How to Cast Your Tablet to Your TV

The fastest way to get video from your tablet to your TV

Casting sends video and audio from your tablet to your TV wirelessly, so you can watch photos, videos, or apps on a bigger screen without plugging in cables. The method depends on what tablet and TV you own. Most modern tablets and TVs support at least one casting standard — the most common are Chromecast (Google), AirPlay (Apple), and Miracast (Windows and Android). Your TV does not need to be "smart" — a basic TV can receive a cast if you plug in a separate device like a Chromecast dongle or Fire TV Stick.

Before you start, check what your tablet and TV support. An iPad works with AirPlay and Miracast. An Android tablet works with Chromecast, Miracast, and some proprietary systems. A Windows tablet works with Miracast. Your TV's manual or the manufacturer's website will list what it supports, or you can look for the logos on the back or in the settings menu.

Key Takeaways

Chromecast (Google) works with most Android tablets and some iPhones, and requires a Chromecast device plugged into your TV's HDMI port.
AirPlay (Apple) works between iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs without extra hardware, and is built into the Control Center on your device.
Miracast is a wireless standard built into many Android tablets and Windows devices, and works with some newer TVs or a Miracast receiver dongle.
Your tablet and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work, and the TV must be powered on and set to the correct input.
If your TV does not support any casting method, you can buy a Chromecast, Fire TV Stick, or Miracast dongle for under $50 to add the feature.

Casting with Chromecast on Android tablets

Chromecast is Google's casting system and works with most Android tablets. You will need a Chromecast device — a small dongle that plugs into your TV's HDMI port and connects to power. Plug it in, turn on your TV, and select the HDMI input where the Chromecast is connected. The Chromecast will display a setup screen.

On your Android tablet, open the Google Home app (read it from the Google Play Store if you do not have it). The app will find your Chromecast automatically if both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Tap the Chromecast device, then follow the on-screen steps to connect your tablet to it. Once connected, open any app — YouTube, Netflix, Chrome, Google Photos — and look for the Cast icon (a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner). Tap it and select your Chromecast. The video will now play on your TV.

If the Cast icon does not appear in an app, that app does not support casting. You can still cast your entire tablet screen by opening the Google Home app, tapping your Chromecast, and selecting "Cast my screen" — this mirrors everything on your tablet, though it uses more battery and may be slower.

Casting with AirPlay on iPad and iPhone

AirPlay is Apple's system and works between iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs without needing extra hardware. If you have an Apple TV connected to your TV, make sure it is on the same Wi-Fi network as your iPad. On your iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. Tap Screen Mirroring (or AirPlay on older models), then select your Apple TV from the list.

Your iPad screen will now appear on your TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select "Stop Mirroring." If you do not have an Apple TV, you can buy a third-party AirPlay receiver (some cost $20 to $40), though Apple TV is the most reliable option.

Some apps also support AirPlay directly without mirroring your whole screen. Open the app, look for the AirPlay icon (usually in the playback controls), and tap it to send just that video to your TV. This uses less battery than full-screen mirroring.

Casting with Miracast on Android and Windows tablets

Miracast is a wireless standard built into many Android and Windows tablets. It does not require a separate app — the feature is in your tablet's settings. Check your TV's manual or settings to see if it supports Miracast. Many newer TVs do; older ones do not.

On an Android tablet, open Settings, go to Display or Connected Devices, and look for Cast, Wireless Display, or Screen Mirroring. Tap it and select your TV from the list. Your tablet screen will mirror to the TV. On a Windows tablet, open Settings, go to System, then Display, and select Connect to a wireless display. Choose your TV.

If your TV does not support Miracast, you can buy a Miracast receiver dongle (usually $20 to $40) and plug it into your TV's HDMI port. The process is the same — your tablet will see the dongle as a wireless display and connect to it.

Troubleshooting when casting does not work

The most common reason casting fails is that your tablet and TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both devices are connected to the same network name (SSID). If you have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, try connecting both devices to the 2.4 GHz band — some casting devices do not work on 5 GHz.

If your TV does not appear in the list of available devices, restart both your tablet and TV, then try again. Make sure your TV is set to the correct HDMI input and is powered on. Some TVs require you to enable casting in their settings menu — check the manual or look in the TV's settings under "Network" or "Wireless."

If the connection keeps dropping, move your tablet closer to your TV or router. Walls, metal objects, and other Wi-Fi networks can interfere with the signal. If you are using Chromecast or Miracast, check that your router is not on an overcrowded Wi-Fi channel — you can change this in your router's settings, though this is usually a last resort.

When to use screen mirroring versus app casting

Screen mirroring (also called screen casting) sends your entire tablet display to the TV. This works with any app, but it uses more battery, may have a slight delay, and ties up your tablet — you cannot use it for other things while mirroring. Use screen mirroring when you want to show photos, browse the web, or use an app that does not support casting.

App casting sends only the video or content from a specific app, leaving the rest of your tablet screen free. This is faster, uses less battery, and lets you use your tablet for other things while the video plays on the TV. Most streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, Spotify) support app casting. Use this method whenever the app you want has a Cast button.

Buying a casting device if your TV does not support it

If your TV does not have built-in casting, you have three main options. A Chromecast (made by Google) costs around $30 to $50 and works with Android tablets, iPhones, and computers. A Fire TV Stick (made by Amazon) costs around $40 to $50 and works with Android tablets and iPhones. A Miracast receiver (made by various manufacturers) costs around $20 to $40 and works with Android and Windows tablets.

All three plug into your TV's HDMI port and require power (usually via a USB cable). Chromecast and Fire TV Stick also give you access to streaming apps built into the device, so you can watch Netflix or YouTube without using your tablet at all. If you already use Google services (Gmail, YouTube, Google Photos), Chromecast is usually the easiest choice. If you use Amazon Prime, a Fire TV Stick may be more convenient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy anything to cast from my tablet?

Not if your TV has built-in Chromecast, AirPlay, or Miracast. Check your TV's manual or settings. If it does not, you will need a casting device like a Chromecast dongle (around $30 to $50). Some tablets and TVs from the same manufacturer (Samsung, LG) also have proprietary casting systems that work without extra hardware.

Can I cast if my tablet and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks?

No. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you have a guest network, make sure both your tablet and TV are connected to your main network, not the guest one. If you cannot connect your TV to Wi-Fi, you will need a casting device that can create its own network, though this is rare.

Will casting work if my internet goes down?

Yes. Casting happens over your local Wi-Fi network, not the internet. As long as your router is on and both devices are connected to it, casting will work even if you have no internet connection. Streaming apps may not work without internet, but the casting connection itself does not need it.

Can I cast audio only, without the video?

Yes, if the app supports it. Spotify, YouTube Music, and other audio apps often have a Cast button that sends sound to a speaker or TV without sending video. Look for the Cast icon in the app's playback controls. For screen mirroring, you will always get both video and audio.

Why is there a delay when I cast my tablet screen?

Screen mirroring has a slight delay (usually under a second) because your tablet has to encode the video, send it over Wi-Fi, and your TV has to decode it. This is normal and acceptable for photos and web browsing. If you are playing a game or watching video, use app casting instead — it has much less delay because the app sends the video directly to the TV.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.