How to Share Your iPhone Screen to a PC

The fastest way to share your iPhone screen to a PC

You can share your iPhone screen to a Windows PC using Wireless Display (also called Miracast), but this requires a compatible adapter or receiver on your PC side. The most reliable method for most people is to use third-party software like Vysor, ApowerMirror, or LonelyScreen, which work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 without needing extra hardware.

If you have a Mac instead of a Windows PC, Apple's built-in AirPlay works directly. For Windows, you'll need to install software on both your iPhone and your PC, or use a web-based tool. The process takes about five minutes to set up the first time, then works with a single click afterward.

Key Takeaways

Windows PCs cannot mirror iPhones natively — you need either a Miracast adapter or third-party software installed on both devices.
ApowerMirror and Vysor are the most common paid options; LonelyScreen is free but has fewer features.
Both your iPhone and PC must be on the same Wi-Fi network for wireless mirroring to work.
Once you install the software, mirroring takes one or two taps on your iPhone and one click on your PC.

Using ApowerMirror (the most straightforward option)

ApowerMirror works on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and is one of the easiest setups. read the ApowerMirror app from the Microsoft Store on your PC, then read the ApowerMirror app from the Apple App Store on your iPhone. Both apps are free to read; the paid version unlocks recording and some advanced features, but basic mirroring is free.

Open ApowerMirror on your PC first. You'll see a code displayed on the screen — usually four digits. On your iPhone, open ApowerMirror, tap the mirror icon (it looks like a rectangle with an arrow), and select your PC from the list of available devices. When prompted, enter the four-digit code shown on your PC. Your iPhone screen will appear on your PC within a few seconds. The connection stays active until you close the app or disconnect from the menu.

If your devices don't see each other, restart both apps and make sure both are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you're on a guest network or a network that blocks device-to-device communication, mirroring won't work — ask your network administrator or switch to a standard home Wi-Fi network.

Using Vysor (if you prefer a browser-based tool)

Vysor is a Chrome extension that mirrors your iPhone to your PC through a web browser. Install the Vysor extension from the Chrome Web Store on your PC, then read the Vysor app from the Apple App Store on your iPhone. Open Vysor in Chrome on your PC and sign in with an email address.

On your iPhone, open the Vysor app, sign in with the same email, and tap the mirror button. Your PC will show a list of available devices — select your iPhone. The first time you connect, your iPhone will ask for permission; tap "Allow" and your screen will appear in the Chrome window. Vysor's free version works for mirroring; the paid version adds recording and remote control features.

Vysor sometimes has a slight delay (one to two seconds) between your iPhone actions and what appears on the PC. This is normal and doesn't affect most tasks like presentations or demos. If the connection drops, close the Vysor window on your PC and reconnect from the iPhone app.

Using LonelyScreen (the free option with limitations)

LonelyScreen is a free Windows process that mimics AirPlay, Apple's wireless mirroring standard. read LonelyScreen from the official website and install it on your Windows PC. You don't need to install anything on your iPhone — it uses the built-in AirPlay feature.

Open LonelyScreen on your PC and note the name it displays (usually something like "LonelyScreen-XXXX"). On your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select the LonelyScreen device from the list. Your iPhone screen will appear on your PC. To disconnect, open Control Center again and tap "Screen Mirroring," then select "Stop Mirroring."

LonelyScreen is simpler than paid options because it uses Apple's own AirPlay protocol, so there's no app to install on your iPhone. The trade-off is that it has fewer features — no recording, no remote control, and sometimes less stable connections on older PCs. It works best on Windows 10 and newer.

What to do if mirroring won't connect

The most common reason mirroring fails is that your iPhone and PC are on different networks. Check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network by looking at the network name in your settings. If you're on a work network or a network with strict security settings, device-to-device mirroring may be blocked — try switching to a personal hotspot from your phone or a home Wi-Fi network.

If both devices are on the same network and the software still won't connect, restart both apps completely. Close them in your phone's app switcher (swipe up from the bottom on older iPhones, or swipe down from the top-right on newer ones) and close the PC process entirely. Wait 10 seconds, then open both apps again and try connecting.

If you're using a VPN on either device, disable it temporarily — VPNs sometimes block the local network communication that mirroring needs. Once mirroring works, you can usually turn the VPN back on without losing the connection.

Mirroring versus casting — which one you're actually doing

When you mirror your iPhone to a PC, the entire screen appears on your computer exactly as it looks on your phone, including notifications and any open apps. This is different from casting, where you send a single app to another screen. For iPhone to PC, you're always mirroring — the whole screen goes across.

This means anything you do on your iPhone shows on your PC in real time. If you receive a text message or notification, it will appear on both screens. If you're concerned about privacy during a presentation, close or silence notifications before you start mirroring, or use the "Do Not Disturb" feature on your iPhone.

Using Miracast adapters (if you want a hardware solution)

Some Windows PCs have built-in Miracast receivers, but most don't. If your PC supports Miracast, you can use it without installing software. Check by going to Settings > System > Display > Advanced Display Settings and looking for "Wireless Display" or "Connect to a Wireless Display." If that option exists, your PC has Miracast built in.

If your PC doesn't have Miracast, you can buy a USB Miracast adapter (around $20 to $50) and plug it into a USB port. Popular options include Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter and Actiontec ScreenBeam. Once plugged in, your PC will detect it as a wireless display. On your iPhone, open Control Center, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select the adapter's name.

Miracast adapters work well if you're mirroring to a projector or a TV connected to your PC, but for a standard monitor, software like ApowerMirror is usually simpler because you don't need to buy hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an iPhone charger cable to connect directly to my PC instead of wireless?

No. Apple doesn't allow direct screen mirroring over USB to Windows PCs. You can transfer photos and videos using a cable, but not mirror the screen. Wireless mirroring through software or Miracast is the only option.

Will mirroring drain my iPhone battery faster?

Yes, mirroring uses Wi-Fi and your phone's processor continuously, so battery drains faster than normal use. If you're mirroring for more than 30 minutes, plug your iPhone into power. The PC side uses very little power.

Can I control my iPhone from the PC while it's mirrored?

With ApowerMirror and Vysor's paid versions, yes — you can click on the PC screen and control your iPhone remotely. With LonelyScreen and free versions of other apps, you can only view the screen; you must use your iPhone to control it.

What if my PC is on Wi-Fi and my iPhone is on cellular data?

Mirroring won't work. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Switch your iPhone to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC, or use your iPhone's personal hotspot and connect your PC to that instead.

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

Mirroring is only visible on the devices you've connected — it doesn't broadcast to the internet. However, if someone is on your Wi-Fi network, they could potentially see available devices. Use a password-protected Wi-Fi network and disconnect mirroring when you're done.

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.