How to View Android/iPhone Screen on PC via USB?

Elsa Updated on Mar 7, 2025 Filed to: Screen Mirroring

Have you ever found yourself wanting to display your phone's screen on a larger device? Maybe you want to share photos on a big screen without the hassle of uploading them. Perhaps you need to give a presentation with your phone connected to a projector, or you're an app developer who needs to check code progress without constantly reaching for your device.

These scenarios highlight the convenience of screen mirroring. In this article, we'll explore how to view your phone screen on a PC via USB using AirDroid Cast and other tools.

Part 1. Benefits and Preparation for Using a USB Cable for Screen Mirroring

Using a USB cable to view your phone's screen on a computer has several benefits, such as:

  • Lower Latency:Screen mirroring via USB cable typically results in lower latency and more stable images compared to wireless transmission, as noted by most sources.
  • Higher Image Quality:With fewer bandwidth limitations, a USB connection can deliver smoother screen projection at higher resolutions.
  • Device Charging:One major benefit is that the phone can be charged simultaneously during the mirroring process, making it ideal for extended use or testing situations.
  • Security::Unlike wireless transmission, a USB connection doesn't directly depend on a local area network, allowing for better control over data flow.

If you're using an Android smartphone, you need to enable USB debugging before getting started.Without USB debugging, you can't transmit your Android screen to a PC. Most third-party software for displaying your phone's screen on a PC via USB cable requires USB debugging, which is a necessary feature without rooting your phone.

Here are the detailed steps to enable USB debugging on Android:

Go to Settings > About > Tap the Build Number for 7 times > Tap Developer Options > Turn on USB Debugging.

turn on USB Debugging

Part 2. How to View Phone Screen on PC via USB?

Method 1. Mirror Phone Screen on PC via USB with AirDroid Cast

AirDroid Cast is a powerful and easy-to-use screen mirroring app.All you need is a USB cable, an Android/iPhone device, and a computer. You can display phone screen on PC utilizing a high quality connection that is both stable and keeps on running even through network instabilities.

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Not only that, but AirDroid Cast also facilitates cross-platform casting, enabling seamless mirroring of an Android phone's screen onto a Mac.

Furthermore, you can effortlessly control your Android device from your computer, thanks to AirDroid Cast's comprehensive keyboard and mouse control. Hence, if you're pondering over the possibility of viewing your phone's messages directly on your PC, This app makes it an effortless task.

How to Mirror Android Phone Screen on PC via USB with AirDroid Cast:

Step 1.Download AirDroid Cast onto your Android phone for free
As for the casting device (Android), you can use the official AirDroid Cast website or Google Play. To use the app on your computer, simply download AirDroid Cast by clicking the download button below.
Step 2.Show phone screen on PC
To view the phone screen on a PC, as mentioned above, you’ll need a USB cable, an Android device, and a computer or laptop. Moreover, you need to ensure that your Android phone has enabled USB debugging. Then connect the USB cable to your Android device and computer. On the list of available devices, click on your Android device.

USB in AirDroid Cast

Step 3.Start Mirroring
Upon successful connection, the screen of your Android device will be displayed on the computer. You can also control your Android phone screen on your PC by using this tool.

How to Mirror iPhone Screen on PC via USB with AirDroid Cast:

AirDroid Cast is not just limited to Android devices, as it also provides an easy way to view your iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod) screen on your PC via USB. Here's how to do it:

Step 1.Install AirDroid Cast onto both your devices
Intall AirDroid Cast onto your iOS device and PC. After installation, to connect your iOS device to your computer or laptop, you will need a USB cable.
Step 2.Finish connection
Connect your iOS device and PC/Mac with a USB cable. On the AirDroid Cast list of available devices on the PC side, you will need to select your iOS device. You will see a pop-up window appear on your iOS device. Simply tap the “Trust“ option.

mirror iphone to pc via usb

Step 3.Start mirroring
Upon successful connection, the screen of your iOS device will be displayed on the computer. Network instabilities will not affect the screen quality. The output resolution is high-definition and no delays occur during the screen sharing as excellent connection stability is assured.

mirror iphone to pc via usb 2

Apart from these, AirDroid Cast comes with the following advanced features:

  • Secure connection
    It has encrypted connections which ensure security when screen mirroring.
  • Multiple screens on a computer
    To boost productivity, you can cast up to 5 screens on a single computer.
  • Screen off sharing
    This will help you save the battery life of your phone. Likewise, you can choose to also lock and hide away your phone when mirroring your screen to protect sensitive information on your phone.
  • Record your Android/iPhone screen
    It enables you to record your mobile screen directly from your PC after mirror the phone screen to PC via USB or wirelessly.
  • Control your iPhone from your PC
    Not only can you see the phone screen on PC via USB, but also you can control the mobile device from the computer.
  • Share device audio
    It allows you to share your device audio with your PC and listen to it from the PC’s speakers.

