You can connect to a Promethean board wirelessly using the Screen Share app with a 6-digit Panel ID, or through ActivCast, which supports AirPlay, Miracast, and platform-specific sender apps. The method you use depends on which ActivPanel model your school or organization has and how the network is configured.
Connect Using the Screen Share App
Screen Share is Promethean’s current wireless mirroring tool and works across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Chromebook devices. No account or sign-in is required. Here’s the process:
- Download the app. Visit the Screen Share page on Promethean’s website (one.prometheanworld.com) and download the version for your operating system.
- Open the app on your device. You’ll be asked whether you’re connecting as a teacher or a student.
- Enter the 6-digit Panel ID. This code displays on the Promethean board’s screen when Screen Share is running. Type it into the app along with your name.
- Start mirroring. Once the ID is accepted, your screen mirrors to the board.
That’s it for the basic connection. The person controlling the board can see your name in the connected attendees list and can invite you to present or disconnect you at any time if Moderator Mode is turned on.
Connect Using ActivCast
Older ActivPanel setups that use an ActivConnect G dongle rely on ActivCast instead of Screen Share. The first step is always the same: someone needs to open the ActivCast app on the ActivConnect G device attached to the board. Once that’s running, the connection method varies by platform:
- Mac: Click the AirPlay icon in your taskbar and select the board’s name. If it doesn’t appear, download ActivCast Connect Assist for Mac.
- iPhone or iPad: Open Control Center (swipe up from the bottom or down from the top-right corner, depending on your model) and tap Screen Mirroring. Select the board’s name. If it’s not listed, install the ActivCast app and enter the 9-digit Connection ID shown on the board.
- Windows: Download and install the ActivCast Sender application, launch it, and select the board’s name.
- Android: Install and launch the ActivCast Sender app, then select the board’s name.
- Chrome browser: Install the ActivCast Sender extension from the Chrome Web Store and select the board’s name.
The key difference from Screen Share is that ActivCast uses device discovery on the local network rather than a simple numeric code, so your device and the board need to be on the same Wi-Fi network for auto-discovery to work.
Wi-Fi and Network Requirements
Both your device and the Promethean board must be connected to a network with internet access. For Screen Share, the connection routes through Promethean’s cloud servers, so the network needs outbound access to several services. If you’re on a personal laptop connecting to a school or office network, this is typically already configured. But if the connection fails, the issue is almost always a firewall or network restriction.
Screen Share requires outbound access on TCP ports 8080, 443, and 8443 to Promethean’s service discovery servers (servicediscovery.mypromethean.com). It also uses UDP port 3478 for STUN traffic, which helps establish the peer-to-peer video stream. If your organization uses AWS Kinesis for media transport, UDP ports 443, 3478, 19302 through 19309, and 49152 through 65535 also need to be open.
Windows devices have two additional wireless protocols that Screen Share can use. Wi-Fi Direct requires TCP port 7236 and UDP ports 19000 through 19100. Miracast over Infrastructure mode uses TCP port 7250 and the same UDP range. If you’re on a Windows laptop and the standard connection method isn’t working, these ports may need to be unblocked.
If you’re a teacher or presenter and can’t get connected, the most productive step is giving your IT team the specific port and hostname requirements above. Most connection failures trace back to a firewall blocking one of these services.
Wi-Fi Modules for Older Panels
Not every Promethean board has built-in Wi-Fi. Some older models, like the ActivPanel Nickel and Cobalt, require a separate Wi-Fi module (part number AP-WIFI-A) to be installed. The Titanium series uses a different module (AP-WIFI-BC). If your board doesn’t appear on the network at all, check whether a Wi-Fi module is installed or whether the board is connected via Ethernet. Either connection type works for wireless mirroring from your device, since the board just needs network access, but the module must be present if the board itself relies on Wi-Fi rather than a wired connection.
Moderator Mode and Controlling Access
If you’re the person running the board, you can turn on Moderator Mode to control who presents. Enabling it generates a new 6-digit session ID, so anyone who connected with the old code will need to reconnect. Once Moderator Mode is active, connected users appear in a list on the board’s screen. You can tap a user’s name to invite them to present, or tap their name and select Disconnect to remove them. The disconnected user gets a notification on their device. This is useful in classrooms or meetings where you want to prevent accidental or unauthorized screen sharing.
Troubleshooting a Failed Connection
If you enter the Panel ID and nothing happens, start with the basics. Confirm your device is connected to Wi-Fi and has internet access by loading any website. Then verify the 6-digit code on the board hasn’t changed, since the code refreshes when Moderator Mode is toggled or the app restarts. If you’re using ActivCast and the board’s name doesn’t appear in your device list, make sure both devices are on the same network subnet. Guest Wi-Fi networks are often isolated from the main network, which prevents discovery.
For persistent issues, try connecting with a different device to narrow down whether the problem is on the sending side or the board side. If no devices can connect, the firewall is the most likely culprit. If only one device can’t connect, check that device’s firewall or VPN settings, since VPNs can redirect traffic away from the local network and block the connection entirely.