Wondering how can you display your phone screen on your computer/laptop with USB? You’ll find out the answers in this article. AirDroid Cast supports 3 connection methods that allow you to mirror mobile phone screens to a computer: Wireless, AirPlay and USB.
Q: Why do you need to display the phone screen on the computer or laptop?
You might occasionally want to display the screen of your phone on your PC or laptop. There are numerous reasons for doing so. Perhaps you want to share images on a large screen without uploading them.
Or maybe you need to give a quick presentation while a projector is connected to your PC. For instance, maybe you're an app developer and you want to inspect the progress of your code without having to reach for your phone all the time.
In this article you'll find out how to view phone screen on PC via USB by using AirDroid Cast and other tools.
Can I View My Phone Screen on a PC via USB without an App?
No, it is impossible to view your phone screen on a PC via USB without an app, because most smartphones do not have built-in support for screen mirroring over USB, which means you need an app to facilitate the process.
Therefore, using an app like AirDroid Cast is a safe and reliable way to view your phone screen on a PC via USB. It is designed to provide a secure and seamless way to mirror your screen, making it easy to control your device from your computer.
Part 2. How to View Android Screen on PC via USB?
This is where the AirDroid Cast Screen Mirroring App comes into play. All you need is a USB cable, an Android device, and a computer. You can display phone screen on PC utilizing a high quality connection that is both stable and keeps on running even through network instabilities.
Not only that, but AirDroid Cast also facilitates cross-platform casting, enabling seamless mirroring of an Android phone's screen onto a Mac.
Furthermore, you can effortlessly control your Android device from your computer, thanks to AirDroid Cast's comprehensive keyboard and mouse control. Hence, if you're pondering over the possibility of viewing your phone's messages directly on your PC, This app makes it an effortless task.
Method 1. Mirror Android Screen on PC via USB - AirDroid Cast
Step 1.Download AirDroid Cast onto your Android phone for free
As for the casting device (Android), you can use the official AirDroid Cast website or Google Play. To use the app on your computer, simply download AirDroid Cast by clicking the download button below.
To view the phone screen on a PC, as mentioned above, you’ll need a USB cable, an Android device, and a computer or laptop. Moreover, you need to ensure that your Android phone has enabled USB debugging. Then connect the USB cable to your Android device and computer. On the list of available devices, click on your Android device.
Step 3.Start Mirroring
Upon successful connection, the screen of your Android device will be displayed on the computer. You can also control your Android phone screen on your PC by using this tool.
Apart from these, AirDroid Cast comes with the following advanced features:
Secure connection
It has encrypted connections which ensure security when screen mirroring.
Multiple screens on a computer
To boost productivity, you can cast up to 5 screens on a single computer.
Screen off sharing
This will help you save the battery life of your phone. Likewise, you can choose to also lock and hide away your phone when mirroring your screen to protect sensitive information on your phone.
Method 2. View Android Screen on PC via USB - Scrcpy
Scrcpy is another incredible software that lets you view your Android screen on your PC via USB. It's a powerful tool that can be used by developers, gamers, and Android enthusiasts alike. It's an excellent way to showcase your app or game on a larger screen or to access your Android device's content with ease.
Steps to mirror Android to PC with Scrcpy
On this page, scroll down to the description of the software. In the "Get the App" section, look for the description for Windows and download the appropriate file for your system (32- or 64-bit) there.
Scrcpy is free software that allows you to mirror the screen of a cell phone with Android 5.0 or higher to a PC monitor via USB cable or WLAN. In this way, the phone can also be operated with any existing input devices for the PC/laptop.
The phone can then be used at any time; calls can be made and received. All other functions or apps are also available.
To establish a connection, you still have to activate debugging on your Android.
Go to Settings > System > Developer options > Enable USB debugging.
Now connect the phone to the PC using a USB cable.
Open the folder you created earlier and start Scrcpy by double-clicking SCRCPY.EXE.
Part 3. How to View iPhone Screen on PC via USB?
AirDroid Cast is not just limited to Android devices, as it also provides an easy way to view your iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod) screen on your PC via USB. Here's how to do it:
Step 1.Install AirDroid Cast onto both your devices
Intall AirDroid Cast onto your iOS device and PC. After installation, to connect your iOS device to your computer or laptop, you will need a USB cable.
Connect your iOS device and PC/Mac with a USB cable. On the AirDroid Cast list of available devices on the PC side, you will need to select your iOS device. You will see a pop-up window appear on your iOS device. Simply tap the “Trust“ option.
Step 3.Start mirroring
Upon successful connection, the screen of your iOS device will be displayed on the computer. Network instabilities will not affect the screen quality. The output resolution is high-definition and no delays occur during the screen sharing as excellent connection stability is assured.
