You’ve got a massive, gorgeous OLED TV. You’ve got the most powerful console Sony has ever built. Naturally, you’d assume that beaming your phone screen or your laptop onto that display via the console would be a piece of cake. But honestly, if you’ve spent the last twenty minutes digging through the PS5 settings menu looking for a "Screen Mirroring" button, I’ve got some bad news. It isn’t there.
Sony is incredibly picky about what it lets onto its hardware.
Unlike a Roku or a modern smart TV, the PlayStation 5 does not support native AirPlay, Miracast, or Chromecast input. It’s a frustrating wall. You want to show your friends a funny TikTok or a vacation photo on the big screen, but the console acts like your phone doesn't exist. However, "not supported" isn't the same as "impossible."
If you're willing to use a few workarounds—some of which are surprisingly clever—you can actually make it happen.
The Secret Browser Method (Android & PC)
The most reliable way to screen mirror on PS5 involves a hidden feature: the web browser. Technically, the PS5 doesn’t have a "user-facing" browser you can just click on from the home screen. Sony hid it to prevent security exploits. But everyone knows the workaround by now.
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Basically, you send a link like google.com to a friend in a PSN message. When you click that link in your own chat log, the browser springs to life.
For screen mirroring, people have been using a service called AirDroid Cast. It’s a bit of a "hacker" vibe, but it works. You open the PS5 browser using the message trick, navigate to the AirDroid Web URL, and then scan a QR code with your phone.
Suddenly, your phone screen is sitting right there on your TV. It’s not perfect—the frame rate can be a bit choppy—but for showing off photos or a non-copyrighted video, it gets the job done. Just don't expect to play a high-speed mobile game like Genshin Impact this way. The lag will drive you crazy.
Why You Can’t Just "AirPlay" to a PS5
If you’re an iPhone user, you’ve probably noticed that the PS5 doesn't show up in your AirPlay list. This isn't a glitch. Sony and Apple simply haven't made a deal to integrate the tech.
There are third-party apps on the App Store that claim to "Mirror to PS5," like Replica or AirScreen. Be careful here. Most of these apps aren't actually sending data to the PS5 itself. Instead, they are trying to find a way to use the PS5's internal DLNA player or the hidden browser.
Sometimes they work; often they don't. Honestly, most of them just want to charge you a $5.99 weekly subscription for something you can do yourself with a bit of patience.
The Reverse Mirroring: Remote Play
It’s worth mentioning that while you can't easily mirror to the PS5, you can mirror from it very easily. PS Remote Play is Sony's official golden child.
If you want to see your PS5 screen on your phone, tablet, or Mac, this is the way. You can even use a DualSense controller via Bluetooth. It’s weird how Sony makes it so easy to move the video one way, but builds a literal fortress to prevent it from going the other.
Can You Use the PS5 "Second Screen" App?
You might see people talking about the PlayStation Second Screen app. Save yourself the download. That app was designed primarily for the PS4 to act as a keyboard or a map for specific games.
For the PS5, it’s basically a legacy tool. It won't help you mirror your phone screen. If you're looking for an official way to interact with your console from your phone, the PlayStation App is the only one that matters in 2026. It lets you manage storage, buy games, and join parties, but screen mirroring is still missing from the feature list.
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Hardware Workarounds: The "No-Lag" Way
If the browser trick feels too "janky" for you, there is a hardware solution. It’s not elegant, but it is 100% reliable.
I’m talking about a physical HDMI adapter. If you have a USB-C to HDMI cable, you can plug your phone directly into a second HDMI port on your TV.
"But wait," you might say, "I want it to go through the PS5."
The only way to do that is with a Capture Card. If you have an Elgato or a similar device connected to a PC, you can plug your phone into the capture card, then run the preview on your monitor where your PS5 is also hooked up. This is a lot of work just to see a photo, but for streamers who need to show mobile content during a PS5 broadcast, it’s the professional standard.
What about Chromecast?
In late 2023 and throughout 2024, Sony actually started opening up a bit more. They added the ability to stream PS5 games to Chromecast with Google TV via the Remote Play app.
But again, this is the "wrong" direction for most people. You can't cast a Chrome tab from your laptop to the PS5. The console just doesn't act as a receiver. It’s a sender.
Better Alternatives for Media
If your goal is just to watch movies or listen to music, don't bother mirroring. The PS5 native apps are significantly better.
- Spotify/Apple Music: These run in the background while you play. Mirroring audio from your phone would sound worse and probably lag.
- Plex: If you have a library of movies on your computer, the Plex app on PS5 is fantastic. No mirroring required.
- YouTube: Just use the "Link with TV Code" feature inside the YouTube app. It’s faster and handles 4K way better than any mirroring workaround.
Summary of the Current State
Let's be real: screen mirroring on PS5 is a mess because Sony wants it to be. They want you in their ecosystem, using their apps.
If you absolutely must do it, use the AirDroid Cast via the hidden browser method. It’s the only way that doesn't require buying extra cables or subscriptions. Just open a message, send a link to google.com, click it, and navigate to the web-based casting site.
For most people, though, checking if your TV has AirPlay or Chromecast built-in is the smarter move. Most TVs made in the last five years have these features natively. You don't actually need the PS5 to be the middleman.
Next Steps for You
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If you're ready to try the browser trick, start by opening your Game Base on the PS5. Pick a friend who won't mind a random link, and send them "www.google.com". Once you click that, you're officially in the "unsupported" web world of the PlayStation 5. From there, you can head to a web-casting site and see if your home Wi-Fi is strong enough to handle the stream.