If you want to go through the setup process visually, here’s a video illustration of how to view an iPhone/Android Screen on a PC.

Method 2. View Android Screen on PC via USB with Scrcpy

Scrcpy is another incredible software that lets you view your Android screen on your PC via USB. It's a powerful tool that can be used by developers, gamers, and Android enthusiasts alike. It's an excellent way to showcase your app or game on a larger screen or to access your Android device's content with ease.

Scrcpy

NOTE: Scrcpy is a free and open source tool that is powerful but requires a slightly higher level of knowledge and only supports Android devices.

Steps to mirror Android to PC with Scrcpy

    1. On this Github page, scroll down to the description of the software. In the "Get the App" section, look for the description for Windows and download the appropriate file for your system (32- or 64-bit) there.

download Scrcpy

  1. Scrcpy is free software that allows you to mirror the screen of a cell phone with Android 5.0 or higher to a PC monitor via USB cable or WLAN. In this way, the phone can also be operated with any existing input devices for the PC/laptop.
  2. The phone can then be used at any time; calls can be made and received. All other functions or apps are also available.
  3. To establish a connection, you still have to activate debugging on your Android.

  4. Go to Settings > System > Developer options > Enable USB debugging.
  5. Now connect the phone to the PC using a USB cable.
  6. Open the folder you created earlier and start Scrcpy by double-clicking SCRCPY.EXE.
Summary: If you're not familiar with the command line and value simple, stable operation, we recommend using a graphical - interface app like AirDroid Cast instead of Scrcpy. While Scrcpy is highly customizable and great for technically skilled users, its configuration may be complex for others.

Part 3. Screen Mirroring via USB vs. Wireless

If you don't want to use USB, you can also mirror your screen wirelessly.But they differ in terms of speed, reliability, and quality. Here are some reasons why USB screen mirroring might be a better option than wireless:

AspectScreen Mirroring via USBWireless Screen Mirroring
⚡SpeedFast and perfectDepending on the network
✅ReliabilityMore reliableLess reliable
🖥Streaming qualityhigher quality and resolutionsSometimes lagging
🔐Security in connectingMore secureLess secure
ConvenienceLess convenientmore convenient

From this analysis, we can conclude that screen mirroring using a USB cable is much better than wireless screen mirroring because it offers a more stable and secure connection, supports higher-quality video, and is faster.

Suppose your phone’s screen is broken or you have dead pixels on it, you can use screen mirroring to operate it directly from your PC. If you want a detailed walkthrough on how to view your broken phone screen on a PC, you can go through this guide.

Part 4. Tips for Improving Screen Image Quality

One of AirDroid Cast’s features is that it gives you control over your viewing experience. From its settings page, you can modify the quality of the video and have it display at 480p, 720p, or 1080p resolution.

For gaming, AirDroid Cast allows you to choose the framerate between 20 and 120Hz on which your games will play. These settings help to improve the quality of the phone screen image on your PC.

How to improve image quality and frame rate with AirDroid Cast?

Firstly, click on the Cable tab. Here, you’ll see settings on image quality and frame rate for Android and iOS.

Then, choose your preferred quality and frame rate and AirDroid Cast will automatically apply it to your current video. You can set the highest values (1080p & 120Hz) and this can help you get a clearer and more detailed image on your PC screen.

setup sreen mirroring

Here also are some other tips you can apply for better image quality include the following:

Using a high-speed USB cable:

If you're connecting between PC and phone using via USB, make sure that you use a high-speed USB cable to ensure a faster and more reliable data transfer between your phone and PC.

Poor quality or damaged USB cables can lead to slow data transfer speeds, which can affect the image quality and cause lag or delay.

Closing unnecessary apps or windows on your phone and PC :

This will help improve the performance of your screen mirroring app and enhance the image quality. Running too many apps or windows can slow down your device and cause lags or delays.

