Your iPhone has a secret trick—and it’s called screen mirroring.
Maybe you want to watch a TikTok on a bigger screen. Maybe you’re running a meeting and want to show a live app demo. Or maybe your kid drew something on your phone and everyone needs to see it right now. Whatever the reason, screen mirroring your iPhone is a surprisingly handy feature that many people don’t know they already have access to.
Let’s walk through how it works, what you need, and a few pro tips to make the most of it—whether you’re mirroring to a Mac, Apple TV, smart TV, or even a Windows PC.
What Is Screen Mirroring?
Screen mirroring lets you display whatever’s happening on your iPhone screen onto another device—like a TV, computer monitor, or projector—in real time. It’s different from AirPlay, which streams specific content (like a video), because mirroring shows everything you’re doing: apps, swipes, messages, even typos.
So yes, it’s basically turning your iPhone into a live presentation device.
Mirror iPhone to Mac – the Apple Ecosystem Wins Again
If you’re using a Mac running macOS Ventura (or later), and an iPhone running iOS 16 or above, screen mirroring is built in and beautifully seamless thanks to AirPlay and Continuity.
Here’s how to do it:
- Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Enable AirPlay & Continuity on your iPhone: Go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff and make sure it’s turned on.
- Open Control Center on your iPhone. Swipe down from the top-right corner.
- Tap Screen Mirroring. You’ll see your Mac appear on the list.
- Select your Mac. Boom—you’re mirrored.
Use this setup for things like demos, quick presentations, or watching a video together without crowding around a phone.
Mirror iPhone to Apple TV (or AirPlay 2-Compatible Smart TV)
This is one of the smoothest mirroring experiences you’ll find.
Setup:
- Make sure your Apple TV or smart TV supports AirPlay 2.
- Ensure both your iPhone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- On your iPhone, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV or smart TV from the list.
Within seconds, your iPhone’s display shows up on the big screen. Great for sharing vacation photos, FaceTiming grandma on the TV, or projecting slides from your Notes app (yes, people do that).
Mirror iPhone to Windows PC (Yes, You Can)
This takes a little more work—but it’s still very doable.
You’ll need a third-party app to act as the “middleman.” Here are two of the most popular:
1. Reflector
- Install Reflector on your Windows PC.
- Make sure your phone and PC are on the same Wi-Fi.
- Open Reflector, then screen mirror via Control Center on your iPhone.
- Your PC should show up as a device. Tap to connect.
2. LetsView (free + solid)
- Download LetsView on your PC and iPhone.
- Open both apps, connect to the same network, and follow the on-screen instructions to mirror.
These tools are great for presentations, app testing, or recording screen walkthroughs directly on your PC.
Quick Tips for a Smoother Screen Mirroring Experience
- Keep devices close. AirPlay tends to get glitchy with long distances or interference.
- Use landscape mode. It often mirrors better for video or app demos.
- Turn on Do Not Disturb. No one needs your text alerts popping up mid-demo.
- For best results, plug in. Wireless is convenient, but wired mirroring (via QuickTime or apps like ApowerMirror) gives a more stable connection.
Final Thought
Whether you’re giving a pitch, sharing photos with friends, or just tired of squinting at your phone—screen mirroring your iPhone is an easy, underrated feature that unlocks a lot of everyday usefulness.
And once you try it once, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to use it.