ScreenMirror lets you share an Android screen with a PC on the same local network. A browser provides view-only access, while an approved ScreenMirror Desktop Viewer can request remote control and receive files selected by the Android user.
1. Requirements
- An Android device with ScreenMirror installed.
- A PC connected to the same trusted Wi-Fi or local network.
- A modern PC browser for view-only presentation, or ScreenMirror Desktop Viewer for viewing and remote control.
- Permission to capture the Android screen when requested by Android.
- Android Accessibility enabled only when remote control is required.
2. Quick Start: View-Only Screen Sharing
- Connect the Android device and PC to the same local network.
- Open ScreenMirror on Android.
- Choose the required stream quality. Free mode supports Normal quality.
- Tap Start Screen Share.
- Approve Android’s screen-capture prompt.
- ScreenMirror displays a temporary six-digit Session PIN and presentation URL.
- On the PC, open the displayed presentation URL or enter the Device IP and Session PIN in ScreenMirror Desktop Viewer.
The browser presentation URL has this general format: http://DEVICE-IP:8080/present?pin=SESSION-PIN
The browser presentation is always view-only. Screen sharing can continue when ScreenMirror Accessibility is off.
3. Using ScreenMirror Desktop Viewer
- Open ScreenMirror Desktop Viewer on the PC.
- Enter the Android device IP address.
- Enter the current Session PIN.
- Confirm the Stream URL shown by the viewer.
- Click Start to open the Android screen.
- Use Open, Close, or Fullscreen to manage the mirror window.
- Click Stop when PC viewing is no longer needed.
A Session PIN is temporary. It becomes invalid when screen sharing stops, the session ends, or ScreenMirror exits.
4. Enabling Remote Control
Enable Accessibility on Android
- In ScreenMirror, tap Accessibility | Open Accessibility Settings.
- Read the Accessibility Disclosure & Consent dialog.
- Tap Agree and Continue.
- In Android Accessibility Settings, open ScreenMirror and turn the service on.
- Return to ScreenMirror.
Approve the PC
- Start screen sharing and PC viewing.
- In Desktop Viewer, click Request Remote Control.
- Check the computer name and IP address shown on the Android approval dialog.
- Tap Allow only if the request is from your trusted PC.
- Desktop Viewer should show Remote Control Approved.
After approval, Desktop Viewer can perform:
- Tap, long press, and swipe gestures.
- Keyboard text input and backspace.
- Back, Home, and Recent Android actions.
5. Stopping Remote Control
| Option | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Revoke Only | Stops the approved PC’s remote control but keeps ScreenMirror Accessibility enabled. | Use when you may request remote control again shortly. |
| Revoke & Disable | Stops remote control and turns ScreenMirror Accessibility off. | Use when remote control is finished or before opening a security-sensitive app. |
If Accessibility is turned off manually while a PC remains approved, streaming continues in view-only mode. When the service is enabled again, the approved Desktop Viewer may resume remote control without another approval request during the same valid session.
6. Closing ScreenMirror Safely
- Tap Exit ScreenMirror.
- Read the confirmation dialog.
- Tap Exit & Disable.
This action:
- Stops screen sharing and invalidates the Session PIN.
- Revokes the active remote-control authorization.
- Stops an active file transfer.
- Turns ScreenMirror Accessibility off.
- Closes ScreenMirror completely.
7. File Transfer to the PC
- Start screen sharing and connect ScreenMirror Desktop Viewer.
- On Android, tap File Transfer | Choose Files for PC.
- Select one or more files with Android’s system file picker.
- Review the confirmation dialog and tap Transfer to PC.
- The selected files are saved to Desktop Viewer’s download folder.
Free mode allows two successfully completed files per screen-sharing session. Cancelling the picker or confirmation does not reduce the quota. A cancelled or failed transfer does not count as a completed file.
Files selected from Google Drive or another cloud document provider may require preparation before transfer progress begins. Keep ScreenMirror open and wait for the provider to finish preparing the file.
Use Cancel Download to stop only the active transfer. Use Revoke Access when you also want to remove the connected PC’s control permission.
8. Banking and Security-Sensitive Apps
Some banking, payment, authentication, enterprise, or other security-sensitive apps may display a warning or restrict access while a third-party Accessibility service is enabled. In some cases, an app may apply its own restrictions while screen-sharing or remote-control software is installed.
