Screen mirroring can be an incredibly useful feature for sharing content between devices. But what happens when it’s not used as intended? Whether it’s an attempt to spy on your activities or a random connection request that you didn’t approve, screen mirroring can pose a privacy risk. Thankfully, blocking screen mirroring is easier than you might think, and there are several simple ways to prevent it across different devices.
In this article, we’ll explore how to block screen mirroring on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and other larger devices like TVs. We’ll also discuss some tips on ensuring your devices stay safe from unwanted mirroring.
Before diving into how to block screen mirroring, it’s important to understand how the feature works. In this way you can better utilize characteristics to disable it.
Understanding How Screen Mirroring Builde Connections Between Devices
Screen mirroring relies on wireless technologies like Wi-Fi to establish connections between devices. Whether you’re using those official screen casting providers, third-party apps, or web-based solutions, they need network or short-range wireless communication technologies (e.g., Buletooth, NearLink, NFC) to start screen sharing.
This characteristic is both a convenience and a disadvantage. But, it also simplifies the blocking process. You can just control the network for your devices to stop casting.
Although the mechanism is simple like this, practical solutions can be various. Check the how-to guides below.
Quick Jump:
How to Block Screen Mirroring on Apple Devices?
How to Block Screen Mirroring on Android?
How to Block Screen Mirroring on Any Devices?
How to Block Screen Mirroring on Apple Devices?
Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks, offer seamless screen mirroring options using AirPlay.
1.Turn Off AirPlay on iPhone and iPad
1) Open Control Center.
- On an iPhone X or newer (with Face ID) or iPad with iOS 12 or later, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center.
- On an iPhone 8 or earlier (with a Home button), swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the Control Center.
2) Stop Mirroring.
- In the Control Center, locate the Screen Mirroring button (represented by two overlapping rectangles).
- If AirPlay or screen mirroring is currently active, the device name will be displayed next to the button (e.g., Apple TV, Chromecast, etc.).
- Tap Stop Mirroring to disconnect from any active mirroring session.
3) Disable AirPlay Settings (Optional but Recommended).
a. Open Settings on your device.
b. Scroll down and tap on AirPlay & Handoff.
c. Under the AirPlay section, set AirPlay to Off. This will stop your device from accepting incoming AirPlay connections automatically.
By disabling AirPlay from the Control Center and the settings menu, you effectively prevent your iPhone or iPad from sharing its screen with other devices.
2.Block AirPlay on macOS
1) Turn Off AirPlay from the Menu Bar.
On the top-right corner of your Mac's screen, look for the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom).
Click the AirPlay icon and select Turn AirPlay Off from the drop-down menu to stop the mirroring session.
2) Disable AirPlay Preferences in System Settings.
a. Open System Preferences from the Apple menu.
b. Click on Displays.
c. In the Display window, if your Mac is connected to an AirPlay device, you’ll see an option called AirPlay Display.
d. Set the AirPlay Display option to Off to prevent future automatic connections.
3) Use the Firewall to Block Incoming AirPlay Connections.
For an added layer of security, you can enable the firewall on your Mac to block unauthorized incoming connections, including AirPlay requests. To do this:
- Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
- Click the Firewall tab and click Turn On Firewall if it’s not already active.
- Under the Firewall Options, you can set more advanced rules to block incoming connections from devices that are trying to mirror your screen.
3. Disable Screen Mirroring on Apple TV (Prevent Devices from Mirroring to Your TV)
While most users want to block screen mirroring on their phones or laptops, you might also want to control who can mirror content to your Apple TV. If you’re the owner of an Apple TV and want to restrict unauthorized devices from using AirPlay to stream content to your TV, here’s how you can do it:
1) Open Settings on Apple TV.
On the Apple TV home screen, navigate to Settings.
2) Go to AirPlay Settings:
Scroll down and select AirPlay and HomeKit.
3) Turn Off AirPlay:
In the AirPlay settings menu, set AirPlay to Off. This will completely block any devices from mirroring to your Apple TV.
4) Set AirPlay to Require a Password:
- If you still want to allow some connections but limit access to only authorized users, you can choose to Require a Password to connect.
- To do this, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Require Password and choose either First Time Only or Always.
How to Block Screen Mirroring on Android?
Many Android smartphones come with built-in casting or screen mirroring features. Generally, you can block the feature in Settings. However, the exact feature name can be different based on the brand you use. The following are common methods.
1.Disable Chromecast on Android
One of the most popular ways to mirror content from an Android device is through Chromecast, which is typically used with devices like smart TVs and streaming boxes. If you want to prevent your Android device from connecting to these devices, the first step is to disable it.
