The invention provides a method for preparing phenylaniline, which comprises the following steps: mixing cyanophenyl shown in the formula II, first alkaline compounds, nickel catalysts and borophenylic acid shown in the formula III or borophenylic esters shown in the formula VI to carry out suzuki coupling reaction for obtaining cyanobiphenyl shown in the formula IV; mixing the cyanobiphenyl, second alkaline compounds and oxyful, and hydrolyzing the cyanobiphenyl to obtain amido biphenyl shown in the formula V; and mixing the amido biphenyl, third alkaline compounds and sodium hypohalite to generate Hofmann degradation reaction for obtaining phenylaniline shown in the formula I, wherein R1 is chlorine, bromine, iodine, sulphonic acid ester radicals, carbonic ether radicals or alkyl ester radicals; R2 is alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, amido or hydrogen; R3 is chlorine, bromine or iodine; and R4 is alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, amido or hydrogen. The preparing method provided by the invention has the advantages of mild condition, low cost, cleanness and environment protection.