ScreenMirror does not bypass, modify, or interfere with those protections. The other app or service provider decides and enforces its own security policy.
9. Free Mode Limits
- Screen-sharing sessions are limited to 10 minutes.
- Normal stream quality is available.
- Up to two successfully completed file transfers are available per session.
- The app displays the remaining file allowance and session status.
When the free session ends, start a new screen-sharing session to generate a new temporary Session PIN.
10. Troubleshooting
| Problem or status | Recommended action |
|---|---|
| The browser or Desktop Viewer cannot connect. | Confirm that both devices use the same reachable local network, verify the Android IP address and current PIN, and allow ScreenMirror/Desktop Viewer through the PC firewall. Some routers isolate Wi-Fi devices from wired LAN devices even when both connect to the same router. See Why can’t my phone and PC connect when they use the same router? |
| “Accessibility is OFF on the phone.” | Streaming can continue view-only. To use remote control, enable ScreenMirror in Android Accessibility Settings and request access again if required. |
| “Another controller is already active.” | On Android, revoke the current controller before approving another Desktop Viewer. |
| “Too many remote-control requests.” | Wait for the displayed cooldown period, then make one new request. |
| Accessibility is enabled but does not respond. | Open Android Accessibility Settings, turn ScreenMirror off and on again, return to the app, and retry. |
| Remote buttons, mouse, or keyboard do not work. | Confirm Desktop Viewer shows Remote Control Approved, Accessibility is on, and the same sharing session is still active. |
| File transfer takes time before progress appears. | If the file comes from Google Drive or another cloud provider, wait while Android prepares it. Do not close ScreenMirror during preparation. |
| The Session PIN no longer works. | Start a new screen-sharing session and use the newly generated PIN. |
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t my phone and PC connect when they use the same router?
Connecting both devices to the same router does not always mean that they can communicate with each other. Some routers separate Wi-Fi clients from devices connected by Ethernet cable. Guest Wi-Fi, AP Isolation, Client Isolation, Device Isolation, a blocked LAN-to-WLAN setting, or separate VLANs and subnets can also prevent local device-to-device traffic. Both devices may still have internet access while ScreenMirror cannot connect between them.
Try the following:
- Do not connect the phone to a Guest Wi-Fi network.
- In the router settings, disable AP Isolation, Client Isolation, Device Isolation, or Wireless Isolation if one of these options is enabled.
- Make sure LAN-to-WLAN communication is allowed and both devices are on the same local subnet or VLAN.
- If the PC is connected by Ethernet, temporarily connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as the phone. A built-in or USB Wi-Fi adapter can be used.
- Retry using the current Device IP and Session PIN shown by ScreenMirror.
Does screen sharing require Accessibility?
No. View-only sharing to a browser or Desktop Viewer works without Accessibility. Accessibility is required only when the user wants remote control.
Can a browser remotely control the Android device?
No. Browser presentation is view-only. Remote control is available only through an approved ScreenMirror Desktop Viewer.
Does the Session PIN grant remote control?
No. The PIN protects access to the current presentation and stream. Remote control requires a separate request from Desktop Viewer and explicit approval on Android.
Does ScreenMirror upload my screen or files to Shelwat?
No. Screen, control, and selected-file traffic is exchanged locally between the Android device and the chosen PC. ScreenMirror does not upload this content to a Shelwat cloud server.
Why does a banking or security app show a warning?
Some apps enforce their own restrictions when Accessibility or screen-sharing software is present. Exit ScreenMirror with Exit & Disable first. If the restriction remains, follow the sensitive app provider’s instructions or uninstall ScreenMirror.
Should I use Revoke Only or Revoke & Disable?
Use Revoke Only for a short pause when remote control may be requested again. Use Revoke & Disable when you are finished or before opening a security-sensitive app.
What is the safest way to close ScreenMirror?
Tap Exit ScreenMirror and confirm Exit & Disable. This ends the session, invalidates the PIN and control authorization, turns Accessibility off, and closes the app.
12. Support and Related Pages
When requesting support, include the Android version, ScreenMirror version, Desktop Viewer version, and the exact status message shown by the app. Do not send an active Session PIN or private screen content.