Guide
Casting vs. mirroring: what's the difference?
RRemote Cast Labs Team · · 4 min read
“Casting” and “mirroring” get used as if they mean the same thing — but under the hood they work quite differently. Knowing which is which helps you pick the right one for the moment.
Here's the short version, then the details.
Casting: send a stream
When you cast, your phone tells the TV what to play, and the TV fetches and plays it directly. Your phone becomes a remote — you can lock it, open other apps, or walk away, and playback keeps going. It's efficient, battery-friendly, and best for video and music.
Mirroring: copy your screen
When you mirror, the TV shows an exact, live copy of your phone's display — every tap, swipe, and notification. It's perfect for photos, presentations, apps that don't support casting, or anything where you want the TV to follow along in real time.
Which should you use?
Reach for casting when…
You're watching a long video or listening to music and want to keep using your phone for other things.
Reach for mirroring when…
You want to show photos, a slideshow, a live app, or a presentation exactly as it looks on your phone.
Good news: our apps do both. Cast a video with one tap, or mirror your whole screen when you need it.