You can do a lot more on a bigger screen than just view your phone's screen after screen mirroring:
Record your iPhone screen
It enables you to record your iPhone screen directly from your PC, which is useful if you need to create a tutorial or demonstrate a process to someone.
Control your iPhone from your PC
Like with Android devices, AirDroid Cast lets you remotely control your iPhone from your PC albeit in different locations. You’ll be able to use your computer's keyboard and mouse to navigate your iPhone's interface remotely.
Share device audio
It allows you to share your iPhone’s audio with your PC and listen to it from the PC’s speakers. If the PC is connected to an external sound system, you’ll be able to have a better listening experience.
If you want to go through the setup process visually, here’s a video illustration of how to view an iPhone/Android Screen on a PC.
Part 4. How to View Phone Screen on PC Wirelessly?
Screen mirroring from Android devices with its built-in feature
Screen mirroring has a wide variety of uses today, and for this reason, more Android devices come with screen mirroring technology built-in. In Android phones, it is usually under the name Miracasting but this varies from one brand to another.
While different Android devices may use different terms to refer to Miracast technology, (or simply screen mirroring), the process is generally the same across these devices.
To use the default screen mirroring feature on your Android device, just follow these general steps:
Connect your Android device and PC to the same Wi-Fi network.
Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Look for a "Screen sharing" or "Smart View"(for Samsung phones) option from the display menu. The name may vary depending on the Android device you use. Other common terms include Screen casting, Cast, Smart View, SmartShare, AllShare, Cast, HTC Connect, Quick Connect, Wireless display, Mirror Share, and many more.
Tap on the “Screen mirroring” option and select your PC from the list of available devices.
Your Android device's screen should now be mirrored on your PC.
Screen mirroring from iPhone to PC with AirDroid Cast
We’ve looked at how AirDroid Cast allows you to display your Android phone/iPhone on a PC using a USB cable. Apart from wired connections, AirDroid Cast also provides wireless connection options via LAN and remote networks and the AirPlay service.
WLAN (local network/remote network):
Open AirDroid Cast on both your devices. Scan the QR code or enter the cast code that is displayed on your computer.
Accept cast request on PC.
Give permission to cast screen on iOS device.
Upon connection: your iOS device's screen will be displayed on your computer.
AirPlay:
Open AirDroid Cast, and make sure the AirPlay Server is available.
Connect PC and iOS devices with a common Wi-Fi network.
On iOS: Control Center > Screen Mirroring > Select the device with the AirDroid Cast – "xxx" tag.
Upon connection: your iOS device's screen will be displayed on your computer.
Part 5. Why Phone Screen Mirroring to a PC via USB is Better Than Wireless?
While both USB and wireless screen mirroring offer convenience, they differ in terms of speed, reliability, and quality. Here are some reasons why USB screen mirroring might be a better option than wireless:
Aspect
Screen Mirroring via USB
Wireless Screen Mirroring
⚡Speed
Fast and perfect for tasks that require quick response times
Slower compared to USB.
✅Reliability
More reliable
Less reliable
🖥Quality of screen video
Supports higher quality and resolutions
Depends on the strength of your Wi-Fi connection
🔐Security in connecting
More secure
Less secure
Convenience
Less convenient - as you can’t mirror from longer distances
Mirroring from a distance or without cables more convenient
From this analysis, we can conclude that screen mirroring using a USB cable is much better than wireless screen mirroring because it offers a more stable and secure connection, supports higher-quality video, and is faster.
Suppose your phone’s screen is broken or you have dead pixels on it, you can use screen mirroring to operate it directly from your PC. If you want a detailed walkthrough on how to view your broken phone screen on a PC, you can go through this guide.
Part 6. Tips on How to Improve the Quality of the Phone Screen Image on a PC
One of AirDroid Cast’s features is that it gives you control over your viewing experience. From its settings page, you can modify the quality of the video and have it display at 480p, 720p, or 1080p resolution.
For gaming, AirDroid Cast allows you to choose the framerate between 20 and 120Hz on which your games will play. These settings help to improve the quality of the phone screen image on your PC.
How to improve image quality and frame rate with AirDroid Cast?
Firstly, click on the Cable tab. Here, you’ll see settings on image quality and frame rate for Android and iOS.
Then, choose your preferred quality and frame rate and AirDroid Cast will automatically apply it to your current video. You can set the highest values (1080p & 120Hz) and this can help you get a clearer and more detailed image on your PC screen.
Here also are some other tips you can apply for better image quality include the following:
Using a high-speed USB cable :
If you're connecting between PC and phone using via USB, make sure that you use a high-speed USB cable to ensure a faster and more reliable data transfer between your phone and PC.
