Mirror Samsung Phone to PC: Full How-To

Mirroring your Samsung phone to a PC lets you view your phone’s screen on a larger display, control apps with your mouse and keyboard, and present content easily. This guide covers the built-in Windows Phone Link method and a reliable wireless option, with steps for both Windows and Mac where possible.

What You’ll Need

• A Samsung phone (Galaxy S, Note, Z series, or A series) running Android 9 or newer.
• A PC with Windows 10 or Windows 11 (for the built-in method), or a Mac/PC for third-party apps.
• Both devices on the same Wi-Fi network for wireless mirroring.
• A USB cable for a wired connection (optional but more stable).
• Microsoft account (free) for Phone Link.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using Windows Phone Link (Built-in)

1. On your PC, open the Phone Link app (search “Phone Link” in the Start menu). If you don’t have it, download it from the Microsoft Store.
2. On your Samsung phone, install the Link to Windows app from the Google Play Store. It may already be preinstalled.
3. Open Phone Link on your PC and sign in with your Microsoft account.
4. Open Link to Windows on your phone and sign in with the same Microsoft account.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to pair the devices. You’ll see a QR code on your PC; scan it with your phone’s camera, or manually enter the code shown.
6. Once connected, your phone’s apps and notifications will appear in Phone Link.
7. To mirror the screen, click the “Apps” icon in Phone Link, then select “Mirror your phone screen” (or click the phone icon in the toolbar).
8. Your phone’s screen will appear in a window on your PC. You can click and type to control it.

Method 2: Using a Third-Party App (Scrcpy)

1. Download and install Scrcpy from its official GitHub repository (look for the latest release). It’s free and open-source.
2. Enable Developer options on your phone: Go to Settings > About phone, then tap Software information and tap Build number seven times.
3. In Developer options, enable USB debugging.
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB cable. When prompted on your phone, allow USB debugging (check “Always allow from this computer”).
5. Extract the Scrcpy folder on your PC and open a command prompt in that folder (Shift+right-click > “Open command window here”).
6. Type scrcpy and press Enter. Your phone’s screen will appear on your PC.
7. To control it, just click and type. Use the keyboard shortcuts (e.g., Alt+1 to rotate) as needed.

Method 3: Wireless Mirroring with Samsung Flow (for Samsung PCs)

1. If you have a Samsung PC, install Samsung Flow on both devices from the Microsoft Store and Galaxy Store.
2. Open Samsung Flow on both devices and sign in with your Samsung account.
3. Follow the prompts to pair them via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
4. Once paired, select “Smart View” or “Screen mirroring” in the app to display your phone’s screen.

Common Mistakes

• Not using the same Microsoft account for Phone Link and Link to Windows – this causes pairing failure.
• USB debugging not enabled when using Scrcpy – the app won’t detect your phone.
• Devices on different Wi-Fi networks – wireless mirroring won’t work.
• Phone screen turns off – keep your phone’s screen awake during mirroring (adjust screen timeout or keep it plugged in).
• Outdated apps – both Phone Link and Link to Windows need to be updated regularly.

Tips

• For a stable connection, use a USB cable instead of Wi-Fi, especially for gaming or video playback.
• In Phone Link, you can pin frequently used apps to the top for quick access.
• Use the “Full screen” button in Phone Link to maximize the mirrored window.
• On Scrcpy, you can set a higher bitrate for better quality: scrcpy --bit-rate 8M.
• If you want to mirror audio, ensure your PC’s sound output is set to the correct device (Phone Link may not transmit audio; Scrcpy does).

Troubleshooting

• Phone Link says “Can’t connect”: Make sure your phone’s Bluetooth is on (Phone Link uses Bluetooth for initial pairing). Also, restart both apps and your phone.
• Screen mirroring is laggy: Move closer to your router, close background apps, or switch to a USB connection.
• Scrcpy says “No device found”: Reinstall USB drivers (Samsung USB driver from Samsung’s website), or try a different USB port. Ensure USB debugging is enabled.
• Phone screen appears black on PC: Some apps block screen capture (e.g., banking apps). Try a different app or disable DRM protection.
• Audio not playing through PC: In Phone Link, click the settings gear and enable “Play audio on PC”. In Scrcpy, ensure your phone’s audio output is set to “Phone” (Scrcpy captures it).
• Pairing fails repeatedly: Reset the Phone Link app on PC (Settings > Apps > Phone Link > Advanced options > Reset), then start over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror my Samsung phone to a PC without Wi-Fi?

Yes, you can use a USB cable with Scrcpy or Phone Link (Phone Link requires Wi-Fi for screen mirroring, but Scrcpy works over USB).

Does mirroring drain my phone’s battery?

Yes, mirroring uses extra power. Keep your phone plugged in during long sessions.

Can I control my phone with my PC’s mouse and keyboard?

Yes, both Phone Link and Scrcpy allow full control, including typing and clicking.

Is mirroring secure?

Generally yes, but avoid mirroring sensitive content on public computers. Scrcpy’s USB connection is encrypted via ADB.

Why can’t I mirror my phone to a Mac?

Phone Link is Windows-only. On Mac, you can use Scrcpy (works on macOS) or Samsung DeX for PC (via a USB cable).

Can I mirror my phone to a PC without installing any apps?

No, you need at least the Phone Link app on PC and Link to Windows on your phone, or a third-party app like Scrcpy.

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