- Screen mirroring apps compared
- Nine screen mirroring apps
- The network rule behind most mirroring failures
- Phone to TV, phone to computer, or computer to TV
- Getting a stable mirroring connection
- When the picture works but the video doesn't
- My plain advice on choosing a screen mirroring app
- Frequently asked questions
The best screen mirroring app depends on what you're sending where: a phone to a TV, a phone to a computer, or a laptop to a projector. Check which devices it supports, how much lag there is and whether the free version adds a watermark. Nine apps follow in no particular order, plus steps to get a stable connection.
Screen mirroring sounds simple until you try it in a meeting room with five minutes to spare. Some TVs speak one language, phones speak another, and computers often need an extra app before they'll show anything. The right app depends on the exact pair of devices in front of you.
The nine apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and most come from small specialist developers. Each description comes from the app's own website or store listing, re-checked today. If you're presenting slides on a big screen, my Google Slides tutorial covers presenter view and recording.
Screen mirroring apps compared
In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own site or store listing describes a free app, free tier or open source version, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated. Free versions sometimes limit session length or add a watermark.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirBeamTV | Mirroring to smart TVs | Mirroring to TVs without extra boxes | Trial only |
| AirDroid Cast | Cross-device mirroring | Casting between phones and PCs | Yes |
| ApowerMirror | Mirroring and control app | Controlling Android from a PC | Yes |
| Google Home | Cast to Chromecast | Casting Android screens to Chromecast | Yes |
| LetsView | Free mirroring app | Classroom and meeting sharing | Yes |
| Mirroring360 | Device-to-computer mirroring | Mixed devices in a classroom | Trial only |
| Phone Link | Phone-to-PC link | Phone apps and messages on a PC | Yes |
| Reflector | Mirroring receiver | Recording mirrored screens | No |
| scrcpy | Open source Android mirroring | Low-latency Android mirroring | Yes |
Nine screen mirroring apps
AirBeamTV
Best for: Owners of Samsung, LG or other smart TVs who want to mirror an iPhone or Mac without buying a streaming stick.
AirDroid Cast
Best for: People who want to cast a phone to a computer or a computer to a TV, including through a web browser.
ApowerMirror
Best for: Gamers and presenters who want to mirror a phone to a PC and control Android apps with mouse and keyboard.
Google Home
Best for: Android users with a Chromecast or Google TV who want to cast their whole screen from the Google Home app.
LetsView
Best for: Teachers and meeting hosts who want to share a phone or laptop screen to a projector computer for free.
Mirroring360
Best for: Schools with a mix of iPads, Chromebooks and laptops that need to mirror any of them to one teacher computer.
Phone Link
Best for: Windows users who want texts, calls, photos and some Android apps from their phone on the PC screen.
Reflector
Best for: Trainers and app demo makers who want to mirror several devices to a computer at once and record them.
scrcpy
Best for: Developers and power users who want low-latency Android mirroring and control from a computer over USB or WiFi.
The network rule behind most mirroring failures
Before blaming an app, check the network. Apple Support says your iPhone or iPad and your AirPlay-enabled device must be on the same Wi-Fi network before you can get automatic and suggested AirPlay connections.
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What that means for you: most mirroring problems are network problems. Put both devices on the same Wi-Fi, avoid guest networks that keep devices apart, and turn off a VPN on the phone while you mirror.
Phone to TV, phone to computer, or computer to TV
Phone-to-TV mirroring works best when the TV or a streaming stick supports the same system as your phone, and an app fills the gap when it doesn't. Phone-to-computer mirroring is useful for demos, recording a tutorial or controlling an Android app with a keyboard. Computer-to-TV or projector mirroring is the meeting-room job, where reliability matters more than features.
Classrooms and training rooms have their own needs: several devices taking turns on one screen, often a mix of tablets, laptops and Chromebooks. There, it's worth choosing one receiver app that accepts every device you've got, so nobody's left waiting while you hunt for an adapter.
Getting a stable mirroring connection
- Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Close apps you don't need, so the phone isn't busy elsewhere.
- Turn on the receiving app or TV input before you start on the phone.
- Pick the device from the list rather than typing a code if you can.
- Use a cable or USB option for gaming or recording, where lag matters.
- Test sound as well as picture before an audience arrives.
When the picture works but the video doesn't
- Streaming apps. Some apps block mirroring for copyright reasons and show a black screen instead.
- Video won't start. My guide to fixing YouTube videos that won't play covers TV and phone fixes.
- No sound. Check the TV or computer is set as the audio output on your phone.
- Sleep settings. Stop the phone locking during a long presentation.
Do you make a screen mirroring app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing a screen mirroring app
Start with what's built in: many TVs, streaming sticks and computers already support mirroring from the phones people use most. Only add an app when the two devices don't speak the same language, and test it at home before you rely on it at work.
For presentations, keep a cable in your bag as a backup. Wireless mirroring is brilliant until the room's Wi-Fi isn't, and a cable doesn't care.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free screen mirroring app?
Several apps here have free versions or are open source. Some free tiers limit session time or add a watermark.
Why won't my phone mirror to my TV?
The most common reason is the network. Apple says devices must be on the same Wi-Fi for automatic AirPlay connections.
Can I mirror an iPhone to a Windows PC?
Yes, with a receiver app on the PC that accepts AirPlay or its own connection.
Can I mirror an Android phone to a computer?
Yes. Some tools mirror and control Android from a computer over USB or Wi-Fi.
Is there lag when mirroring?
There's usually a little. For games or recording, a cable or USB connection keeps lag lower.
Do I need an app to mirror to a smart TV?
Not always. Many TVs and streaming sticks support mirroring directly; an app helps when they don't.