Poor quality or damaged USB cables can lead to slow data transfer speeds, which can affect the image quality and cause lag or delay.
Closing unnecessary apps or windows on your phone and PC :
This will help improve the performance of your screen mirroring app and enhance the image quality. Running too many apps or windows can slow down your device and cause lags or delays.
Adjusting the lighting conditions in your room :
Make sure that your phone's screen is well-lit and free from glare or reflections. You can also adjust the brightness and contrast settings on your phone to get a clearer and more vibrant image.
Reducing network traffic :
If you're casting your phone wirelessly, always make sure that there are few or no other devices connected to the same network. Doing this will improve your network's speed and performance. You can also try to reduce network traffic by disabling automatic app updates or downloads, and by closing unnecessary browser tabs or apps.
With these settings, you’ll be able to enrich your screen mirroring experience tenfold.
Part 7. Screen Mirroring: How to Make Use of It Daily
As we’ve already seen, screen mirroring lets you display smaller screen sizes on larger ones. There are many different ways you can make use of this to enhance your productivity and entertainment. Here’s a list of some alternative uses of screen mirroring:
Showcase Presentations or Tutorials
Screen mirroring can be useful for teaching or training purposes, where you can use your phone to demonstrate certain techniques or concepts.
You can showcase presentations or tutorials to larger audiences from your phone screen when you mirror them onto larger screens, such as TVs or projectors.
Stream Games
For instance, a mobile gamer can play games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Warzone Mobile on a larger screen for better controls, views, and a more immersive experience.
Remote Control
With AirDroid Cast, you can interact with your device from another location, such as a computer or another mobile device, without physically touching them.
Simply put, where a user is unable to physically access their device, they can still control various actions on their devices from a remote location. For example, they can still launch and close apps, navigate through menus, and perform other actions within their devices albeit in a different location.
Text Messaging
Since mirroring lets you control what happens on your device, it means you’re also able to send and receive text messages from your computer.
You can type and respond to messages quickly because you have full keyboard and mouse support from your PC.
Test Applications
App developers, for example, can monitor their coding process, and easily identify and fix bugs when they test their apps on different devices and screen sizes.
Having said all this, screen mirroring is useful for any use case that requires transferring a mobile experience to a desktop or TV.
Part 8. Bonus: How to View Your Phone’s Screen on Smart TVs, Also
Mirror Phone Screen to TV (Android & iOS Support)
AirDroid Cast Web is a browser-based application that extends AirDroid Cast’s features and functions to Smart TVs. Since it only requires a browser and an internet connection you work, it is compatible with all web-enabled Smart TVs.
You’ll be able to connect to it wirelessly which doesn’t limit your connection range, unlike USB. And you can do this by scanning a QR code or entering the cast code.
This is simply a short summary on AirDroid Cast Web, if you want to dive deeper into the workings of this service, you can look at our post on How to Connect a Phone to a TV wirelessly.
Part 9. Conclusion & Additional FAQs
In conclusion, screen mirroring is a great feature that allows you to display your phone's screen on a larger screen like a PC or TV. With AirDroid Cast, you can easily connect your phone to your PC via USB or wirelessly and start viewing your phone screen on your PC. This makes it easier to manage your phone's content, including photos, videos, and messages, and also to use your phone's apps on a larger screen.
You can download AirDroid Cast on your mobile phone, open a browser and go to webcast.airdroid.com on your Chromebook. Then you can mirror your phone to Chromebook easily by tapping QR code or cast code on your phone.
Can I mirror my entire screen to PC, or can just part of my screen be mirrored?
Elsa
You can share your smartphones‘ entire screen with your PC.
Can I View Phone Screen on PC via USB without App?
Elsa
No, you can't. Because mobile phone device has no USB mirroring option from phone to PC/Mac.
How do I disconnect my phone from my PC once I'm finished using it?
Elsa
Simply click the STOP button on AirDroid Cast to discontinue the connection. Or, rather, just unplug the USB cable or close the AirDroid Cast app to disconnect.
Are there any security risks I should be aware of when connecting my phone to my PC via USB?
Elsa
Although it is more secure to connect your phone to a PC via a USB, there may be some security risks associated. For example, if you use a corrupt USB cable, you may risk losing some data during the connection or even risk infecting your PC with some malware. Always use a trusted USB connection to avoid (or limit) security risks.
Is there a specific app or software I need to use to view my phone screen on my PC?
Elsa
As long as both your phone and the PC are wireless-casting enabled, you can cast your phone screen onto a PC. Instead, apps like AirDroid Cast help streamline the process by making it easier on the go. All you have to do is scan some QR code or enable USB debugging if not connected to WiFi.
Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.
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