How to Easily Cast your Smartphone’s Display to your Windows 10 PC

The Windows 10 Anniversary update came out last summer, which made it significantly easier to cast your smartphone’s display onto your screen. Despite that, many PC users continue to be oblivious.

Today, we’re explaining how to cast your smartphone display onto your PC.

What you Need

Essentially, Windows 10’s system works as a software version of a Miracast adapter. That means any devices using Miracast will work with Windows 10. That means it works with:

Windows 10 Mobile and Windows Phone 8.1 devices

Many Android handsets and tablets

Any device that can cast its display using Miracast

Oddly enough, this feature does not require Wi-Fi. You just need to be in close proximity to your PC. It will also not work with iOS devices like the iPhone or iPad. Some users also report trouble with certain Androids – the Nexus 6P doesn’t appear to work, for example. Other newer Nexus models also appear to have Miracast disabled.

Step by Step Guide

On Android

Step 1) Click the Start button on your Windows 10 PC, then type in Connect, then select the Connect app from the dropdown list. Connect is a built-in app installed with the Anniversary Update that launched in summer 2016.

Step 2) Open your Android smartphone’s notification shade, then swipe down until you see a “Screen casting” option. On Samsung phones, for example, it’s called Smart view. Tap that button to activate screen casting. If you can’t find this setting, go to Settings > Display > Cast / Screen Mirroring.

That’s it! Your smartphone should take a few seconds, and then you should see your Android pop up on your computer display.

On Windows 10 Mobile

If you’re using a Windows 10 Mobile device, go to Settings > Display, then Connect to a wireless display.

Alternatively, you can open the Action Center and select the Connect quick action tile.

Why You Should Do It

Why should you cast your smartphone’s display to your computer? First of all, it’s just kind of cool to see your smartphone displayed on your Windows 10 PC. The stuff you look at on your smartphone appears on your PC.

Once the novelty wears off, there are some practical uses for this technology, including:

View apps that aren’t available on your Windows 10 PC

Display a constant feed of smartphone information on your computer screen, like your WhatsApp messages

Play your music collection

View recent photos or a movie

Ultimately, this feature can turn every PC into a smart TV that duplicates your phone display. So if you don’t have a smart TV, but you have a large monitor, you can still access Smart TV-like functionality by connecting your Android to your Windows 10 PC.

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