How To Mirror Your Android Screen on Windows 11: A Complete Guide

How to Mirror Your Android Screen on a Windows 11 Computer

Want to show off your Android phone’s screen on your Windows 11 PC? It’s not as tricky as it sounds. Whether it’s for sharing photos, binging videos, or presenting something important, casting your Android screen is pretty handy. Just grab your Android device, connect both to the same Wi-Fi, and you’re on your way to a bigger screen experience.

Let’s Get Those Screens Talking

Here’s a rundown of connecting your Android phone to your Windows 11 PC. It sounds easy, right? Well, it usually is—unless you hit one of those weird hiccups. So just roll with it.

Check if Your Gear Can Cast

First off, make sure your Android phone and your Windows 11 system are both capable of screen sharing. Most newer phones (Android 10 or later) and Windows 11 come with casting features baked in. No one wants to troubleshoot for ages only to find your devices aren’t on the same page.

Same Wi-Fi is a Must

For this to work, both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. It’s kind of crucial because that’s how they communicate. If one goes rogue and switches networks, good luck getting it to pair up again. Pro tip: Make sure both are close enough to the router to avoid dropouts.

Turn on Screen Mirroring on Your Android

Swipe down from the top of your phone screen to pull up the quick settings. Look for something like “Cast”, “Screen Mirroring”, or “Smart View”. Not seeing it? You might have to add it manually from the settings or dive into Settings > Connections > Screen Mirroring / Cast. A little hunt never hurt anyone, right?

Set Up Your Windows 11 for Miracast

Now, let’s make sure Windows is ready to receive:

  • Head to Settings > System > Display.
  • Look for Multiple displays and scroll down to find Connect to a wireless display (you can also hit Win + K to bring it up).

If your PC doesn’t see the option for Miracast—check if it even supports it by running this in PowerShell:

netsh wlan show drivers | findstr /R /C:"Wi-Fi Direct Off"

If “Wireless Display Supported” is Yes, great! If not, might be time to update those drivers or invest in a Miracast dongle.

Select Your PC on Your Phone

Your phone will start searching for compatible devices. When it finds your Windows 11 PC, tap to connect. If it doesn’t show up, it could just be a matter of tuning your Wi-Fi settings or making sure your PC has the Wireless Display feature enabled:

  • Check in Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off. Make sure Wireless Display is checked.

Give the OK on Your PC

When the connection request pops up on your PC, hit accept. If there are firewall issues, look in Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection. Just make sure Wireless Display is allowed there. If all goes well, voilà! Your Android screen should show up on your Windows display. Sweet!

Tips for a Better Mirroring Experience

Want to make the experience even smoother? Check these tips out:

  • Keep both devices close to your router to boost that Wi-Fi signal. If you can, use a 5 GHz band for less interference.
  • Update your Windows graphics drivers and your Android software. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates for Windows and check your phone’s app updates.
  • If audio is essential, consider hooking up external speakers or Bluetooth headphones to your PC.
  • Notice some lag? Try killing those background apps or maybe even switching to a wired connection for better stability.

Common Questions About Casting from Android to Windows 11

Is Wi-Fi really needed for this screen mirroring thing?

You bet! Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi as Miracast uses Wi-Fi Direct to connect, so it’s a deal breaker.

Why can’t I see my Windows PC in the list?

This could be due to your Windows settings. Make sure you enabled the Wireless Display feature. If that’s a no-show, try running this command in PowerShell:

DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:WirelessDisplay /All

Double-check your network settings too. Sometimes that’s all it takes!

Do I need extra apps to cast my Android screen?

Most recent Androids are good to go with built-in casting. But if you want something fancier, apps like LetsView or AirDroid can give you more options.

Can I cast over USB instead?

Yep, sort of! For that wired connection, there’s scrcpy. Run this command in your command prompt:

adb devices

Then just type scrcpy to get your Android displayed on your PC. Perfect for low latency!

Can I control my Android from my PC while casting?

Not with the basic Miracast setup. However, if you need control too, try downloading Vysor or Scrcpy. Don’t forget to enable USB debugging in Settings > Developer options > USB debugging on your Android.

Quick Recap for Easy Mirroring

  1. Ensure both devices can cast.
  2. Connect to the same Wi-Fi.
  3. Turn on mirroring on the phone via quick settings.
  4. Open Windows settings and find wireless display options (Win + K).
  5. Choose your Windows PC to connect.
  6. Accept the connection on your PC to finalize.

This casting trick can be pretty smooth if everything plays nice. Just make sure your devices are updated and configured right. If scrappy doesn’t work, looks for alternatives like scrcpy to get your Android screen up. This should save some time and hassle, which is always a win!

Just a heads-up, these tips have worked for various setups. Hopefully, this saves some headaches for anyone trying to get their Android to show on Windows 11.