Mirroring Your Phone to a Projector
Whether you want to stream a movie, show photos, or run a presentation from your phone, mirroring to a projector is simpler than most people expect. There are multiple methods depending on whether you have an Android or iPhone and what type of projector you own. This guide covers them all.
Method 1: Miracast / Smart View (Android)
Miracast is a wireless screen mirroring standard built into most Android phones and many projectors. It creates a direct WiFi connection between your phone and projector — no internet or router required.
- On the projector, go to Input → Wireless Display or Miracast and enable it. The projector will show a waiting screen.
- On your Android phone, open the notification shade and tap Smart View, Screen Cast, or Wireless Display (name varies by brand).
- Your projector should appear in the list — tap it to connect.
- Your phone screen will now appear on the projector in a few seconds.
For Samsung phones, the feature is called Smart View. For OnePlus, it’s Screen Cast. For Xiaomi, it’s Cast / Wireless Display.
Method 2: Apple AirPlay (iPhone)
iPhone supports AirPlay 2 for wireless mirroring. Your projector needs to support AirPlay 2 — most Hisense Laser TVs, BenQ smart projectors, and some LG/Samsung models do. Both your iPhone and the projector must be on the same WiFi network.
- Connect the projector to your home WiFi.
- On your iPhone, open Control Centre (swipe from top-right corner).
- Tap Screen Mirroring.
- Select your projector from the list.
- Enter the AirPlay code shown on screen if prompted.
If your projector doesn’t support AirPlay, plug an Apple TV into the projector’s HDMI port and AirPlay to the Apple TV instead.
Method 3: Chromecast (Android & iPhone)
If you have a Chromecast or a projector with Chromecast built in, you can cast your screen wirelessly.
- Plug the Chromecast into the projector’s HDMI port and ensure it’s on the same WiFi network as your phone.
- Open the Google Home app on your phone.
- Select the Chromecast device and tap Cast my screen.
- On iPhone, use individual app casting (YouTube, Netflix) rather than full-screen cast, or use AirPlay to a Chromecast-compatible device.
Method 4: HDMI Adapter (Wired — Best Quality)
For the most stable, zero-lag connection with the highest resolution:
- Android: Use a USB-C to HDMI adapter — works on phones that support DisplayPort Alt Mode (most flagship Android phones from 2019 onwards).
- iPhone: Use a Lightning to HDMI adapter (for iPhone 14 and older) or a USB-C to HDMI adapter (iPhone 15 and newer).
- Connect the HDMI end to the projector, select the correct input source, and your phone screen appears automatically.
This is the best method for gaming, video calls, or any content requiring low latency. Learn more about wired and wireless connections in this guide on how to set up an Android projector.
Which Method Should You Use?
- Movies / streaming apps: Chromecast or AirPlay (apps cast directly, better quality than screen mirror)
- Presentations / slideshows: HDMI adapter (zero lag, reliable)
- Gaming: HDMI adapter only (mirroring methods add noticeable lag)
- Quick casual sharing: Miracast / Smart View (no cables needed)
Common Issues and Fixes
- Phone not detected by projector: Ensure both are on the same WiFi band (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz can cause issues).
- Screen mirroring laggy: Move closer to the projector; use Chromecast or HDMI for better performance.
- Black screen when casting Netflix/Disney+: These apps block screen mirroring — use Chromecast or AirPlay from within the app instead.
- HDMI adapter not detected: Not all Android phones support video out via USB-C; check your phone’s specifications.