Tech Matters: From the small screen to the big screen – All about mirroring and casting

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Leslie MeredithIf you’ve ever wished for a simpler way to send a file from your computer to a contact on your phone or watch content on a big screen that’s only available in a phone app, mirroring or casting your devices might be the solution. Both allow you to share your phone screen or its content with a larger display, but they work in slightly different ways.
Mirroring means displaying the entire screen of a device exactly as it appears on another screen, replicating everything on the source device. Casting, on the other hand, sends specific content — like a YouTube video or Netflix show — from an app to another device, freeing up your phone for other tasks. Whether you’re multitasking on your computer or streaming entertainment to your TV, these tools can make them so much easier.
First, let’s understand the technology. AirPlay is Apple’s method for sharing your iPhone (or iPad) screen with other Apple devices like Macs or Apple TVs. Think of it as a wireless bridge that displays whatever is on your phone on a larger screen, whether that’s a document, an app or a game. For casting, your TV may support this function or you may need a small device like Google Chromecast.
Now let’s look at the practical uses of mirroring. Imagine you’re working on your computer and need to send a document to a colleague on WhatsApp. Instead of reverting to email to send a document that’s only on your computer, you can paste a link or drag and drop the file directly into the app displayed on your computer screen. Mirroring lets you interact with your phone as though it’s another window on your desktop, but it looks like a phone screen. The setup is easy to do for Mac users but takes a bit more effort for those on PCs.
To set up mirroring on a Mac, you’ll use AirPlay. Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and open the Control Center on your iPhone. Tap “Screen Mirroring” and select your Mac from the list. Your phone screen will appear as a resizable window on your computer. From there, you can navigate apps, type with your computer keyboard and even share your clipboard. However, there’s one downside: Using your physical phone during a mirroring session will terminate the connection, and you’ll have to reconnect.
For Windows users, it’s not as plug-and-play, but you can still mirror an iPhone to your PC with third-party apps like Reflector or LonelyScreen. Once installed, these apps let your PC act as an AirPlay receiver, enabling screen sharing in just a few steps. Download the app, connect your devices to the same Wi-Fi and follow the app’s instructions to start mirroring. While these tools require a small purchase or subscription, they’re intuitive and reliable, offering PC users access to the same conveniences as Mac users.
When it comes to watching content from your phone on a larger screen, casting is the way to go. Casting lets you stream selected content — whether it’s a live sports game, a concert or a YouTube video — directly to your TV while keeping your phone free for other tasks such as answering calls and using your phone as a remote.
Casting is a built-in feature on many modern smart TVs, but if yours doesn’t have it, you can still add a small device to your TV such as a Roku Express or something similar as long as the device is compatible with AirPlay. Open the app on your phone, look for the casting icon (usually a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner), and select your TV from the list of devices. Once connected, the content will play on your TV.
Casting doesn’t stop at video — many audio apps support it, too. For instance, if you’re hosting a party and want to play music through a better sound system, you can cast Spotify or Apple Music to a compatible smart speaker or TV. This flexibility makes casting a versatile option for upgrading your media experience.
Casting and mirroring may seem similar at first glance, but each serves a distinct purpose. Mirroring replicates everything on your phone – a virtual phone on your computer — making it useful for work or collaboration, while casting is used for streaming content. Together, these tools make it easier to connect your devices and enjoy seamless multitasking or a better viewing experience.
Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.