XREAL Aura with a laptop, Steam Deck or Switch: how to connect

The XREAL Aura runs Android apps on its own puck. But lots of buyers want it as a giant screen for a laptop or a handheld, too. XREAL gives you two ways to do that, and they work quite differently.

One detail trips people up. The USB-C cable in the box can't carry video into the puck. You'll need your own.

The two ways at a glance

	Through the puck	Glasses as a monitor
XREAL calls it	Wired Mirroring (DP-in)	Using the glasses as an external display
How it connects	Your device plugs into the puck	The glasses plug straight into your device
Cable	Your own USB-C cable that carries video	The glasses cable from the box
What you see	Your device's screen in a window, inside Android XR	Your device's screen, like any monitor
Android apps and Gemini	Yes, alongside your screen	No
Power	The puck's battery	Your device powers the glasses
Adjust the picture with	Android XR	The glasses' buttons and on-screen menu

Option 1: through the puck

This puts your laptop's screen in a window inside Android XR. You can keep other apps open around it. XREAL says Gemini Live can even look at what's on your screen and help.

1. Plug the glasses into the puck's Glasses Port and turn the Aura on.
2. Connect your device's video-capable USB-C port to the puck's Charging Port. That's the one with the power icon, on the left.
3. The mirroring view opens on its own.
4. Use your device's own keyboard, mouse or controller. The puck's touchpad won't control your laptop.

The cable matters. XREAL's manual says the charging cable in the box carries power only. Use a USB-C cable that supports video, also called DisplayPort Alt Mode. Cables sold for video, plus USB4 and Thunderbolt cables, should do it. A basic charging cable won't. Here's what to look for.

You can't charge while you mirror. The puck has just two ports: one for the glasses and one for charging and video. With your laptop in the second one, there's no free port for a charger. XREAL's manual doesn't say whether your laptop tops up the puck, so start with a full battery. That's 3 to 4 hours of typical use.

No picture? Check that your device's port and cable both support video. On a computer, check the external display settings too.

Option 2: the glasses as a monitor

This skips the puck entirely. The Aura works like any tethered pair of AR glasses.

1. Unplug the straight end of the glasses cable from the puck.
2. Keep the angled end in the glasses. Plug the straight end into your device's video-capable USB-C port.
3. Wake your device. In its display settings, pick mirror or extend.

Your device powers the glasses, so the puck can stay off. You won't get Android apps, Gemini or hand tracking in this mode.

You adjust the picture with the glasses' on-screen menu, which has five sections:

• Spatial Screen: Anchor or Follow mode, screen size and distance, leveling and IPD
• Display: brightness and color mode
• Sound: volume and audio settings
• My: the shortcut button
• Other: language, auto shutdown, firmware version and factory reset

XREAL says the menus and buttons match its One series glasses in this mode.

Which way for your device

MacBook or Windows laptop. Both work. XREAL lists MacBooks and Windows laptops whose USB-C port carries video. Go through the puck if you want Android apps next to your laptop. Go direct if you want the simplest setup, with no puck battery to watch.

Compatibility checkerMacBook Air (M5) + XREAL AuraWorks

Steam Deck and ROG Ally. XREAL lists both. Going direct is simplest, since the Deck powers the glasses like any tethered pair. The Aura's 1920×1200 screens are 16:10, the same shape as the Deck's screen, so games fill the view. Our Steam Deck guide explains why that matters.

Compatibility checkerSteam Deck OLED + XREAL AuraWorks

Nintendo Switch. XREAL's Aura FAQ lists the Switch for the puck's video input. For its One series glasses, XREAL says the Switch needs the XREAL Hub and has to stay plugged into power. The Aura manual doesn't mention either. This is the pairing we'd double-check first.

Switch 2. It's not on XREAL's list. The Switch 2 only sends video through its dock's HDMI port. XREAL says HDMI devices need an adapter with the right signal direction and power support. Our Switch 2 guide covers the setups that work.

iPhone. XREAL doesn't list iPhones for the puck's video input. For the glasses-as-a-monitor route, it says devices that send video over USB-C work, but it doesn't name the iPhone. We'd call it unconfirmed. Here's which iPhones send video at all.

Android phones. XREAL lists "some Android phones" for the puck's video input. If your phone has a desktop mode, see our guides to Galaxy phones and DeX and Pixel desktop mode.

PlayStation, Xbox and desktop PCs. These send video over HDMI, so you'll need an HDMI to USB-C adapter that takes its own power.

Troubleshooting

Black screen in Android XR? XREAL's checklist:

1. Check the cable. The angled end goes in the left arm. The straight end goes in the Glasses Port, not the Charging Port.
2. Check the puck is on. The light should be lit, and you should hear the fan.
3. Use the original glasses cable.
4. Force restart: hold power and volume up on the puck for 10 seconds.

Mirroring shows nothing? Start with the cable. Swap in one you know carries video, like one that already works with a USB-C monitor.

More on the Aura

• New to it? Start with our XREAL Aura setup checklist.
• Need a cable or charger? See XREAL Aura accessories.
• Still deciding? Our XREAL Aura tracker has prices and shipping, and XREAL Aura vs URXR One weighs the closest rival.