Mirror your device/computer screen to projector
Once you have your projector, before setting it up, connect it to the computer/device you will be projecting from.
“Mirroring screen” is also called “Duplicate”, or screen sharing, and allows projector to show what is displayed on your computer/or device screen. Then you can open patterns on your computer or device and they will also show up in the projected image.
Connection between projector and computer/device can be done either by HDMI cable, by the wireless feature available on many mini projectors, or by a Chromecast or other casting device (Roku or Apple TV for example) which connects to projector’s HDMI port and makes any projector wireless.
The steps for each type of connection are listed here:
Connecting projector to device/computer via HDMI cable
Connecting by HDMI cable is simplest and most reliable option. It works for computers, or mobile devices (phones or tablets), although some may need an HDMI cable or adaptor that connects to port on their device (for example USB C to HDMI cable, Lightning to HDMI cable, or mini-display/Thunderbolt adaptor for HDMI cable). More info about ports for connecting computer/device to projector in: https://bit.ly/pfs-portsguide.
Once you have projector and computer/device connected by HDMI cable, follow these steps to mirror your screen:
1. Make sure Source menu on projector is set to HDMI. This will be different method on different projectors. On Epson projectors, press source button on projector or remote. On mini projectors, choose HDMI in the main menu screen:
2. Mirror device, with these settings:
- On Windows, press Windows key and P, and select Duplicate in the panel that appears on right side of screen.
- On Mac, mirroring usually happens automatically. If it doesn’t go in System Preferences > Displays, and set projector to Mirror mode.
- On mobile devices, HDMI cable will automatically mirror device screen to projector (once projector source is on HDMI) (Exception: Google phones will not work natively with HDMI cable, they need HDMI port hub to mirror projection, more info here.)
Connecting projector to device/computer via wireless capabilities of mini projector
For wireless connections in mini projectors that have that option, they can connect to most mobile devices and computers with the following steps. Wireless capabilities of projectors can often be flaky/unreliable, especially if wifi router is far from projector. Connecting by cable or chromecast/apple tv or other casting device, is more reliable if problems occur with wireless feature of projector.
To connect via wireless capability of projector, first follow instructions in manual to connect the projector to your home wifi network. On the Yoton projector, the screen to type the password has an odd looking enter button with an arrow. Select that button after typing the password to your wifi network.
Make sure you are connecting projector to same network as you will be using with your device/computer, not a different band or variation on the network name. Some older projectors will not work on 5ghz band of a router, unless they were sold as “5G”.
The projector instructions will only explain how to connect to mobile devices, but the wireless connection works with Chromebooks or computers as well.
One some projectors you may first need to select “Screen Mirroring” or “Cast” button on main projector menu before the following steps:
For iPhone or iPads: select “iOSCast” or “iOS Connect” or similar button. Then access control centre on iPhone/iPad (swipe diagonally down from upper right corner) and select Screen Mirroring button.
For Chromebooks or Windows, select “Miracast” or “Android” or similar button.
For Macs: select “iOSCast” or “iOS Connect” or similar button. Then look for AirPlay (TV icon) in top menu bar towards the right side, click it and then select projector (may be called “Z-Cast” or “Y3” or similar).
Windows 10/11 setup: Press Miracast/Android button on projector remote or button in projector menu, then press Windows Key and K (think of K for “Cast”). Then in the panel that comes up, select the projector, it may have name such as “Z-Cast”. (If Windows key and K doesn’t bring up panel, your computer may be older and not have wireless display capability.)
Connecting projector wirelessly to device/computer via Chromecast device
Any projector can be made wireless by adding a Chromecast device (any version, so older/cheaper versions are best) to the projector’s HDMI port. The Chromecast gets power by plugging into the USB port of the projector.
Using a Chromecast works well with Windows and Mac computers, or with Android devices.
With iPads or iPhones, you need a paid app to allow screen mirroring. For these iOS devices, only and Apple TV added to projector can mirror screen wirelessly without a separate paid app. Older, much cheaper, versions of Apple TV will work for our needs, and eBay and other online or local second hand marketplaces are good places to find these older Apple TV devices cheaply.
Steps to Screen Mirror with a Chromecast
- You set up the Chromecast on your home wifi network via Google Home app on a mobile device (can’t be done on a computer).
- Then you screen mirror your computer to the projector, by opening Chrome browser, and using the “Cast” option in the menu. Scroll all the way down to “Save and Share”, click that and you will see “Cast”. Right click on screen is another way to access “Cast” option.
- In the Cast menu, under “Sources” change from Cast Tab to Cast Screen. Then select your Chromecast under Devices. This order is very important. You can’t switch from casting tab to casting desktop while it is casting. You need to activate device after choosing Cast Screen.
- When “Casting Screen”, you have to accept the confirmation message to allow screen mirroring. Occasionally, that popup window is blocked – check near your address bar to allow that popup.
Connecting projector wireless to device/computer via other casting devices (Firestick, Roku, Anycast, Apple TV, etc.)
Follow instructions provided with casting device. They will work with any projector with HDMI port, but may not work with all devices/computers.