Casting to a Samsung TV using Chromecast

You can cast to a Samsung TV from your phone, tablet, or computer using Google's Chromecast protocol, but only if your Samsung TV has Chromecast built in or you connect a separate Chromecast device. Most newer Samsung TVs (2018 and later) include Chromecast support, though some older models and budget lines do not. The simplest way to check is to look in your TV's settings menu under "About" or "System Information" — if Chromecast appears there, you're ready to cast. If not, you can add Chromecast by plugging a Google Chromecast device (a small stick or dongle) into an HDMI port on the back of your TV.

The casting process itself is straightforward: your phone, tablet, or computer sends a signal to your TV over your home WiFi network, and the TV streams the content directly from the internet rather than playing it through your device. This means you can put your phone down, lock it, or even leave the room while the show continues playing on the TV.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung TVs made in 2018 or later usually have Chromecast built in; older models need a separate Chromecast device plugged into an HDMI port.
  • Your phone, tablet, or computer and your Samsung TV must be connected to the same WiFi network for casting to work.
  • The cast button appears in most Google apps (YouTube, Google Photos, Google Play Music) and in the quick settings menu on Android phones.
  • If casting fails, restart both your TV and your phone, then check that WiFi is working on both devices.

Check if Your Samsung TV Has Chromecast

To find out whether your TV supports Chromecast, pick up your Samsung remote and press the Home button. Navigate to Settings (usually a gear icon), then scroll to About TV or System Information. Look for an entry that says "Chromecast built-in" or lists Chromecast as an available feature. If you see it, your TV is ready to cast.

If Chromecast does not appear in your settings, your TV does not have it built in. You can still cast by purchasing a Google Chromecast device — a small HDMI adapter that costs between $30 and $50 depending on the model. Plug it into any available HDMI port on the back of your TV, connect it to power, and follow the setup instructions on your phone. Once set up, it works the same way as built-in Chromecast.

Set Up Your WiFi Connection

Chromecast works over your home WiFi network, so both your TV and the device you are casting from (phone, tablet, or computer) must be connected to the same network. On your Samsung TV, go to Settings, then Network, and select your WiFi network. Enter your password if prompted. On your phone or tablet, open Settings, go to WiFi, and connect to the same network.

If your home has a 5 GHz WiFi network and a 2.4 GHz network with the same name, connect both devices to the 2.4 GHz version — Chromecast works more reliably on 2.4 GHz, especially if your TV is far from the router. Once both devices show they are connected to WiFi, you are ready to cast.

Cast from an Android Phone or Tablet

On an Android phone or tablet, the easiest way to cast is through a Google app. Open YouTube, Google Photos, Google Play Music, or Google Podcasts, find the content you want to watch or listen to, and look for the cast icon — it looks like a rectangle with WiFi waves in the corner. Tap it, and a list of available devices appears. Select your Samsung TV from the list, and the content starts playing on your TV within a few seconds.

If you want to cast your entire phone screen (not just one app), swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the full quick settings menu. Look for "Cast" or "Screen Cast" and tap it. Select your TV, and everything on your phone screen appears on the TV. This is useful for showing photos, browsing the web, or playing games, though it drains your phone battery faster than casting a single app.

Cast from an iPhone or iPad

iPhones and iPads do not have native Chromecast support built into iOS, but many apps include a cast button anyway. Open YouTube, Google Home, Google Photos, or another Google app, tap the cast icon, and select your Samsung TV. The content plays on your TV just as it does on Android.

If the app you want to use does not have a cast button, you have two options. First, you can use AirPlay to cast to an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible device instead — Samsung TVs do not support AirPlay natively, but some newer models have AirPlay built in (check your TV settings). Second, you can use the Google Home app on your iPhone to cast audio to your TV or to control what is playing on a Chromecast device that is already casting from another source.

Cast from a Windows or Mac Computer

On a Windows computer, open Google Chrome and navigate to the website or video you want to cast. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner, select "Cast", and choose your Samsung TV from the list. The content plays on your TV while you can continue using your computer for other tasks.

On a Mac, the process is the same — open Chrome, find the content, click the three-dot menu, select "Cast", and pick your TV. If you do not see a Cast option, make sure you are using the latest version of Chrome. You can also cast your entire Mac screen by clicking the three-dot menu and selecting "Cast to device", though this is slower and uses more bandwidth than casting a single tab.

Troubleshoot Casting Problems

If the cast button does not appear or your TV does not show up in the device list, start by restarting both your TV and your phone. Turn off your TV completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. On your phone, go to Settings, Apps, and force-close the app you were trying to cast from, then open it again. Check that both devices are still connected to the same WiFi network — if one has switched networks, reconnect it.

If your TV appears in the list but casting fails after you select it, move your phone or casting device closer to the TV and router. Thick walls, metal objects, and other WiFi networks can interfere with the signal. If the problem persists, restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully restart. Once your phone and TV both reconnect to WiFi, try casting again.

If you are casting from a computer and Chrome keeps crashing or freezing, update Chrome to the latest version. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, go to Settings, then About Chrome, and let it read and install any available updates. Restart Chrome and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate Chromecast device if my Samsung TV is older?

Yes, if your TV was made before 2018 or does not show Chromecast in the settings menu, you will need to buy a Google Chromecast device and plug it into an HDMI port. Once connected and set up, it works the same way as built-in Chromecast. You can find Chromecast devices at most electronics retailers.

Can I cast if I am not on the same WiFi network?

No, Chromecast requires both devices to be on the same WiFi network. If you are away from home, you cannot cast to your TV. Some apps like YouTube allow you to cast to a TV on a different network if you sign in with the same Google account, but this is not standard Chromecast behavior.

Why does casting stop when I lock my phone?

It should not. Once content is casting, your TV streams it directly from the internet, not from your phone. Locking your phone, closing the app, or even turning off your phone should not interrupt playback. If it does, check that your WiFi connection is stable and restart both devices.

Can I cast to multiple Samsung TVs at the same time?

No, Chromecast sends content to one device at a time. If you want to play the same content on multiple TVs, you would need to start casting on each TV separately, one after the other.

What if my Samsung TV does not have WiFi built in?

Older Samsung TVs without built-in WiFi cannot use Chromecast, even with a separate Chromecast device, because the device needs to connect to your network. You would need to add WiFi to your TV using a WiFi adapter or connect your TV to your router with an ethernet cable, then set up Chromecast as normal.