How to Mirror Your Android Phone to PC via USB

There are countless things you can do on your Android phone. However, its screen might be too small when watching a video with friends. In this case, you can mirror your Android screen to a PC with a USB cable. While this may sound difficult, it’s straightforward if you have the right tools and knowledge.

This guide explains how to mirror your Android phone’s screen to a computer via a USB cable to speed up your workflow. 

Screen mirroring may be handy when presenting projects, watching videos with friends, or working on a product design or software code. It allows you to show something to others on a bigger screen or avoid picking up your phone severally when working. Phone screen mirroring can also reduce eye strain when working on a project or gaming for several hours.

How to Enable USB Debugging on Android

To begin, you need a USB cable and specific software tools. USB cable phone screen mirroring is faster than any wireless connection. It also works on most desktop computers and stays stable throughout. Before you start mirroring, you should enable the USB debugging mode on your Android phone.

1. Open the Settings app and tap About device.
2. Tap Build number seven times to enable the Developer options.
3. Move back to Settings, choose Additional settings, followed by Developer options.
   
4. Move down and enable the USB debugging toggle.
   
5. Select OK to verify your action.
   

Depending on which Android phone you own, the steps to enable USB debugging might vary a bit.

How to Mirror Your Android Phone’s Screen to PC Via a USB Cable

Now that you have activated USB debugging, you can share your Android screen on a PC. However, you require a specific software tool to start and finish this task. To simplify your work, here are some handpicked options to try.

Scrcpy

Scrcpy is a phone screen mirroring tool you can find online. Besides supporting all desktop computers, Scrcpy can use a USB cable or Wi-Fi connection. The mirroring tool also lets you record the screen and use the connected phone as a webcam.

Here’s how to mirror your Android phone’s screen to your PC with Scrcpy:

1. Download Scrcpy from GitHub. Attach your Android phone to your PC using a USB cable.
   
2. Extract the Scrcpy app to a folder on your PC and run it from there.
   
3. When Scrcpy opens, it will detect your phone. Then, it will show your Android phone screen on your PC.
   

Do note that Scrcpy won’t forward your audio files unless you run Android 10 or newer.

Price: Free; Supported Platform: Android and Windows

Vysor

You should try viewing your Android screen on a computer via a USB cable with Vysor. After successfully connecting both screens, you can browse your phone on the computer screen. All you require is your mouse and keyboard. Whether you want to write software code, design a logo, watch a video, or play games, Vysor will assist you.

1. Download and install Vysor on your Mac or Windows PC and Android phone from the Google Play Store.
   
2. Establish a connection between your computer and phone using a USB cable.
3. Wait for your Android device to appear on a list on your PC.
   
4. Click view device icon to see your phone’s screen on PC.
   
5. You can then use your Android phone from your PC.

Price: Free; Supported Platform:  Mac, Windows, Linux, Browsers, Android and iOS

Apart from mirroring, you can wirelessly transfer files from your Android PC to Android and vice versa. 

Phone Link 

If you have a Samsung phone, you can use Phone Link, a native Microsoft application, to mirror the screen on your Windows PC. To use it, first install Phone Link on your Windows PC and your Samsung phone and synchronize them. Then, follow the steps below:

1. Open Phone Link on your Windows PC and click your phone image on the left sidebar.
   
2. Select the Start now option in the prompt that appears to give your permission to mirror your phone screen to your PC.
   

And that’s about it. Your Samsung phone screen will be displayed on your Windows PC.

Price: Free; Supported Platform: Samsung Phones and Windows

Display Your Android’s Screen on PC

To view your phone apps on a larger screen, make sure you have a PC, a USB cable, and a specific software tool or app. After choosing the best mirroring software, follow the simple instructions to mirror your phone’s screen onto your PC. Most phone screen mirroring software programs can work on any desktop operating system and offer a wireless connection as a bonus.

Once you’ve mirrored your Android phone to your computer, you may be interested in learning how to mirror your Mac to your Smart TV or your Android phone to Roku.

FAQs