Mirroring an iPhone to a PC without Wi-Fi, or with a USB cable

Screen mirroring needs the iPhone and the PC to be on the same local network. It does not need the internet. That difference answers most questions about mirroring without Wi-Fi, and about cables.

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Windows 10 and 11 · 64‑bit

Without internet: yes

The picture goes straight from the phone to the PC through your router and never touches the internet. A router with no internet connection at all, such as an old one you have in a drawer or a small travel router, is enough. Connect both devices to it and mirror as usual.

Without Wi-Fi on the PC: yes

The PC does not need Wi-Fi. Plugged into the router by Ethernet cable, it is on the same network as the phone's Wi-Fi, and mirroring is usually smoother that way.

Without any network: no

The iPhone finds receivers by looking on the network it is connected to. With no network between the two devices, the PC cannot appear in the Screen Mirroring list.

Some people connect the PC to the iPhone's Personal Hotspot to make a network of two. Whether the phone then lists the PC depends on the phone and the version of iOS; we do not promise it works, and a router is the dependable choice.

With a USB cable: not with Mirlow

Mirlow receives the screen wirelessly, the way an Apple TV does, and does not mirror over USB. Plugging the iPhone into the PC gives Windows access to its photos and lets it charge, nothing more.

With Bluetooth: no

Bluetooth is far too slow for live video. Screen mirroring does not use it to carry the picture.

Common questions

Does screen mirroring use mobile data?

No. Mirroring to a PC on the same network stays on that network. Apps you use while mirroring use data as they normally would.

Can I mirror in a hotel, or on public Wi-Fi?

Often not. Hotel and public networks usually stop devices from seeing each other. A small travel router of your own gets round that.

Do the phone and the PC have to be on the same Wi-Fi name?

They have to be on the same network, which normally means the same router. Its 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz names are the same network; its guest network is not.

Is there a wired way to show an iPhone on a screen?

Apple sells adapters that connect an iPhone to a monitor or TV by HDMI. That goes to a display's HDMI input, not into Windows.

Try it on your own PC

Mirlow is free and open source, and needs no account.