Problem connecting to Miracast WiDi using Windows 10 Bootcamp

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Level 1

20 points

Problem connecting to Miracast WiDi using Windows 10 Bootcamp

I have a 2013 Macbook Pro Retina Display running Catalina and Windows 10 Pro via BootCamp. I am trying to connect to a WiDi device (Fire TV Stick) that is connected to my TV using the built-in Miracast function on the Fire TV Stick. When I turn on the screen mirroring function of the Fire TV Stick, I can see the device in Windows (Winkey-P then select "Connect to a wireless display"). However every time I select the Fire TV Stick the connection fails. Watching the TV screen, I can see that the Fire TV Stick briefly recognizes the Windows device before the connection fails. I have 3 Fire TV Sticks and this happens on all three of them.

Searching the Internet for answers, I read a few times about needing the right equipment and drivers. My Macbook Pro has the right equipment (Intel i7 CPU, Intel HD Graphics 4000 GPU, Intel 7 Series chipset, Broadcom 802.11n wireless adapter). I ran dxdiag to check Miracast compatibility; it says "Available, with HDCP".

Can anyone tell me how to get Miracast to work with my set-up? Thanks!

Posted on Mar 21, 2020 9:42 AM

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Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Mar 21, 2020 10:27 AM in response to oldsports

oldsports wrote:

Can anyone tell me how to get Miracast to work with my set-up? Thanks!

Miracast is not supported on Macs. Apple supports a competing method - AirPlay. The underlying WiDi transport will fail, despite Windows claims that it is supported.

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Answer 2

oldsports Author

Level 1

20 points

Mar 21, 2020 10:46 AM in response to Loner T

Hi Loner T - My understanding is that Airplay only works for Windows under iTunes, meaning that I can only transport audio - is that correct? It seems a shame that my Bootcamp set-up cannot use Miracast if all of the equipment is there. How is Apple blocking it when I am running the Windows 10 OS? I assume it must be the Bootcamp drivers.

Do you know of any 3rd party app that would allow my Windows 10 Pro Bootcamp set-up to connect my screen to a WiDi device? Thanks!

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Answer 3

oldsports Author

Level 1

20 points

Mar 21, 2020 6:19 PM in response to Loner T

I figured out a solution that works for me. First, I installed an app called AirScreen on my Fire TV Stick; this allows the stick to act like an Airplay receiver. Next, I installed an app called AirMyPC on my Windows 10 Pro Bootcamp set-up; this allows it to broadcast to Airplay receivers. Now I am able to mirror my Windows computer on the Fire TV Stick using Airplay. It works pretty well and meets the need I have. AirScreen is a free app; AirMyPC costs $15 but it is a small price to pay. Still a shame that Miracast does not work natively on Bootcamp set-ups like it does on PC-based Windows 10 installations.

Thanks!

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