Screen mirroring is a handy technology that lets you wirelessly display the screen of your smartphone, tablet or computer on your television. Whether you want to share photos, give a presentation or simply enjoy content on a bigger screen, screen mirroring makes it possible. In this in-depth guide we explain how screen mirroring works and how to set it up on different devices.

What exactly is screen mirroring?

Screen mirroring is a technology that copies exactly what is on your device's screen and shows it in real time on another screen, usually your television. Everything you do on your phone (opening apps, watching videos, playing games, scrolling through photos) is mirrored on the big screen.

This is different from casting, where you send specific content to your TV while your phone is free to do other things. With screen mirroring, your phone is the source and has to stay active.

Different screen mirroring technologies

There are several protocols for screen mirroring, depending on your device and television:

Miracast: A wireless standard supported by most Android phones and Windows computers. Many smart TVs have built-in Miracast support.

AirPlay: Apple's own protocol for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Works with Apple TV and many modern smart TVs that support AirPlay 2.

Chromecast/Google Cast: Google's technology that enables screen mirroring through the Google Home app. Works with Android and has limited support for iOS.

DLNA: An older standard for sharing media, less suitable for true screen mirroring but fine for playing files.

Screen mirroring from Android phones

Method 1: Built-in Cast feature

Most Android phones have a built-in cast feature. Here is how to use it:

  1. Swipe down from the top to open the quick settings
  2. Look for 'Screen Cast', 'Cast', 'Smart View' or 'Wireless projection' (the name varies by brand)
  3. Tap the option and wait until your TV appears
  4. Select your television to start the connection
  5. If prompted, confirm on your TV that you want to allow the connection

Method 2: Using the Google Home app

If the built-in option does not work, you can use the Google Home app:

  1. Download the Google Home app from the Play Store
  2. Open the app and select your Chromecast or smart TV
  3. Tap 'Cast my screen'
  4. Confirm that you want to mirror

Samsung phones (Smart View)

Samsung phones use Smart View for screen mirroring:

  1. Swipe down twice to open the full panel
  2. Tap 'Smart View'
  3. Wait until your TV is found
  4. Select your TV and confirm the connection

Screen mirroring from iPhone and iPad

Apple devices use AirPlay for screen mirroring. See our detailed article about AirPlay for step-by-step instructions. In short:

  1. Make sure your iPhone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network
  2. Open Control Center (swipe down from the top right or up from the bottom)
  3. Tap 'Screen Mirroring'
  4. Select your Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible TV
  5. If needed, enter the code that appears on your TV

Screen mirroring from a Windows laptop

Windows 10/11 to a smart TV

Windows has built-in support for Miracast:

  1. Press the Windows key + K to open the connect window
  2. Your laptop searches for available displays
  3. Select your TV from the list
  4. Choose the projection mode: Duplicate, Extend or Second screen only

Alternatively, you can go to Settings > System > Display > Connect to a wireless display.

Windows to Chromecast

To mirror Windows to a Chromecast:

  1. Open the Google Chrome browser
  2. Click the three dots in the top right
  3. Select 'Cast'
  4. Click 'Sources' and choose 'Cast screen'
  5. Select your Chromecast

Screen mirroring from a Mac

Macs can mirror their screen to Apple TV or AirPlay 2-compatible televisions:

  1. Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar
  2. Click 'Screen Mirroring'
  3. Select your Apple TV or smart TV
  4. Choose between mirroring or using it as a separate display

Getting your TV ready for screen mirroring

Not every television supports screen mirroring out of the box. Here are your options:

Smart TV with built-in support

Many modern smart TVs support Miracast, AirPlay 2 or both. In your TV's settings, check under 'Network' or 'Connections' whether screen mirroring is turned on. Sometimes it is called 'Screen Share', 'Wireless Display' or 'Mirroring'.

External streaming devices

If your TV does not support screen mirroring, you can add this feature with:

  • Chromecast: Supports Android screen mirroring
  • Apple TV: For iPhone, iPad and Mac
  • Fire TV Stick: Supports Miracast for Android and Windows
  • Miracast dongles: An inexpensive solution made specifically for Miracast

Tips for the best screen mirroring experience

Optimize your Wi-Fi connection

Screen mirroring is sensitive to network performance. For the best experience:

  • Use the 5GHz Wi-Fi band if it is available (less interference)
  • Keep your phone and TV as close to the router as possible
  • Avoid a lot of simultaneous network activity (downloads, other streams)
  • Consider a wired connection for your TV or streaming device

Screen rotation and aspect ratio

Your phone's screen is vertical and your TV is horizontal. For the best picture:

  • Turn your phone sideways for videos and games
  • Do not lock screen rotation unless you need to
  • Some apps scale to full screen automatically

Audio sync

With screen mirroring, the sound is also sent to the TV. If there is a delay:

  • Check that your TV does not have an audio processing mode that causes delay
  • Turn on 'Game Mode' on your TV for lower latency
  • Some apps have settings for audio/video synchronization

Troubleshooting common problems

Devices cannot find each other: Check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your router, phone and TV. Check that screen mirroring is turned on on your TV.

The connection keeps dropping: This usually points to Wi-Fi problems. Reduce the distance to the router or switch to the 5GHz band.

The picture stutters or looks pixelated: Your network connection is too slow. Close other devices that use bandwidth or lower the video quality.

No sound: Check that your phone is not on mute. Check your TV's audio settings. Some devices do not send sound along by default.

Black screen or protected content: Some apps block screen mirroring because of copyright (Netflix, Amazon Prime). In that case, use the app directly on your smart TV or streaming device.

When should you use screen mirroring?

Screen mirroring is ideal for:

  • Sharing photos and videos with family
  • Giving presentations from your laptop or phone
  • Showing apps that are not available on your TV
  • Playing mobile games on a big screen
  • Browsing websites on the TV

For watching streaming content, casting or the TV app is usually better because it uses less battery and you can keep using your phone in the meantime.

Conclusion

Screen mirroring is a versatile technology that makes sharing content between devices easy. Whether you use Android, iPhone, Windows or Mac, there is always a way to mirror your screen to the TV. With the right settings and a stable Wi-Fi connection, you get a seamless experience. Try out the different methods and find out which one works best for your devices.

Frequently asked questions

Is screen mirroring the same as casting?

No. With screen mirroring, your entire screen is copied to the TV in real time. With casting, you send specific content (such as a YouTube video) to the TV, after which your phone is free to do other things. Casting is more efficient for streaming, while mirroring is more flexible for showing anything.

Why can't I mirror Netflix to my TV?

Netflix and many other streaming services block screen mirroring because of copy protection (DRM/HDCP). You then see a black screen or an error message. Instead, use the Netflix app on your smart TV, Chromecast or streaming stick.

Do I need internet for screen mirroring?

For Miracast you do not need internet, only Wi-Fi between the devices. For Chromecast and AirPlay, the devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, but the mirroring itself does not require an internet connection. The content you mirror may need internet, though.

Can I mirror my screen to an old TV without smart features?

Yes, by connecting a streaming device such as a Chromecast, Fire TV Stick or Apple TV to the HDMI port of your old TV. These devices add screen mirroring functionality to any TV with an HDMI connection.

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