Android 6.0 Marshmallow Screen Mirror: How to Use
To use screen mirroring on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, open the Quick Settings panel by swiping down from the top of the screen, tap the “Cast� icon, and select the wireless display or Chromecast device you want to mirror to. If your phone and TV both support Miracast, you can mirror without any extra hardware; otherwise, you’ll need a Chromecast or a similar receiver. This guide explains the exact steps, what to do when the Cast option is missing, and how to fix common connection problems.
What Screen Mirroring Means on Marshmallow
Screen mirroring (also called wireless display or Miracast) sends your phone’s entire screen—including apps, photos, and videos—to a TV or monitor in real time. Unlike casting a specific video from an app like YouTube, mirroring duplicates everything on your display. On Android 6.0, this feature is built into the system as “Cast,� and it appears in the Quick Settings panel as a rectangular icon with a Wi‑Fi-like symbol in the corner.
Marshmallow supports two main mirroring standards:
- Miracast: A peer-to-peer standard that works without a router. Both the phone and the display must support Miracast. Many smart TVs and streaming sticks (like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and some Windows laptops) include it.
- Google Cast: Used by Chromecast and many Android TV devices. This requires both the phone and the receiver to be on the same Wi‑Fi network. Unlike Miracast, Google Cast is designed for app-by-app casting, but Marshmallow’s “Cast� menu also lets you mirror the entire screen to a Chromecast.
How to Mirror Your Screen: Step by Step
- Make sure your TV or receiver is on and set to the correct input (e.g., HDMI for Chromecast).
- If you’re using a Chromecast or Android TV, connect both the phone and the receiver to the same Wi‑Fi network.
- On your Marshmallow phone, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification shade.
- Swipe down again to reveal the full Quick Settings grid. Look for the “Cast� tile. If you don’t see it, tap the pencil/edit icon to add it from the available tiles.
- Tap “Cast.� The phone will scan for available devices.
- Tap the name of your TV, Chromecast, or Miracast receiver. The screen will go blank for a moment, then your phone’s display appears on the TV.
If you want to stop mirroring, open Quick Settings again and tap the Cast tile, then tap “Disconnect.�
What to Do If the Cast Option Is Missing
Some phone manufacturers remove or hide the Cast tile in Marshmallow. For example, Samsung devices often use “Smart View� instead, which works similarly but is located in a different menu. On many Samsung phones running Marshmallow, you can find it by swiping down from the top and tapping “Smart View� (or by going to Settings > Connections > Screen Mirroring).
If your phone is stock Android and the Cast tile is not in the Quick Settings, try these steps:
- Go to Settings > Display > Cast (the exact path may vary by manufacturer).
- Check if your phone supports Miracast. Not all Marshmallow phones do—some budget models lack the required hardware certification.
- If you’re using a Chromecast, make sure the Google Home app is installed and the Chromecast is set up on the same network.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
No devices found. This is the most frequent issue. For Miracast, ensure your TV has Miracast enabled (often under Network or Screen Mirroring settings). For Chromecast, verify both devices are on the same Wi‑Fi band (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz) and that the network doesn’t have “AP isolation� enabled, which blocks device-to-device communication.
Connection drops after a few seconds. This often happens with Miracast when the router is too far away or there’s interference. Move the phone and TV closer together, or try using a 5 GHz band if available. Some routers also have a “multicast� setting that can be toggled to improve stability.
Audio is out of sync. On Marshmallow, this is usually a Miracast issue. Try restarting both the phone and the TV, and make sure no other devices are streaming heavily on the same network.
Screen is black or flickering. This can happen when the TV doesn’t support the phone’s resolution. Some phones allow you to change the screen resolution in Settings > Display; lowering it may help. Also, check that the HDMI cable (if using a Miracast adapter) is securely connected.
Miracast vs. Chromecast: Which One Should You Use?
The choice depends on your hardware and what you want to do.
- Miracast is best if you have a Miracast-enabled TV or a dedicated Miracast adapter (like the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter). It doesn’t require Wi‑Fi, so it works in hotel rooms or places without internet. However, it can be finicky and often has higher latency.
- Chromecast is more reliable for streaming video from apps like Netflix and YouTube because it uses the phone as a remote, not a mirror. The screen-mirroring mode works well for presentations or showing photos, but it may be slightly delayed for gaming.
If you already have a smart TV, check its manual to see which standard it supports. Many newer TVs support both, but older ones may only support one.
Privacy and Battery Considerations
Screen mirroring broadcasts everything on your phone, including notifications, messages, and any sensitive information. Before you start mirroring, turn off notifications or enable “Do Not Disturb� to avoid embarrassing or private content appearing on the TV. Also, be aware that anyone in the room can see your screen, so avoid opening banking apps or entering passwords while mirroring.
Mirroring is battery-intensive. On Marshmallow, the screen stays on and the Wi‑Fi radio works continuously, which can drain your battery quickly. If you’re giving a long presentation, plug the phone into a charger before you start.
Alternatives to Built-in Screen Mirroring
If the built-in Cast feature isn’t working, or you need more control, there are third-party apps on the Play Store that provide mirroring. Apps like “ApowerMirror� or “LetsView� work over Wi‑Fi and can mirror to a PC or another phone. These apps often require installing a companion app on the receiving device. They can be useful if your TV doesn’t support Miracast or Chromecast, but they may include ads or require a subscription for full features.
Another alternative is to use a wired connection. Some phones support MHL or SlimPort, which let you connect directly to an HDMI port via a cable. This gives a stable, zero-lag connection, but it requires a compatible phone and adapter, and not all Marshmallow phones support it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn’t my Marshmallow phone have a Cast option? Some manufacturers (like Samsung, LG, and Huawei) remove the stock Cast tile and replace it with their own mirroring feature. On Samsung, look for “Smart View� in the Quick Settings. On LG, it might be called “Screen Sharing.� If your phone is stock Android and the tile is missing, check Settings > Display > Cast—if it’s not there, your phone may not support Miracast.
Can I mirror to a TV that doesn’t support Miracast or Chromecast? Yes, but you’ll need an external receiver. A Miracast adapter plugs into an HDMI port and acts as a receiver. A Chromecast also plugs into HDMI and works with the Google Cast protocol. Both are inexpensive and widely available.
Why is the screen mirroring laggy? Lag is common with Miracast, especially on older hardware. The phone encodes the video, sends it over Wi‑Fi, and the TV decodes it—all in real time. If your router is far away or there’s interference, the delay increases. For gaming or video calls, a wired connection or a Chromecast (which uses a more efficient protocol) may work better.
Does screen mirroring use mobile data? No. Miracast creates a direct connection between the phone and the TV, so it doesn’t use data. Chromecast screen mirroring uses your Wi‑Fi network, but not your mobile data plan. However, if you’re streaming content from the internet (like a video), that content uses data as usual.
Can I mirror to a Windows PC? Yes, if your PC supports Miracast (most Windows 10 laptops do). On the PC, open the Action Center and click “Connect� or “Project� to enable wireless display reception. Then on your phone, open Cast and select the PC. If your PC doesn’t support Miracast, you can use a third-party app like AirDroid or ApowerMirror.
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