Dell’s Mobile Connect update will allow iPhone screen mirroring

By Allison Matyus Published January 2, 2020

iPhone users who have Dell PCs will soon be able to mirror their iPhone screen onto their Dell devices, thanks to an update to Dell’s Mobile Connect software.

Ahead of the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show, Dell announced on Thursday the new feature to its Mobile Connect software that will be available this spring. The update will let iPhone users drag files like photos, videos, and other data from their iPhone to the Dell PC. This feature, which debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2018, is already available for Android phones.

Recommended Videos

You’ll have to download the iPhone app in order for the feature to work, and you have to have Windows 10 running on Dell XPS, Inspiron, Vostro, and Alienware laptops. The screen mirroring feature enables you to interact with your device’s installed apps right on the PC’s screen via a keyboard and mouse, or a touch-capable display.

The new update would allow iPhone users to have more integration into technology brands other than just the Apple ecosystem. For many with an iPhone, it’s easiest also to have an Apple laptop or computer since the iOS software can be challenging to integrate with other systems. Bloomberg said that Dell hopes this new update will attract more iPhone owners to convert to Dell PCs.

As part of the Mobile Connect software, those with an iPhone are already able to get notifications and send texts using their Dell PC. According to Bloomberg, more than 150 million total calls and text messages have been sent with the Mobile Connect software since it debuted, and Apple devices reportedly account for about half of that number.

Even though Apple devices can connect seamlessly to other Apple products, a screen mirroring feature is not available on Apple devices yet.

Digital Trends reached out to Dell and to Apple to comment on the new screen mirroring feature, and we’ll update this story once we hear back.

Dell’s move to better integrate Apple products is just one way Microsoft’s Windows software is one of the most compatible ecosystems when it comes to third-party add-ons. Just about any mouse, keyboard, webcam, storage drive, or other gadgets will work with Windows, which is something that can’t always be said for Apple’s MacOS.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Allison Matyus is a general news reporter at Digital Trends. She covers any and all tech news, including issues around social…

Topics

Phones

Google may finally ditch Samsung’s modem in the Pixel 11, and Tensor G6 could be better for it

FCC paperwork for Google’s next foldable points to MediaTek, raising hopes for lower power use and a cleaner break from Tensor’s Exynos roots

AI recreation of Pixel 11's Pixel Glow feature.

Google may be preparing its biggest Tensor hardware split yet. As spotted by Android Authority, FCC testing for an unreleased foldable Google phone includes a reference to MediaTek radio-frequency software, adding weight to reports that the Pixel 11’s Tensor G6 could leave Samsung’s Exynos modem behind.

Every previous Tensor chip has used Samsung modem hardware. Changing suppliers won’t guarantee better battery life or reception, but it gives Google a fresh path after years of leaning on the same underlying technology.

Phones

Apple’s iPhone Ultra could one-up the Galaxy Z Fold 7 with a bigger battery

4,883mAh total capacity, two cells, and two screens drawing power. Somewhere between "fine" and "I hope Apple's software does the heavy lifting."

Electronics, Phone, Mobile Phone

Apple's foldable iPhone is getting closer to its September announcement. Despite rumors of a delay, a recent report claimed that Foxconn is hiring temporary workers to ramp up production of the Ultra. Now we have a number for one of its most important specs: the battery.

I'll be honest: when I saw the battery figure, my reaction was somewhere between "that works" and "I was hoping for more."

Phones

The next “flagship killer” is coming from Motorola, but it may not reach the US anytime soon.

The Motorola Edge 70 Max looks great on paper, but only India is getting it on July 15.

Electronics, Mobile Phone, Phone

Motorola is building the most ambitious phone in its Edge 70 lineup, but it might not be available in the United States.

Specs like a 7,000-nit display and MagSafe-style magnetic wireless charging belong in a conversation that often includes flagships, but it looks like Motorola wants to break that norm.