Adjusting the lighting conditions in your room :

Make sure that your phone's screen is well-lit and free from glare or reflections. You can also adjust the brightness and contrast settings on your phone to get a clearer and more vibrant image.

Reducing network traffic :

If you're casting your phone wirelessly, always make sure that there are few or no other devices connected to the same network. Doing this will improve your network's speed and performance. You can also try to reduce network traffic by disabling automatic app updates or downloads, and by closing unnecessary browser tabs or apps.

With these settings, you’ll be able to enrich your screen mirroring experience tenfold.

Part 5. How to Make Use of Screen Mirroring?

As we’ve already seen, screen mirroring lets you display smaller screen sizes on larger ones. There are many different ways you can make use of this to enhance your productivity and entertainment. Here’s a list of some alternative uses of screen mirroring:

Showcase Presentations or Tutorials

Screen mirroring can be useful for teaching or training purposes, where you can use your phone to demonstrate certain techniques or concepts.

You can showcase presentations or tutorials to larger audiences from your phone screen when you mirror them onto larger screens, such as TVs or projectors.

Showcase Presentations or Tutorials

Stream Games

For instance, a mobile gamer can play games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Warzone Mobile on a larger screen for better controls, views, and a more immersive experience.

play games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Warzone Mobile on a larger screen

Remote Control

With AirDroid Cast, you can interact with your device from another location, such as a computer or another mobile device, without physically touching them.

Simply put, where a user is unable to physically access their device, they can still control various actions on their devices from a remote location. For example, they can still launch and close apps, navigate through menus, and perform other actions within their devices albeit in a different location.

control mobile on computer

Text Messaging

Since mirroring lets you control what happens on your device, it means you’re also able to send and receive text messages from your computer.

You can type and respond to messages quickly because you have full keyboard and mouse support from your PC.

text messages

Test Applications

App developers, for example, can monitor their coding process, and easily identify and fix bugs when they test their apps on different devices and screen sizes.

Having said all this, screen mirroring is useful for any use case that requires transferring a mobile experience to a desktop or TV.

Part 6. Conclusion & FAQs

In conclusion, screen mirroring is a great feature that allows you to display your phone's screen on a larger screen like a PC or TV. With AirDroid Cast, you can easily connect your phone to your PC via USB or wirelessly and start viewing your phone screen on your PC. This makes it easier to manage your phone's content, including photos, videos, and messages, and also to use your phone's apps on a larger screen.

pic cast pop 01

AirDroid Cast

  • Local & Remote Screen Casting
  • Android,iOS,Windows,Mac,TV Screen Mirroring
  • Wireless & USB Connection
  • Total Control Android & iOS beyond Your Finger
  • Mirror Multiple Screen

Additional FAQs

How to Mirror My Phone to Chromebook?
Elsa
Elsa
You can download AirDroid Cast on your mobile phone, open a browser and go to webcast.airdroid.com on your Chromebook. Then you can mirror your phone to Chromebook easily by tapping QR code or cast code on your phone.
Can I mirror my entire screen to PC, or can just part of my screen be mirrored?
Elsa
Elsa
You can share your smartphones‘ entire screen with your PC.
Can I View Phone Screen on PC via USB without App?
Elsa
Elsa

No, it is impossible to view your phone screen on a PC via USB without an app, because most smartphones do not have built-in support for screen mirroring over USB, which means you need an app to facilitate the process.

Therefore, using an app like AirDroid Cast is a safe and reliable way to view your phone screen on a PC via USB. It is designed to provide a secure and seamless way to mirror your screen, making it easy to control your device from your computer.

How do I disconnect my phone from my PC once I'm finished using it?
Elsa
Elsa
Simply click the STOP button on AirDroid Cast to discontinue the connection. Or, rather, just unplug the USB cable or close the AirDroid Cast app to disconnect.
Is there a specific app or software I need to use to view my phone screen on my PC?
Elsa
Elsa
As long as both your phone and the PC are wireless-casting enabled, you can cast your phone screen onto a PC. Instead, apps like AirDroid Cast help streamline the process by making it easier on the go. All you have to do is scan some QR code or enable USB debugging if not connected to WiFi.
How to display phone screen on laptop with USB?
Elsa
Elsa
To share your phone screen on your laptop with a USB cable, you can connect your phone and your laptop using third-party screen mirroring applications such as Scrcpy or AirDroid Cast.
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Elsa
Elsa
Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.
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