Want to use your phone's rear camera while keeping an eye on your shot? Or view videos and photos on an external monitor? Learning how to display phone on monitor via USB C can help you do both. Follow these five steps to connect your phone and display its screen on an external monitor.
1. Check if your phone supports USB-C video output
First, confirm whether your phone supports outputting video signals to an external display via its USB-C port. This is a prerequisite for wired screen mirroring, as not all USB-C ports support video output through DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode).
You can check this by visiting the manufacturer's official website or consulting the product manual, searching for terms such as "USB-C video output," "DisplayPort Alt Mode" (DP Alt Mode), or "external display support."
Examples of phones that support USB-C video output:
| Brand | Models |
|---|---|
| Apple | iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max; iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max; iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max; iPhone 18 Pro |
| Samsung | Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra; Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra; Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra; Galaxy S26, S26+, S26 Ultra; Galaxy Z Fold5, Fold6, Fold7, Fold8 |
| Pixel 8, 8 Pro; Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL; Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL | |
| Motorola | Edge 50 Pro, Edge 50 Ultra |
2. Choose the right USB-C cable or Type-C adapter
Once you have confirmed that your phone supports video output, select the appropriate connection accessory based on the display's input port type (USB-C or HDMI).
👉 Option 1: USB-C to USB-C cable
If your monitor is equipped with a USB-C input port, you can connect your phone directly to the display using a USB-C to USB-C cable.
👉 Option 2: Type-C to HDMI adapter or cable
If your monitor only has an HDMI input port, you can use a Type-C to HDMI adapter or an integrated Type-C to HDMI cable.
Make sure the cable or adapter supports video transmission and is compatible with your required resolution and refresh rate.
3. Connect your phone to the monitor using USB-C
Now that you have the right accessories, follow the steps below to display your phone on a monitor via USB C.
👉 USB-C to USB-C:
Plug one end of the cable into the USB-C port on your phone and the other end into a USB-C port on the monitor that supports video input. Make sure both connections are secure to prevent signal interruptions caused by loose connections.
👉 Type-C to HDMI:
Plug the Type-C end of the adapter into your phone, then connect the adapter to the monitor’s HDMI port using an HDMI cable. If you are using an all-in-one USB-C to HDMI cable, simply connect both ends directly.
4. Select the correct input source on the monitor if needed
Once connected, some USB-C phone monitors may automatically begin mirroring the display. However, others may not automatically detect the input source, requiring you to select it manually. Follow these steps:
- Turn on the monitor and use its menu buttons or joystick to access the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu.
- Find the "Input Source" or "Source" option.
- Select the corresponding input, such as USB-C, HDMI 1, or HDMI 2.
If the monitor still displays "No Signal," check that the correct input source is selected and that the cable, adapter, and ports are properly connected and compatible.
5. Adjust screen mirroring and display settings
After you display your phone on a monitor using USB-C, you can adjust the display mode and picture settings for a better viewing experience.
⚙️ Choose a display mode on your phone:
Depending on your phone's capabilities, you can use Screen Mirroring to show the same content on both screens or switch to a desktop mode, such as Samsung DeX, for a PC-like interface. These options may be available through your phone's settings or on-screen prompts.
⚙️ Adjust the display settings:
Depending on your phone and monitor, you may be able to adjust the output resolution, refresh rate, or screen orientation. You can also use the monitor's OSD menu to adjust picture scaling or aspect ratio if the image has black bars or appears stretched.
Bonus tip: Display your phone on a monitor with or without USB-C
Besides a USB-C cable, you can also connect your phone to a monitor wirelessly, provided the monitor has built-in wireless display support or a compatible wireless receiver.
For more connection methods and step-by-step instructions, check out our guide on How to Display Phone Screen on Monitor.
Which method you choose depends on your image quality, latency, and mobility needs.
📌 Choose a wired USB-C connection if you need 4K video monitoring with minimal latency.
Video signals travel directly through the cable, providing a stable connection with virtually no wireless interference. This makes wired monitoring suitable for professional 4K filming and fixed office setups.
However, the cable occupies your phone's USB-C port and limits how far you can move the phone and monitor apart.
📌 Choose wireless monitoring without USB-C if you need more freedom of movement.
Wireless transmission lets you move freely within the monitor's supported range, often several dozen meters, without a video cable. It also leaves your phone's USB-C port free for charging, so you can power your phone while monitoring.
Although wireless signals may experience interference and introduce some latency, the delay can be barely noticeable. For example, SYNCO monitors offer latency as low as 0.04 seconds.
📌 Need both options? The SYNCO XView M4 AI supports both wired and wireless monitoring, allowing you to switch between the two based on your shooting needs.