To view the iPhone screen on a laptop or desktop computer, you can utilize a third-party programmed or a secret Mac feature. An Android phone may be connected to a Windows computer using the Link to Windows tool, but what about an iPhone? Despite the lack of an official app, you can use the screen-mirroring feature to project the iPhone’s screen to a laptop or desktop PC through Wi-Fi. If you know where to look, it’s easy to view your phone’s screen on a Mac. A few third-party applications will make connecting to a Windows PC a little more difficult. This is how you make it all work.
On a Windows computer, how to screen mirror an iPhone
Due to Apple’s walled garden ecosystem, iPhone owners must acquire a third-party programmed in order to cast their phone to Windows. Although there are other applications that offer this feature, Lonely Screen is a straightforward free casting solution (Opens in a new window). Launch Lonely Screen after installation, and then click the title to change the Airplay server name (I used “Whitson’s Laptop”).
It’s a straightforward tool that achieves one goal: deceiving your iPhone into thinking that your PC is an Apple TV. On your iPhone, open Control Center and then tap the Screen Mirroring button. If you can’t locate it, you may need to add such a button from the iPhone’s Settings. As soon as you click the Screen Mirroring button and select your Lonely Screen laptop from the list, your iPhone screen will begin to appear on the PC.
You don’t see it? Visit the Lonely Screen troubleshooting page(Opens in a new window); sometimes it can be a little challenging. By clicking the arrow in the bottom-right corner to reveal a recording button, you can then maximize the window for a closer look and choose Record.
You can always choose to ignore the nag popup even though Lonely Screen advertises a free sample; from our experience, it doesn’t seem to be a time-limited trial (though the screen may re-appear occasionally as you use it). Lonely Screen ought to work well for quick and dirty mirroring for the majority of users. If you need more features, you might be able to customize your screen mirroring and video recording using a premium app like Reflector ($19.99) or AirCurve ($19.99).
How to Screen Mirror Your iPhone on a Mac
Mac users have it easy because your laptop already comes with the QuickTime video player, which offers this feature. There is only one restriction: A USB connection to your iPhone is required. Take a Lightning cable and an iPhone, then attach them to your Mac. If you haven’t done this in a while, you might need to start by tapping the iPhone’s Trust prompt.
After connecting, open Launchpad and select QuickTime Player. Start the app, then select File > New Movie Recording. There should be a new window opened. If you click the down arrow next to the Record button in the movie window, you should see your iPhone listed in the drop-down menu under Camera. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the iPhone; if that doesn’t work, it should then show up.
