How to Mirror an Android Phone or Tablet to a Windows PC (Miracast)
Read this article to how to cast a phone screen to a computer monitor using integrated Windows features, and how to do it from another PC running Windows 10.
Wi-Fi limitations (Miracast)
Android received Miracast support as of version 4.2, on October 29, 2012. The first consumer devices certified to support Miracast were such smartphones as LG Optimus G, Pantech Vega iRon, Samsung Galaxy S III, Google Nexus 5. Therefore, this is not a function that is supported essentially by any Android device.
In Windows 10, this feature has been introduced with the Anniversary update, and any OS versions before that don’t support this function either.
Talking of Wi-Fi adapters, for Miracast you need a device supporting the standard 802.11n. Any devices that didn’t support this technology before can be compliant now as long as they have received corresponding firmware updates.
How to cast a phone screen to a PC
To have a phone screen displayed on a PC you should have both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Make sure that the devices are connected to such network, then click on the notifications icon and choose Connect in the new window that opens.
If you don’t see the icon Connect, most likely your computer lacks the Anniversary update. After you click on that icon, one more window opens, where you should click on Projecting to this PC.
Now change the corresponding settings to Available everywhere and Every time a connection is requested; if you want, you can also enable PIN request for additional protection.
Now take your phone: open Settings / Networks & connections and tap on More / Wireless display.
Turn it on. You will see the list of available devices where the phone screen can be displayed. Select a device and get connected.
Your monitor will show a pop-up window asking for permission to connect a new device – click Yes.
The projecting preparation window should appear.
Soon it will change to display the screen of your phone. However, protected contents won’t be available for viewing, and you can’t use the mouse to control the screen images.
You can see more by watching a video on our YouTube channel, Hetman Software.
What are some alternative methods to broadcast a smartphone screen on a PC?
Is there a limit to the distance between the smartphone and the PC for the broadcasting to work?
Yes, there is a limit to the distance between the smartphone and the PC for the broadcasting to work. The maximum distance will depend on the type of connection being used (e.g. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.). Generally speaking, the maximum distance is typically around 30 feet (10 meters).
What are some potential issues that may arise when broadcasting a smartphone screen on a PC with Windows 10?
How do you start broadcasting a smartphone screen on a PC with Windows 10?
To start broadcasting a smartphone screen on a PC with Windows 10, you will need to install the Microsoft Your Phone app from the Microsoft Store. Once installed, open the app and follow the instructions to connect your phone to your PC. Once connected, you can start broadcasting your phone's screen on your PC by clicking the “Project” button in the Your Phone app.
Is it possible to control the smartphone from the PC while broadcasting the screen?
Yes, it is possible to control a smartphone from a PC while broadcasting the screen. There are a variety of apps and software available that allow you to do this, such as TeamViewer, AirDroid, and Vysor.
If you still have questions about projecting a smartphone screen to a Windows 10 computer, post a comment to ask.