How to Capture Phone Screen on OBS: 3 Ways (Android/iOS)

In this article, you will learn three methods to capture phone screen on OBS, whether you're using Android or iPhone.

Method 1: Use Native Casting Feature to Share Phone Screen to OBS

If both your mobile phone and laptop meet the compatibilities for using native casting feature, then it's very simpley to make them being capture in OBS.

For Android, you should have a Windows device with Miracast technology built in.

For iPhone, it best to use the native feature on Mac devices running 10.0+.

For Android:capture Android screen on OBS

Step 1. Enable Wireless Display on your Windows PC.

You can first search in the Start menu. If there is none, follow these:

a. Search Add an optional feature; or Optional Features > Add a feature.

b. Search Wireless Display > tick it and install.

(Note: Here uses Win 10 as an example. If you're using Win 11, steps may be slightly different.)

Step 2. Go to Windows' Settings > System > Projecting to this PC.

In this menu, you can manage the preferences for casting.

If your computer does not support Miracast (means this method is unavailable for you), you will see this picture in Projecting to this PC.

Step 3. Search Connect and then launch the app.

Step 4. On your Android phone, connect to the same WiFi as your computer.

Step 5. Swipe down the screen, and then look for a button called "Cast", "Screen Mirroring", or "Smart View." Tap it.

Step 6. When a list appears, select your computer name.

The casting process will start at once. And you can see your phone screen in Connect app.

Step 7. Open OBS > Sources > click + > select Display Capture or Window Capture.

Step 8. As the properties window occur, go with the further settings.

After setting, you should see your Android phone screen showing in OBS.

For iOS:capture iPhone screen on OBS

Step 1. Use a Lightning to USB cable to connect your iPhone to your Mac. 

Step 2. Trust this device in your iPhone.

Step 3. On your Mac, launch QuickTime Player > File > New Movie Recording.

Step 4. When the recording window shows up, open the list and select your iPhone.

The iPhone screen can now be seen on your Mac.

Step 5. Open OBS > Sources > Add capture sources.

Step 6. Select macOS Screen Capture > drop down Method > choose Window Capture (only iPhone screen visible), or Display Capture (see the entire device screen).

Alternative: select Video Capture Device > drop down Device > select the iPhone name.

However, this option require you to intall a 3rd party app to turn iPhone as a webcam source. If not, OBS cannot directly detect iPhone in Device.

Method 2: Use Screen Mirroring App for OBS Phone Screen Capture

Screen mirroring apps like Kingshiper can be used for both Android and iPhone devices. Just find one from the app store and you capture phone screen in OBS across all device operating systems.

With Kingshiper Screen Mirroring, you can cast Android and iPhone to Windows PC at the same time. See how to use it.

Step 1. Install Kingshiper on your PC and Android phone.

iOS devices do not need an app to function as a sender.

Step 2. All your devices should use the same network.

Step 3. Connect your phones to the computer.

● Android: open the Kingshiper app > tap the PC name in Connection> grant the permission.

● iPhone: open Control Center > tap Screen Mirroring > select the PC name from the list.

Now all mobile phone are being mirrored to your computer. Like this.

Step 4. Open OBS. Then add two capture sources

a. Selec Window Capture > name it "for android" > select the Android phone > OK.

b. Create another Window Capture > name it "for iphone" > select the iPhone device > OK.

Step 5. Both Android and iPhone device are captured in OBS now.

ExplanationWhy use a screen mirroring app with OBS for phone screen capture?

Phones (Android or iPhone) don’t natively expose their screens or cameras as standard video input over USB or Wi-Fi.

Thus, OBS cannot recognize a phone screen directly unless a bridge is used.

A screen mirroring app acts as the middleman, making your phone screen visible to your computer so OBS can capture it.

Method 3: Use Scrcpy Freely

This method only support Android phone. And you need a USB cable to connect the phone to your computer.

Step 1. Download scrcpy from the official GitHub: github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy.

Step 2. Enable USB debugging on Android.

Settings > About phone > Tap Build number 7 times > Developer options > Turn on USB debugging.

Step 3. Plug in your phone via USB to the computer. Then allow USB debugging.

Step 4. Double click scrcpy to run it.

Your phone screen will appear in a window once the tool is activated.

Step 5. Open OBS Studio > Click the + in the Sources panel.

Step 6. Choose Window Capture and then select scrcpy from the list.