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Mirroring your iPhone to your PC can be highly useful in many circumstances. For instance, if you want to display your phone’s screen on a larger monitor or if you want to show someone else how to use a certain app or function on your phone. Additionally, mirroring your iPhone to your PC can allow you to access certain files or photos stored on your iPhone easily.
However, while there are many methods to mirror your iPhone to your PC over a WiFi connection or Bluetooth, only a few allow you to mirror your phone to your PC via USB cable specifically. This blog post is meant to guide you through the process of mirroring your iPhone to your PC via USB cable, as well as provide you with some insights on the pros and cons of using this method.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we get started, let’s first make sure you have everything you need to carry out this tutorial. Here’s what you’ll need:
– An iPhone with iOS 11 or higher
– A PC with a USB port and Windows 10 operating system
– A lightning to USB cable to connect your iPhone and PC
– A screen recording software such as QuickTime Player on your Mac or RecMaster on your Windows PC
What requires your attention is…?
Before we delve into the methods of mirroring your iPhone to your PC via USB cable, it’s important to note that you’ll need to enable ‘Trust This Computer’ on your iPhone in order to establish a connection with your PC.
When you first connect your iPhone to your PC via USB, you’ll be prompted with a pop-up message on your phone asking whether you trust this computer. You will need to tap ‘Trust’ in order to establish a connection and proceed. Additionally, make sure that your lightning to USB cable is not damaged or frayed, as this may cause connectivity issues between your iPhone and PC.
Method 1: Using QuickTime Player (for Mac users)
If you’re using a Mac computer, QuickTime Player is the built-in screen recording software that can help you mirror your iPhone to your PC easily. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac computer via USB cable.
2. Open QuickTime Player on your Mac.
3. Click on ‘File’ from the top menu bar and select ‘New Movie Recording’.
4. Click on the arrow next to the red ‘Record’ button to open a dropdown menu.
5. From the menu, select your iPhone as the camera input.
6. Open your iPhone and tap ‘Start Recording’.
7. QuickTime Player should now mirror your iPhone to your PC screen.
Pros:
– QuickTime Player is free and built-in to Mac computers.
– This method requires only a USB cable, making it more accessible for users who don’t have access to a WiFi network.
Cons:
– This method is exclusive to Mac users.
– QuickTime Player may cause lag or delay when mirroring an iPhone to a PC screen.
Method 2: Using RecMaster (for Windows users)
If you’re using a Windows computer, RecMaster is a third-party screen recording software that you can use to mirror your iPhone to your PC. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Download and install RecMaster on your Windows computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to your Windows computer via USB cable.
3. Launch RecMaster and select ‘Screen recording’.
4. Click on ‘Custom Area’ and select your iPhone screen as the recording area.
5. Click on ‘Microphone’ and select ‘System Sound’.
6. Click on ‘Record’ to begin recording your iPhone screen and mirroring it to your PC.
Pros:
– RecMaster offers multiple recording options and editing features.
– This method works for all Windows computers.
Cons:
– RecMaster requires a paid subscription to access all features.
– This method may have compatibility issues with certain Windows computers.
Method 3: Using LonelyScreen
If you don’t have QuickTime Player or RecMaster on your computer, you can download a third-party app called LonelyScreen, which can help you mirror your iPhone to your PC with ease. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Download and install LonelyScreen on your PC from the official website.
2. After installation, open the app and connect your iPhone to your PC via USB cable.
3. You will see your iPhone name on the LonelyScreen window. Clicking on it.
4. LonelyScreen will start mirroring your iPhone screen on your PC.
Pros:
– LonelyScreen can be used on both Windows and Mac computers.
– This method is easy to use with little to no configuration needed.
Cons:
– LonelyScreen requires a paid subscription to access all features.
– This method may have compatibility issues with certain iPhone models.
Why Can’t I Mirror My iPhone to PC?
While mirroring your iPhone to your PC via USB cable can be a handy trick, it’s not without its challenges. Here are a few reasons why you may have trouble mirroring your iPhone to your PC and some solutions you can try:
1. Your lightning to USB cable may be damaged or faulty. Try using a different cable or clean the charging port of your iPhone.
2. Your PC may not have the necessary drivers for iPhone connectivity. Update your PC’s drivers or restart your computer and try again.
3. There may be a security or firewall setting blocking your iPhone from connecting to your PC. Adjust your security settings or disable your firewall temporarily to see if it solves the issue.
Implications and Recommendations
Mirroring your iPhone to your PC via USB cable can be a lifesaver in many situations, whether you want to share your screen with someone else or access files stored on your phone. However, it’s important to note that this feature is often limited to certain computers or requires the use of third-party software that may come with additional fees or compatibility issues.
If you’re a Mac user, QuickTime Player is a reliable built-in option for mirroring your iPhone to your PC. For Windows users, RecMaster or LonelyScreen can get the job done but may require a paid subscription or have compatibility concerns.
It’s always recommended to explore different options and do your research before committing to a particular software or method. If you’re still unsure which method to use or need more assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to technical support for help.
5 FAQ’s
Q: Is it possible to mirror an iPhone to a PC without a lightning to USB cable?
A: No, a lightning to USB cable is required to establish a USB connection between your iPhone and your PC.
Q: How can I stop the screen recording on QuickTime Player?
A: To stop the screen recording on QuickTime Player, simply click on the ‘Stop Recording’ button or press ‘Command + Control + Esc’ on your Mac keyboard.
Q: Can I mirror my iPhone to my PC without screen recording software?
A: Yes, some third-party apps such as LonelyScreen can help you mirror your iPhone to your PC without the need for additional software.
Q: Is there a way to mirror my iPhone directly to my PC’s screen without software?
A: No, a third-party software or built-in screen recording app is required to mirror your iPhone to your PC.
Q: How can I enable ‘Trust This Computer’ on my iPhone?
A: When prompted with the pop-up message asking if you trust this computer, simply tap ‘Trust’ to establish a connection between your iPhone and your PC.
Conclusion
Mirroring your iPhone to your PC via USB cable is a handy tool that can help you in many situations. However, it’s important to choose a reliable method or software and take note of any compatibility concerns or subscription fees before proceeding. With the help of the methods outlined in this blog post, you should be able to mirror your iPhone to your PC with ease and take your productivity to the next level.