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0) What scrcpy is (and what it needs)
 
scrcpy runs on your computer and temporarily starts a small “server” on your Android phone via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
 
You normally connect by USB first (easy + reliable). Wireless is optional later.
 
Your Android device must be Android 5.0+ (API 21+).
 
Audio forwarding/recording via scrcpy requires Android 11+ (and has extra notes depending on Android version).
 
Important safety tip: the only official source is the GitHub repo/releases—don’t download random “scrcpy download” sites.
 
1) Step A — Prepare your Android phone (USB Debugging)
1. Enable Developer Options
 
Open Settings
 
Go to About phone
 
Find Build number
 
Tap Build number 7 times (you may need to enter your PIN)
 
2. Enable USB Debugging
 
Go back to Settings
 
Open Developer options
 
Turn on USB debugging (confirm any prompts)
 
Android’s official docs explain developer options + USB debugging and why it’s needed for adb.
 
3. Connect the phone to your PC with a good cable
 
Use a known good data cable (some cheap cables are “charge-only”).
 
If Android asks what USB mode to use, choose File transfer (MTP) if available (often helps driver detection on Windows).
 
4. Trust prompt (super important)
 
The first time you connect, your phone should show:
 
“Allow USB debugging?” with a computer fingerprint
✅ Tick Always allow from this computer → Allow
 
If you miss this step, adb will show your device as unauthorized.
 
2) Step B — Install scrcpy (choose your operating system)
Windows (easiest for beginners: WinGet)
 
Method 1: WinGet (recommended)
 
Open PowerShell (Start menu → type “PowerShell”)
 
Run:
 
winget install --exact Genymobile.scrcpy
 
This installs scrcpy and dependencies together on Windows (per scrcpy’s Windows doc).
 
Method 2: Official ZIP release
 
Download the latest release ZIP and extract it.
 
Inside the extracted folder, double-click:
 
open_a_terminal_here.bat (opens a terminal in the right place)
 
Then run scrcpy commands from that terminal.
 
If Windows doesn’t “see” your phone: install the correct OEM USB driver
Android’s official driver guide is here.
 
3) Step C — Verify ADB sees your phone (recommended quick test)
 
Open a terminal (PowerShell/Terminal) and run:
 
adb devices
 
You want to see something like:
 
device ✅ (good)
 
unauthorized ❌ (unlock phone and accept the USB debugging prompt)
 
nothing listed ❌ (driver/cable/USB mode issue)
 
(If scrcpy says adb is missing or not found, that’s an environment/PATH problem—scrcpy itself relies on adb.)
 
4) Step D — Start mirroring (the basic command)
 
Once the phone is connected and authorized:
 
scrcpy
 
That’s it—you should see your phone screen in a window and be able to control it with mouse/keyboard.
 
Screen recording options (Phone vs PC)
Option 1 (BEST): Record directly to a file on your PC using scrcpy
 
This is usually the cleanest method because scrcpy can record the stream directly.
 
Record video + audio to MP4
scrcpy --record=file.mp4
 
Record video only (no audio)
scrcpy --no-audio --record=file.mp4
 
Record without showing a window (silent/background-like recording)
 
Useful if you want a clean capture without a visible scrcpy window:
 
scrcpy --no-playback --no-window --record=file.mp4
 
Stop recording
 
Press Ctrl + C in the terminal running scrcpy.
 
Picking formats (MP4 vs MKV etc.)
 
scrcpy chooses format based on file extension and supports MP4/MKV/OPUS/FLAC/WAV and more.
 
Audio notes (important)
 
Audio capture is supported for Android 11+; for Android 10 or earlier, scrcpy can’t capture audio.
 
scrcpy also supports different audio sources (like microphone), and Android 13+ has options for “duplication” in some cases.
 
Example: record microphone audio only (dictaphone style):
 
scrcpy --audio-source=mic --no-video --no-playback --record=file.opus
 
Option 2: Record on your PHONE using the built-in Screen Recorder
 
This is simplest if you don’t want to deal with files on the PC.
 
Typical Android steps (names vary by brand):
 
Swipe down Quick Settings (sometimes twice)
 
Tap Screen record / Screen recorder
 
Choose options (microphone on/off, show touches, quality)
 
Tap Start
 
To stop: tap the red indicator / notification → Stop
 
Video is saved in Gallery / Photos (often in “Screen recordings”)
 
Notes:
 
Some apps (Netflix, some banking apps) may show black screens or block recording due to DRM/security.
 
If you want narration, enable Microphone inside the recorder settings.
 
Option 3: Record your scrcpy window with OBS (only if you need it)
 
Use this only if you need overlays, webcam, scenes, etc.
 
Downside: it records what’s on your PC screen (and can be lower quality or include UI), whereas --record records the stream more cleanly.
 
 
Fast troubleshooting checklist (when beginners get stuck)
1) adb devices shows unauthorized
 
Unlock phone → accept “Allow USB debugging”
 
Try unplug/replug
 
Toggle USB debugging off/on
 
2) No device appears at all
 
Try another USB port + cable
 
Set USB mode to File transfer (MTP)
 
On Windows: install OEM USB driver
 
3) scrcpy runs but no audio
 
Check Android version: audio capture requires Android 11+
 
If on Android 11: make sure the device is unlocked when starting scrcpy