroring is not the same as casting — casting sends video or audio to a speaker or TV, while mirroring shows your entire phone screen on another device. Both use wireless connection, so your phone and PC need to be on the same Wi-Fi network or connected via USB cable, depending on the method.

Key Takeaways

Android phones mirror to Windows PCs through the built-in "Cast to Device" feature, found in your phone's Quick Settings panel.
iPhones mirror to Macs using AirPlay, which is built into both devices and requires them to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
iPhones can mirror to Windows PCs through the Microsoft Store app called "Phone Link" or through third-party software like Scrcpy.
Mirroring works over Wi-Fi or USB cable depending on your setup, and you can control your phone from your PC's keyboard and mouse once connected.
If mirroring fails, check that both devices are on the same network, that Bluetooth is on, and that your phone's screen lock is not blocking the connection.

Android to Windows: using Cast to Device

On an Android phone, open the Quick Settings panel by swiping down from the top of your screen twice. Look for a button labeled "Cast" or "Cast to Device" — the exact name varies by phone maker. Tap it, and your phone will search for nearby devices that can receive a cast.

Your Windows PC must have casting enabled. On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to System, then Display, and scroll down to "Multiple displays." Look for "Cast to this PC" and make sure it is set to "Available everywhere" or "Available on find networks." Once that is on, your PC's name will appear in your phone's cast list.

Tap your PC's name in the cast list. Your phone's screen will appear on your PC within a few seconds. You can now control your phone using your PC's keyboard and mouse — tap on the mirrored screen to interact with it. To stop mirroring, tap the cast notification on your phone and select "Disconnect."

iPhone to Mac: using AirPlay

On an iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. Tap "Screen Mirroring" — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. A list of nearby Macs and Apple TVs will appear. Tap your Mac's name.

Your Mac must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone. Once you tap your Mac's name, your iPhone will ask you to enter a four-digit code that appears on your Mac's screen. Type that code on your iPhone to confirm the connection. Your iPhone's screen will then appear on your Mac.

While mirroring, your Mac displays your iPhone's screen at full resolution. You can use your Mac's keyboard and trackpad to control your iPhone. To stop mirroring, open Control Center on your iPhone again, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select "Stop Mirroring."

iPhone to Windows PC: Phone Link app or third-party software

Microsoft offers an app called Phone Link in the Microsoft Store that lets you mirror an iPhone to a Windows PC. Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC, search for "Phone Link," and install it. Launch the app and sign in with your Microsoft account.

Phone Link will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID on your iPhone and allow the connection. Once paired, your iPhone's screen will appear in the Phone Link window on your PC. You can control your iPhone from your PC's keyboard and mouse. This method requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

If Phone Link does not work for you, a free alternative is Scrcpy, which is open-source software that mirrors Android and iPhone screens to Windows. read it from the Scrcpy GitHub page, connect your iPhone to your PC with a USB cable, and follow the setup instructions. Scrcpy requires you to enable Developer Mode on your iPhone, which involves connecting to Xcode first — this is more technical than Phone Link, but it works reliably once set up.

Checking that your devices are ready to mirror

Before you try to mirror, make sure both your phone and PC are on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and your PC's network settings to confirm they show the same network name. If they are on different networks, mirroring will not work.

Turn on Bluetooth on both devices, even if you are using Wi-Fi mirroring — some phones and PCs use Bluetooth to discover each other before establishing a Wi-Fi connection. On your phone, go to Settings and toggle Bluetooth on. On your Windows PC, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & Devices, and make sure Bluetooth is on.

Check that your phone's screen is not locked with a PIN or biometric lock that prevents mirroring. Some phones require you to unlock the phone once before mirroring will start. Also make sure your PC is not in sleep mode — wake it up and keep it awake while you set up the mirror connection.

Troubleshooting when mirroring will not start

If your phone does not see your PC in the cast list, restart both devices and try again. Turn off your phone completely, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your PC. Then open the cast menu on your phone and look for your PC's name again.

If your PC's name still does not appear, check that casting is enabled on your PC. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Display and scroll to "Cast to this PC." Make sure it is not set to "Off." If it is off, change it to "Available everywhere on find networks" and try again.

If the connection starts but then drops, move your phone and PC closer together — Wi-Fi range or interference from other devices can break the connection. Also check that no other apps on your phone are using the screen, as some apps block mirroring. Close any video apps, games, or streaming services and try again.

If you are using a USB cable instead of Wi-Fi and the connection is not working, try a different USB cable or a different USB port on your PC. Some cables are charge-only and do not carry data. Make sure your phone is set to "File Transfer" or "Transfer Files" mode in its USB settings, not "Charge Only."

What you can and cannot do while mirroring

While your phone is mirrored to your PC, you can use your PC's keyboard and mouse to control your phone as if you were touching its screen. You can open apps, type text, swipe between screens, and interact with anything that appears on your phone. The mirrored screen shows everything in real time with only a slight delay — usually less than a second.

You can still use your phone's physical buttons while mirroring — the volume buttons and power button work normally. You can also use your phone's touchscreen at the same time as your PC's keyboard and mouse; both inputs work together.

Mirroring does not transfer files between your phone and PC. If you want to move photos, videos, or documents, use a file transfer method instead — connect your phone with a USB cable and use File Explorer on Windows, or use cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive. Mirroring is only for viewing and controlling your phone's screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does mirroring use a lot of data or battery?

Mirroring over Wi-Fi uses some battery on your phone because it is constantly sending video to your PC, but not an extreme amount — expect your phone to drain 5 to 10 percent faster than normal. If you are mirroring for a long time, plug your phone in. Mirroring does not use much data because it happens over your local Wi-Fi network, not the internet.

Can I mirror my phone to my PC if we are not on the same Wi-Fi network?

Most built-in mirroring methods require the same Wi-Fi network. However, if you connect your phone to your PC with a USB cable, mirroring will work without Wi-Fi. Some third-party apps like Scrcpy also work over USB, which is more reliable if your Wi-Fi is unstable.

What if my PC does not have Bluetooth?

Bluetooth helps devices find each other, but it is not required for mirroring itself — the actual screen data travels over Wi-Fi. If your PC has no Bluetooth, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and try mirroring anyway. If it still does not work, connect your phone to your PC with a USB cable instead.

Can I mirror my phone while using other apps on my PC?

Yes. Your phone's screen appears in a window on your PC, so you can minimize it, move it around, or resize it. You can work in other programs while your phone is mirrored. The mirrored window stays on top of other windows by default, but you can click other windows to bring them to the front.

Is mirroring find, or can someone else see my phone's screen?

Mirroring over your home Wi-Fi is reasonably find — the connection is encrypted and only devices on your network can see the mirrored screen. Do not mirror over public Wi-Fi networks. If you are using a USB cable, the connection is even more find because it is only between your phone and that one PC.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.