When you present a slideshow in PowerPoint, your speaker notes are normally visible only on your computer screen. But if you want to use your phone as a remote presenter view, you need to see those notes on the phone while the audience watches the slides on another display. This is possible using PowerPoint’s built-in Presenter View feature combined with the PowerPoint mobile app. This article explains how to set up your phone to show your speaker notes during a slideshow without sharing them with the audience.
Key Takeaways: How to Show Speaker Notes on Your Phone While Presenting
- PowerPoint mobile app on iOS or Android: Lets you control the slideshow and view your notes on the phone screen.
- Presenter View on desktop: Must be enabled before starting the slideshow so notes appear on the phone.
- Use the same Microsoft account on both devices: Required to sync the presentation and notes across devices.
Why You Need the PowerPoint Mobile App and Presenter View
PowerPoint’s Presenter View is a desktop mode that shows your speaker notes, a timer, and slide previews on your computer screen while the audience sees only the full-slide view on the projector or second monitor. When you connect your phone via the PowerPoint mobile app, the app can act as a remote control that also displays these notes. The mobile app does not automatically show notes; you must enable Presenter View on your desktop before you start the slideshow. Both devices must be signed into the same Microsoft account and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
The key prerequisite is that your presentation must contain speaker notes. If your slides have no notes, there is nothing to display. You can add notes in the Notes pane below each slide in the desktop version of PowerPoint. The mobile app will then mirror the notes exactly as they appear in Presenter View on your computer.
Steps to Display PowerPoint Notes on Your Phone During a Slideshow
Follow these steps to set up the connection between your desktop and your phone. The process works the same on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Open your presentation on your desktop
Launch PowerPoint on your Windows computer and open the file that contains your speaker notes. Verify that each slide has notes in the Notes pane below the slide area. - Enable Presenter View on the desktop
Go to the Slide Show tab on the ribbon. In the Monitors group, check the box labeled Use Presenter View. This tells PowerPoint to show your notes and controls on your computer screen while the audience sees only the slides on the external display or projector. - Install the PowerPoint mobile app on your phone
Open the App Store on iPhone or Google Play on Android. Search for Microsoft PowerPoint and install the free app. Sign in with the same Microsoft account that you use on your desktop computer. - Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as your desktop
Both devices must be on the same local network. If your desktop uses a wired Ethernet connection, ensure your phone is connected to the same router’s Wi-Fi network. - Start the slideshow on your desktop
Press F5 on your keyboard or click the Slide Show button in the lower-right corner of PowerPoint. The slideshow begins. On your desktop screen, you should see Presenter View with your notes, the current slide, and a preview of the next slide. - Open the PowerPoint mobile app and select your presentation
On your phone, open the PowerPoint app. Tap the presentation file that is currently playing on your desktop. If the file is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, it will appear in the app’s file list. If the file is only on your desktop, you may need to upload it to OneDrive first. - Tap the slide show icon in the mobile app
In the PowerPoint mobile app, tap the Slide Show icon at the top of the screen. The app will detect the running slideshow on your desktop and connect to it. After a few seconds, your phone screen will show the current slide, a thumbnail of the next slide, and your speaker notes below the slide. - Use the phone to advance slides and view notes
Swipe left or right on your phone screen to move forward or backward through the slides. The notes update automatically as you change slides. The audience continues to see only the slides on the projector or external monitor.
Common Issues When Using PowerPoint Notes on a Phone
Phone does not connect to the desktop slideshow
If the PowerPoint mobile app does not detect the running slideshow on your desktop, first confirm that both devices are signed into the same Microsoft account. Then verify that both are connected to the same network. If the problem persists, close the PowerPoint app on your phone, restart the slideshow on your desktop, and reopen the app on your phone.
No notes appear on the phone screen
This usually happens when Presenter View is not enabled on the desktop before starting the slideshow. Go back to the Slide Show tab, check Use Presenter View, and restart the slideshow. Also ensure that each slide actually contains text in the Notes pane. Empty notes will show nothing on the phone.
Slideshow controls lag on the phone
Network latency can cause a delay between swiping on your phone and the slide changing on the desktop. Move closer to the Wi-Fi router or use a 5 GHz network for lower latency. If your Wi-Fi signal is weak, consider using a wired connection for the desktop and a strong Wi-Fi signal for the phone.
PowerPoint mobile app crashes when connecting
On older Android or iOS devices, the app may run out of memory. Close all other apps on your phone before opening PowerPoint. Update the mobile app to the latest version from the app store. If the crash continues, restart your phone and try again.
PowerPoint Desktop vs Mobile: Notes Display During Slideshow
| Item | Desktop with Presenter View | Phone with PowerPoint Mobile App |
|---|---|---|
| Notes visibility | Shown on computer screen only | Shown on phone screen only |
| Audience sees notes | No (notes on presenter screen) | No (notes on phone only) |
| Slide control method | Keyboard, mouse, or clicker | Swipe or tap on phone screen |
| Network requirement | None (local display) | Same Wi-Fi as desktop |
| App required | PowerPoint for Windows | PowerPoint mobile app (free) |
The phone method is ideal when you want to move around the room while still reading your notes. However, the desktop Presenter View provides a larger screen with more detail, including a timer and slide thumbnails. Choose the phone method for mobility and the desktop method for maximum control.
You can now present a slideshow while reading your speaker notes on your phone. The audience sees only the slides on the main display. For an even smoother experience, save your presentation to OneDrive before the meeting so the mobile app loads it faster. If you need to share notes with a colleague, use the File > Share > Send a Copy option to send the notes as a separate document.