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How to Make a Digital "Magic Mirror" That You Can Control from Your Phone

A vintage mirror with a decorative frame reflecting an apple illustration.

Fool your friends, scare your cat, play a game while also admiring your physique! This "magic" mirror lets you do all that and more by letting you display words, pictures, videos, and even some games—all controllable through a mobile phone.

It works by rigging an LED matrix behind a two-way mirror.

Ornate golden picture frame with a reflective surface placed on a cluttered workbench.

Back view of a disassembled electronic device mounted on a chair.

The matrix is controlled by a IOIO microprocessor, and can be interacted with via an Android phone's Bluetooth.

How to Make a Digital "Magic Mirror" That You Can Control from Your Phone

A decorative mirror with an ornate frame hanging on a green wall.

Best of all, the creator documented the entire project, compiling a very handy tutorial on how you can build your own interactive mirror. It's currently just a prototype, but one can easily imagine potential implementations such a device might have.

Man holding a smartphone displaying an app, with a decorative wall featuring a framed number 8 in the background.

If any clever WonderHowTo readers can come up with some cool uses for the idea, let us know!

Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 updates are packed with new features, and you can try them before almost everyone else. First, check Gadget Hacks' list of supported iPhone and iPad models, then follow the step-by-step guide to install the iOS/iPadOS 26 beta — no paid developer account required.