Screen mirroring and casting are often confused because both let you show content from one device on another screen. But they work differently, and knowing the difference helps explain what works with which AirServer product.


Screen mirroring

Screen mirroring shows your whole screen on another display in real time, so whatever you do on the sending device also appears on the receiver. See "What is screen mirroring?" for more.


Casting

Casting usually sends specific content to another device instead of showing your whole screen. For example, when you cast a YouTube video from your phone to a TV, the phone acts like a remote control and the receiver plays the video.

Casting is usually started from inside an app. Each app decides whether to support casting, and support can depend on the device, operating system, receiver, and content provider.


For AirServer, the two most relevant types of media casting are:

  • Google Cast app casting, used by apps such as YouTube, Spotify, and many other apps that show the Cast button.
  • AirPlay media streaming, used on iPhone, iPad, and Mac in Apple apps and many third-party apps through the AirPlay button.


The main differences

  • What is sent: Screen mirroring sends your screen. Casting sends selected content.
  • Where the content plays: With mirroring, the sending device plays the content and the receiver shows a copy of the screen. With app-based casting, the receiver plays the content directly, while the sending device controls playback.
  • Which apps work: Mirroring works with most apps and screen activity. Casting only works in apps that specifically support it.
  • What others may see: Mirroring can show notifications, app switching, and anything else on your screen. Casting usually shows only the selected content.


What AirServer supports

  • AirServer Connect supports:
    • Screen mirroring via AirPlay, Google Cast, and Miracast
    • Media casting via AirPlay and Google Cast (the Cast button in supported apps)
  • AirServer software versions support:
    • Screen mirroring via AirPlay, Google Cast, and Miracast
    • Media casting via AirPlay, in Apple apps and third-party apps that expose the AirPlay button. (Google Cast media casting from apps using the Cast button is not supported).


Some apps and streaming services use DRM or other restrictions that can prevent content from playing on third-party receivers. If a specific app does not cast or stream to AirServer, this is often the reason.