Reflector for Designers: Wireless Screen Mirroring and Recording Tool

Reflector is a screen mirroring receiver app that turns your Mac or Windows PC into an AirPlay, Google Cast, and Miracast target. Your iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or Chromebook wirelessly mirrors its screen to your computer. Designers use Reflector to record app demos, test mobile designs on larger displays, and present mobile work in meetings without connecting cables.

Key Specs

How Designers Use Reflector

For Recording App Demos and Walkthroughs

Record an app prototype running on your iPhone while narrating the experience. Reflector captures the screen, your voice, and touch indicators. Export as MP4 for portfolio case studies, client presentations, or App Store preview videos. The device frame (iPhone 16, iPad Pro, etc.) makes recordings look professional without editing.

For Presenting Mobile Designs in Meetings

Mirror your iPhone to your Mac during a design review. Everyone sees the mobile app on a big screen or projector. Navigate the prototype while stakeholders watch. No need to pass the phone around or huddle over a small screen. Reflector shows touch indicators so viewers understand what you’re tapping.

For Testing Responsive Designs

Open your website on your phone and mirror it to your Mac. See the mobile version large while making CSS changes on your computer. Reflector helps you catch design issues (text too small, touch targets too close) by making mobile screens easier to inspect. Faster than using browser dev tools’ device simulation.

For Creating Tutorial Videos

Record step-by-step tutorials showing how to use mobile apps or navigate mobile interfaces. Add narration explaining design decisions or user flows. Reflector’s frame options make videos look polished without needing After Effects. Export and upload to YouTube, Vimeo, or embed in documentation sites.

Reflector vs. Alternatives

Choose Reflector if: You want wireless mirroring, need to record mobile screens frequently, or want professional device frames without editing. The one-time $17.99 price is reasonable for how often designers use it.

Choose QuickTime if: You’re on Mac, have a Lightning/USB-C cable handy, and only need to record iPhone screens occasionally. It’s free and works well, just not wireless.

Choose scrcpy if: You’re comfortable with command-line tools and only need Android mirroring. It’s fast and free but requires USB cables and setup.

Choose Vysor if: You need advanced Android device control (clicking on the mirrored screen works on your computer). Reflector mirrors read-only; Vysor lets you interact.

Getting Started with Reflector

A 10-minute setup guide:

Step 1: Install Reflector and ensure Wi-Fi connection

Download Reflector 4 from airsquirrels.com and install it on your Mac or Windows PC. Launch the app. Make sure your computer and mobile device are on the same Wi-Fi network. Reflector won’t work if one is on Wi-Fi and the other on a different network or cellular data.

Step 2: Connect your device via AirPlay or Cast

On iPhone/iPad: Open Control Center (swipe down from top-right), tap Screen Mirroring, and select your computer’s name (it appears as “Your Computer Name [Reflector]”). On Android: Open Settings > Connected Devices > Cast (or use the Cast quick settings tile), and select your computer. The screen appears in a Reflector window.

Step 3: Start recording or adjust settings

Click the red record button in Reflector’s toolbar to start recording. Reflector captures the mirrored screen, audio, and touch indicators. Stop recording and choose where to save the MP4. Adjust settings (frame style, show touches, orientation lock) in Reflector’s preferences. Device frames automatically match your connected device (iPhone 16, Pixel 9, etc.).

Reflector in Your Design Workflow

Reflector bridges mobile design work and desktop presentation/documentation.

• Before Reflector: Design mobile interfaces in Figma, build working prototypes with code or prototyping tools
• During testing/presentation: Mirror device to Reflector for stakeholder demos, usability tests, or design critiques
• After Reflector: Export recordings for documentation, case studies, client deliverables, or portfolio pieces

Common tool pairings:

• Reflector + Keynote for embedding recorded app demos in design presentations
• Reflector + Figma Mirror for showing Figma prototypes on real devices while recording the session
• Reflector + ScreenFlow for advanced video editing (add annotations, zoom effects, voiceover) after recording in Reflector
• Reflector + TestFlight for recording beta app testing sessions to share with development teams

Common Problems (and How to Fix Them)

“My device doesn’t appear in Reflector’s list”

Check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network (not one on Wi-Fi and one on cellular). Disable VPNs on both devices (VPNs can block local network discovery). Restart Reflector and toggle AirPlay/Cast off and on. Some corporate or public Wi-Fi networks block device discovery for security reasons; use a personal hotspot instead.

“Mirroring is laggy or choppy”

Wi-Fi interference causes lag. Move closer to your router, use 5GHz Wi-Fi instead of 2.4GHz, and close bandwidth-heavy apps on both devices. AirPlay has about 1-2 seconds of latency by design, which is fine for demos but not gaming. For near-zero latency, use wired mirroring (QuickTime or scrcpy).

“The device frame doesn’t match my phone”

Reflector auto-detects device models, but sometimes it defaults to a generic frame. In Reflector’s settings, manually select the device frame under “Appearance.” AirSquirrels updates Reflector with new device frames when Apple and Google release new phones, so check for app updates if your device is brand new.

“Can I mirror multiple devices at once?”

Yes. Reflector 4 supports simultaneous connections. Mirror an iPhone and an Android phone to the same Mac for side-by-side comparisons. Each device appears in its own window. This is useful for testing cross-platform designs or recording multi-user interactions. Recording captures all connected devices in the same video.

“Reflector shows a watermark on my recordings”

You’re using the trial version. The watermark disappears when you purchase a license ($17.99). The trial is fully functional for 7 days but adds a watermark to recordings. If you record mobile demos regularly, the one-time purchase pays for itself quickly compared to subscription screen recording tools.

“How do I record with no device frame for a cleaner look?”

In Reflector’s settings, choose “No Frame” under Appearance. The mirrored screen shows without a device bezel. Useful when you want to focus on the UI itself, not the device. You can toggle frames on/off per-device if you’re mirroring multiple devices simultaneously.