Yes, Chromecast works with iPhone, but not the way it works with Android

Chromecast will cast video, music, and photos from your iPhone to your TV, but iPhone does not have the same native casting ability that Android phones have. Instead of casting directly from most apps, you rely on AirPlay—Apple's wireless casting standard—or you use apps that have built-in Chromecast support. Some apps let you do both, and some let you do neither. The method depends entirely on which app you are using and what you want to cast.

The confusion happens because "Chromecast" means two different things. One is the physical device plugged into your TV. The other is the technology inside apps that lets them send video to that device. Your iPhone can talk to a Chromecast device, but it does so through a smaller set of doors than an Android phone does.

Key Takeaways

  • Chromecast devices work with iPhone, but you cannot cast from the iPhone's control center the way you can with Android—you need an app that supports Chromecast or AirPlay.
  • Apps like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Google Photos have Chromecast built in; look for the cast icon (a rectangle with curved lines) inside the app itself.
  • AirPlay is Apple's alternative and works with any app that streams video or audio, but your Chromecast device must support AirPlay—most newer models do, but older ones do not.
  • If an app does not show a cast icon and does not support AirPlay, you cannot cast from that app to a Chromecast device.
  • Mirroring your entire iPhone screen to a Chromecast requires a workaround and is not a built-in feature.

Apps with built-in Chromecast support

Many popular apps let you cast directly from inside them. When you open the app, look for a cast icon—it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner, usually in the top right or bottom right of the screen. Tapping it opens a list of devices you can cast to. Apps that commonly have this include YouTube, YouTube Music, Google Photos, Spotify, Pandora, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max.

Netflix is a partial exception: it has the cast icon on iPhone, but only if you are subscribed to a plan that allows it. Some Netflix plans do not include casting rights, so if you do not see the cast icon, check your subscription level.

The cast icon appears only when the app detects a Chromecast device on your home Wi-Fi network. If you do not see it, make sure your iPhone and your Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If they are and the icon still does not appear, restart both devices.

Using AirPlay instead of Chromecast

AirPlay is Apple's casting system, and it works with newer Chromecast devices. Google added AirPlay support to Chromecast with Google TV (the newer model with the remote) and to some other recent Chromecast devices, but older Chromecast models do not support it. If your Chromecast is more than a few years old, AirPlay will not work with it.

To use AirPlay, open any app that streams video or audio—Apple TV, Prime Video, Spotify, Apple Music, or any other—and look for the AirPlay icon. It looks like a triangle with a rectangle underneath. Tap it and select your Chromecast from the list. Your iPhone will then send the stream to your TV.

AirPlay works with far more apps than Chromecast's native support does, because any app that can stream audio or video can use it. However, it only works if your Chromecast model supports AirPlay. Check your device's documentation or Google's support page to confirm your model is compatible.

Casting your entire iPhone screen

Mirroring your whole iPhone screen to a Chromecast is not straightforward. AirPlay screen mirroring works with Apple TV and AirPlay-compatible devices, but Chromecast devices do not support iPhone screen mirroring natively. If you need to show your entire screen, you have a few workarounds, but none are as straightforward as casting from an Android phone.

One option is to use a third-party app from the App Store that claims to mirror to Chromecast, but these apps have mixed reliability and often require you to install software on your computer as well. Another option is to use a Mac with AirPlay to mirror to a Chromecast with Google TV, then use your Mac's screen instead of your iPhone's. For most people, casting individual apps (using the cast icon inside them) is simpler and more reliable than trying to mirror the whole screen.

Making sure your iPhone and Chromecast are on the same network

Chromecast and your iPhone must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network to communicate. This is the most common reason casting does not work. Check that both devices are on the same network—not a guest network, not a 5 GHz band if your Chromecast only supports 2.4 GHz, and not a different router if you have multiple networks at home.

If you have recently changed your Wi-Fi password, your Chromecast may still be trying to connect with the old one. Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and reconnect it to your Wi-Fi using the Google Home app. Once it is connected, try casting again from your iPhone.

When casting does not work

If you tap the cast icon and your Chromecast does not appear, or if you tap it and the connection fails, start by restarting both devices. Unplug your Chromecast for 30 seconds, restart your iPhone, and try again. This fixes most temporary connection problems.

If that does not work, open the Google Home app on your iPhone and check that your Chromecast is listed and shows as "Connected." If it shows as offline or does not appear at all, your Chromecast is not on the same network as your iPhone. Use the Google Home app to reconnect your Chromecast to Wi-Fi.

If the Chromecast is connected in the Google Home app but still does not appear when you try to cast from an app, the app itself may not support Chromecast. Try opening a different app that you know has casting support—like YouTube—to confirm your Chromecast is working. If YouTube casts successfully but another app does not, that app straightforward does not have Chromecast built in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from Safari on my iPhone to Chromecast?

Not directly. Safari does not have built-in Chromecast support. However, if a website has a cast button inside it (like YouTube.com), you can use that. For most websites, you would need to use AirPlay if your Chromecast supports it, or cast from a native app instead.

Do I need to read anything extra to cast from my iPhone?

No. If your app has a cast icon, casting is built in. You do not need to install a separate app or software. Just make sure your iPhone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Why does my Android friend's phone cast easier than my iPhone?

Android has deeper integration with Chromecast at the system level, so casting works from the control center on any app. iPhone does not have this system-level support, so you depend on individual apps to include the cast icon. AirPlay offers similar system-level support on iPhone, but only for AirPlay-compatible devices.

Can I cast to Chromecast while using a VPN on my iPhone?

Usually not. VPNs can interfere with local network communication, which is what Chromecast uses. If you need to use a VPN, try disconnecting it while casting, then reconnecting after the stream starts.

Does Chromecast work with iPhone on a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network?

It depends on your Chromecast model. Newer Chromecast devices support 5 GHz, but older ones only support 2.4 GHz. If your Chromecast is older and your Wi-Fi is only broadcasting 5 GHz, you will need to enable a 2.4 GHz band on your router or upgrade your Chromecast.