How to Know If Screen Mirroring Is On: Easy Steps to Check

Picture this: You’re trying to stream your favorite movie on a smart TV, but your device just won’t cooperate. What's the issue? Why your screen isn't displaying the way you expect? Screen mirroring might be on somewhere.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into how to know if screen mirroring is on help you regain control of your device.

How Screen Mirroring Works, Anyway?

Before we get into the “how-to” part, let’s quickly break down how screen mirroring works.

There are two key types of screen mirroring: wired and wireless.

• Wired mirroring is done using HDMI cables or similar connectors.
• Wireless mirroring relies on Wi-Fi and protocols like AirPlay, Miracast, or Chromecast.

The first method is tangible and visible, and can easily cut off screen sharing. Therefore, relatively speaking, it's not that difficult to know compared to wireless screen mirroring.

And as for wireless mirroring, a network is needed, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This will bring potential risks, especially cyber attacks or your phone being remotely controlled and further lead to data leaks.

This concern is why precautions must be taken against the screen mirroring function.

How to Know if Screen Mirroring Is On?

Here are a few quick ways to check.

1Check Screen Mirroring App Status

It's essential to first verify whether the screen mirroring software is actively running on your device.

For Android Devices:

1) Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification bar.
2) Look for a "Cast" or "Smart View" icon. If it's active, this means your device is currently screen mirroring to another screen. The icon might look like a TV or a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol.
3) If you don’t see the icon, go to Settings > Connections > Cast (on newer Android versions, it may be labeled as "Smart View").
4) If you find that Cast or Smart View is enabled, it should list the connected device (such as your TV or streaming device) under the active connections.
5) If it’s turned on but not showing the expected screen on the TV, it might be a software bug or connection issue.

For iPhone or iPad:

1) Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open the Control Center.
2) Look for the AirPlay or Screen Mirroring button. If it’s active, it will show the name of the device you're mirroring to (for example, your Apple TV or smart TV).
3) Alternatively, if you're in an app that supports mirroring (like Photos or YouTube), you can tap on the AirPlay icon inside the app. This will also show you the current mirroring status.
4) If you’re not sure whether the software is running in the background, you can also go into Settings > AirPlay & Handoff and check whether the device is available for mirroring.

2Check App Activity

By examining the activity of these apps in your device’s settings, you can identify whether any screen mirroring-related activity is currently taking place.

Check App Activity on Android Devices:

• Recent Apps
• Google Play Store > Your profile icon > Manage Apps & Device > Manage > View Last Used Apps
• Settings > Battery
• Notifications

Check App Activity on iPhone:

Settings > Battery > Show Activity

Detecting app-based screen mirroring, you can utilize the functionality of the device itself. This is the easiest and most effective way. However, in some cases, you may use web-based casting tools. It's more difficult to notice, as this type of screen casting is remote connected and usually save settings for convenient recasting. To detect it, you can use a third-party app to help.

3Use Third-Party Apps

Some network monitoring software to help track device performance.

• Fing
• LogicMonitor
• DataFlow
• Task Manager
• Activity Monitor

Using third-party apps to detect screen mirroring can give you a deeper, more detailed look into the mirroring process, especially when built-in methods don’t provide the clarity you need.

How to Make Sure Your Screen Mirroring Is Off?

Screen mirroring relies highly on the network. So, if you turn off all wifi and bluetooth, the sharing will end.

And, most casting apps require manual confirmation to initiate screen mirroring again.