1) Open the Settings App:
Begin by opening the Settings app on your Android device.
2) Go to Connected Devices:
Scroll down and tap on Connected devices or Connections (the exact name may vary depending on your device model and Android version).
3) Select Connection Preferences:
Once you’re in the connected devices section, tap on Connection preferences.
4) Turn Off Google Cast:
Under the Cast or Screen sharing section, toggle the option to Off. This will disable the ability to cast your screen or media to other devices.
2. Disable Miracast Screen Mirroring
Miracast is another popular screen mirroring protocol used by many Android devices, particularly for connecting to smart TVs and other wireless displays. While Miracast allows for screen sharing without an internet connection (using Wi-Fi Direct), it’s possible to turn it off to block unwanted connections.
1) Open Settings:
On your Android device, open the Settings app.
2) Go to Display or Wireless Display:
Scroll to Display (or sometimes Connections), and tap on it. Then look for an option labeled Wireless display or Cast. Some Android models may list Miracast under Screen Sharing or Screen Mirroring.
3) Disable Wireless Display:
If you find the Wireless display option enabled, turn it off. If you see any active connections, select the device and tap Disconnect.
How to Block Screen Mirroring on Any Devices?
As mentioned above, using network (no matter remote or short distance) is the key to start screen mirroring. If you want to restrict it completely for security and privacy reasons, you can control and manage your network to block screen mirroring on any device. Here is a guide.
1.Control Network Access Using Your Router
One of the best ways to block screen mirroring on all devices in your home or office is by controlling access at the router level. Since most screen mirroring technologies (like Miracast, AirPlay, and Google Cast) rely on devices being able to communicate over a shared Wi-Fi network, managing the network can effectively prevent these devices from connecting.
1) Log Into Your Router’s Admin Panel:
To start, you'll need to access the settings of your router. Typically, this can be done by typing the router's IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or something similar) into your browser's address bar. If you're unsure of your router’s IP address, check the label on the back of the router or refer to the manual.
2) Disable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play):
UPnP is a feature that allows devices to easily find and connect to each other over the same network. Unfortunately, it also enables screen mirroring protocols like Miracast and AirPlay to automatically detect devices and connect without user intervention.
To block these auto-discovery features, disable UPnP in your router’s settings. This will stop devices from being able to “find” each other to initiate screen mirroring.
In the admin panel, look for UPnP under the Advanced Settings or LAN Settings section.
Disable it, then save the changes.
3) Block Specific Ports or Protocols:
Many screen mirroring protocols operate on specific ports or use certain communication methods that can be blocked at the router level. For example:
- Miracast often uses Wi-Fi Direct, which may operate over specific ports, and blocking these ports could prevent Miracast connections.
- AirPlay communicates over the Bonjour protocol, which uses port 5353.
Depending on your router’s settings, you can block these specific ports or protocols. This will prevent devices from establishing communication for screen mirroring.
- Go to Firewall or Access Control settings in the admin panel.
- Manually block port 5353 for AirPlay and other related ports used by protocols like Miracast or Google Cast.
4) Disable Multicast:
Multicast is a communication method used by screen mirroring protocols to allow multiple devices to listen for a connection request at the same time. Disabling multicast on your router will stop devices from broadcasting to each other over the network.
In your router’s settings, look for Multicast options and turn them off.
Save the settings to ensure that screen mirroring broadcasts are blocked.
5) Create a Guest Network:
Another way to control screen mirroring is to create a guest network on your router. By isolating your personal devices from others, you prevent unauthorized devices from being able to connect to your main network and initiate screen mirroring.
- In the router’s settings, enable Guest Network mode.
- Set it up with a strong password and restrict access to internal resources (such as your main network or device sharing).
- Connect only trusted devices to your main network and keep other devices on the guest network to prevent them from attempting to mirror your screen.
Advanced Tips to Ensure Your Devices Stay Safe
While the basic steps above will help you block screen mirroring on most devices, there are a few extra measures you can take to ensure your privacy is locked down:
- Use Strong Passwords:
For devices that allow screen mirroring or casting (such as smart TVs or other peripherals), always use a strong, unique password to block unauthorized access.
- Disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi:
If you're in a public space and don't need mirroring, turn off your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. This can prevent nearby devices from detecting and connecting to your screen.
- Keep Your Software Up-to-Date:
Regular software updates can help patch any vulnerabilities that may allow unauthorized mirroring connections.
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