Quick answer
USB or Wi-Fi — which should you use?
Use USB for streaming, OBS recording, video calls, and whenever you need reliable low-latency video. Use Wi-Fi only when a cable is inconvenient.
| Feature | USB | Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Latency | 1–5 ms | 10–50 ms |
| Stability | Excellent — no dropouts | Depends on router and interference |
| Setup | Cable required | Wireless — more convenient |
| Phone charging | Yes — charges while connected | No |
| Quality | Consistent | Variable |
| Best for | Streaming, OBS, calls | Casual use, no cable available |
USB setup
Connect Iriun via USB on Windows
Android USB setup:
- 1
Enable USB Debugging on Android
Settings → About phone → tap Build number 7 times to unlock Developer Options → Settings → Developer Options → enable USB Debugging.
- 2
Plug in USB cable
Use a data cable (not a charge-only cable). When prompted on Android, tap Trust this computer.
- 3
Open Iriun on both devices
Start the PC client, then open the Iriun app on Android. It should detect the USB connection and connect automatically.
iPhone USB setup:
- Plug iPhone into PC with Lightning or USB-C cable
- On iPhone: tap Trust when prompted
- Open Iriun PC client, then open Iriun app on iPhone
Wi-Fi tips
Get the best Wi-Fi performance
- Use 5GHz band — faster and less congested than 2.4GHz. Check your router — most modern routers broadcast both bands with different names
- Same router, same band — both phone and PC must be on the same router and ideally the same frequency band
- Stay close to the router — signal strength drops quickly with distance and through walls
- Reduce interference — other devices, microwave ovens and neighbouring Wi-Fi networks can cause stuttering
FAQ
USB vs Wi-Fi questions
Does USB mode charge my phone while using Iriun?
Yes. When connected via USB to a PC, your phone charges while Iriun streams video. This is one of the major advantages of USB mode for long streaming sessions — your phone stays charged.
Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting during video calls
Switch to USB mode for reliable video calls. If you must use Wi-Fi: connect to 5GHz, move closer to the router, and make sure no other devices are heavily using the network during the call.
USB not working — Iriun still tries to connect via Wi-Fi
For Android: make sure USB Debugging is enabled in Developer Options. Check the USB cable is a data cable (not charge-only). When you plug in, the Android notification should show a USB connection option — select File Transfer or MTP mode.