How to Set Up Scrcpy on Windows, Mac & Linux

A few months ago my phone screen cracked in the corner, and tapping near the edge became a gamble. I did not want to spend money on a repair right away, so I looked for a way to control the phone from my computer. That is how I found Scrcpy, a free tool that mirrors an Android screen to a PC and lets you control it with a mouse and keyboard.

If you want a second reference as you follow along, scrcpy.pro has a clear Scrcpy setup guide covering Windows, Mac, and Linux, with wireless steps, a commands table, and fixes for common errors. The site is built around this free, open-source tool, so it knows the usual snags. Here is my own walkthrough, written for someone doing this for the first time.

What you need before you start

Scrcpy needs an Android phone running Android 5.0 or higher. You also need a computer with Windows, macOS, or Linux and a USB cable that carries data, not just power. You do not need root access, and you do not install anything on the phone.

Audio forwarding is a bonus feature that needs Android 11 or newer. If your phone is older, video mirroring still works fine. Keep your phone unlocked while you connect it the first time.

Turn on USB debugging

This step is the same on every computer. Open Settings on your phone and tap About Phone. Tap Build Number seven times until a message says you are now a developer.

Go back to Settings and open Developer Options. Switch on USB Debugging. If you have a Xiaomi phone, also turn on the second option called USB Debugging (Security Settings), then restart the phone. Menu names change a little between brands, so search the settings for “build number” if you get lost.

Windows

Windows is the easiest of the three because the download already includes ADB, the tool that talks to your phone. Here is the process:

1. Go to the official Scrcpy page on GitHub, under Genymobile.
2. Download the latest Windows ZIP file.
3. Extract the folder anywhere you like.
4. Plug in your phone and tap Allow on the debugging prompt.
5. Open a terminal inside the extracted folder.
6. Type scrcpy and press Enter.

Do not double-click the scrcpy.exe file. If something goes wrong, the window closes before you can read the error. Running it from a terminal keeps the message on screen, which makes fixing problems much easier.

macOS

On a Mac, I use Homebrew, a package manager that installs tools with one command. If you do not have it, copy the install line from brew.sh and paste it into Terminal. Then run this:

brew install scrcpy

After it finishes, plug in your phone, tap Allow, and type scrcpy. Your phone appears in a window within a few seconds. If you see an error saying adb is not found, install the Android platform tools with Homebrew and try again.

Linux

Linux users can use their regular package manager. The commands depend on your distribution:

• Ubuntu or Debian: sudo apt update && sudo apt install scrcpy
• Fedora: sudo dnf install scrcpy
• Any distro with Snap: sudo snap install scrcpy

Package managers sometimes carry an older version. If you want the latest features, the Snap version or the GitHub release is usually newer. After installing, connect your phone, allow the prompt, and run scrcpy in the terminal.

Going wireless

Cables get old fast, so I switch to Wi-Fi once USB works. Your phone and computer must be on the same network. Start with the phone still plugged in, then follow these steps:

1. Run: adb tcpip 5555
2. Find your phone’s IP address in your Wi-Fi settings.
3. Run: adb connect YOUR_PHONE_IP:5555
4. Unplug the cable.
5. Run: scrcpy

Swap YOUR_PHONE_IP for the real number, such as 192.168.1.5. On Android 11 and newer, you can also use the built-in wireless debugging option, which pairs with a code. If the video stutters, move closer to the router or use a 5 GHz network.

Flags that make life easier

Scrcpy has plenty of options. These are the ones I reach for most:

• --max-size 1024 lowers the resolution to save processing power.
• --max-fps 30 caps the frame rate.
• --fullscreen opens the mirror in fullscreen.
• --show-touches shows touch dots, which helps in demos.
• --record file.mp4 saves your session as a video.
• --turn-screen-off keeps the phone screen dark while you mirror.
• --no-audio turns off audio forwarding.

Flag names have changed in some older versions. If one fails, run scrcpy --help to see what your version supports. You can combine flags in one command, such as --max-size 800 with --video-bit-rate 2M for a lighter stream on old hardware.

Fixing common problems

Device not found. Run adb devices to see what your computer detects. If the list is empty, try another cable, set the USB mode to File Transfer, and check that debugging is on.

The window will not open. This often means ADB is not in your system path. On Windows, use the terminal inside the Scrcpy folder. On Mac and Linux, reinstall ADB and test it from the command line.

Lag or choppy video. Lower the resolution and bitrate, as shown above. A shorter, better cable also helps.

Black screen. Unlock the phone first. Some apps, like banking apps, block screen capture on purpose, so a black window there is normal.

Xiaomi input problems. Turn on the second USB debugging option in Developer Options and restart the phone.

Is it safe and free?

Scrcpy is open source and free, with no ads or subscription. Since the code is public, anyone can inspect it. It also works without an account, and it runs through ADB instead of installing an app on your phone.

As with any tool, download it from the official GitHub page or your package manager, not from random sites. A quick look at where a file comes from can save you trouble.

The takeaway

Once I got through the first connection, Scrcpy became part of my daily routine. I answer messages from my keyboard, copy text between devices, and show my phone in video calls without pointing a camera at it. The whole process takes about ten minutes, and it works the same way on all three systems.