iPhone cannot cast directly to Chromecast, but you can mirror your screen or stream specific apps using workarounds

Apple and Google do not make their casting systems compatible. iPhones use AirPlay; Chromecasts use Google Cast. Your iPhone will not show Chromecast as a casting option in most apps. However, you have two practical routes: screen mirroring through your Mac or iPad, or using apps that support Google Cast natively.

The fastest option for most people is to use an app that already works with Chromecast — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and many others let you cast directly from iPhone without any extra steps. If you need to mirror your entire screen or use an app that does not support casting, you will need to go through a Mac or iPad as an intermediary.

Key Takeaways

  • Apps like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Disney+ cast from iPhone to Chromecast directly using the built-in Google Cast button in those apps.
  • To mirror your entire iPhone screen to Chromecast, you must use a Mac or iPad running the same iCloud account as your intermediary device.
  • Screen mirroring from Mac to Chromecast works through AirPlay to Google Home, a feature available on Macs running macOS 12.3 or later.
  • Not all apps support casting, so check the app's menu for a cast icon before assuming you need screen mirroring.

Apps that cast directly from iPhone to Chromecast

Hundreds of apps include a built-in Google Cast button. Look for a rectangle with a curved line in the corner — that is the official cast icon. Tap it, select your Chromecast device, and the app streams to your TV. This works without any setup beyond having your iPhone and Chromecast on the same Wi-Fi network.

Common apps with native casting include YouTube, YouTube Music, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, Pandora, Plex, Twitch, and Google Photos. Casting from these apps is the most reliable method because the app handles the connection directly. You do not need a Mac, iPad, or any workaround — just the app and your Chromecast.

To find out whether an app supports casting, open it and look in the menu or playback controls. If you see the cast icon, tap it. If you do not see it, the app does not support Google Cast, and you will need to use screen mirroring instead.

Screen mirroring from Mac to Chromecast

If you own a Mac running macOS 12.3 or later, you can mirror your Mac's screen to Chromecast, then mirror your iPhone to that Mac using AirPlay. This is a two-step process but works for any app on your iPhone.

First, on your Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner, select Screen Mirroring, and choose your Chromecast device. Your Mac's screen now appears on your TV. Next, on your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Mac. Your iPhone screen now mirrors to your Mac, which is already mirrored to your TV.

This method works but adds a step and uses your Mac as a middleman. It is useful if you need to use an app that does not support casting, but if the app supports casting natively, casting directly is simpler and faster.

Screen mirroring from iPad to Chromecast

If you have an iPad instead of a Mac, the process is similar. iPads running iPadOS 16.1 or later can mirror to Chromecast directly through AirPlay to Google Home. Open Control Center on your iPad, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Chromecast device.

Once your iPad is mirrored to your TV, you can then mirror your iPhone to your iPad using AirPlay, following the same steps as the Mac method. This gives you the same result — your iPhone content on your TV — but requires both devices to be present and on the same Wi-Fi network.

What you need to set up casting

Your iPhone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are on different networks, casting will not work. Check that both devices are connected to the same network name in your Wi-Fi settings.

Your Chromecast must be set up and working. If you have not set it up yet, use the Google Home app on your iPhone to complete the initial setup. Once your Chromecast is on and connected to Wi-Fi, it will appear in the cast menu of any compatible app.

For Mac or iPad mirroring, both devices must be signed into the same iCloud account. If you use different Apple IDs on your iPhone and Mac, screen mirroring will not work.

Why iPhone and Chromecast are not natively compatible

Apple and Google use different casting technologies. iPhones use AirPlay, which is Apple's proprietary system. Chromecasts use Google Cast, which is Google's system. The two do not talk to each other directly, which is why you cannot straightforward tap a cast button and send your iPhone screen to a Chromecast the way you can with an Apple TV.

This is a business decision, not a technical limitation. Both companies could make their systems compatible, but they have chosen not to. As a result, workarounds like using a Mac or iPad as an intermediary exist, but they are not as seamless as casting between Apple devices.

Troubleshooting casting problems

If an app shows a cast icon but your Chromecast does not appear in the list, restart both your iPhone and Chromecast. Unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot. Then open the app again and check the cast menu.

If your iPhone and Chromecast are on different Wi-Fi networks, they cannot see each other. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network as your Chromecast. Some homes have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name — Chromecasts typically work better on 2.4 GHz.

If screen mirroring from Mac or iPad is not working, make sure both devices are signed into the same iCloud account and are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart both devices and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from iPhone to Chromecast without a Mac or iPad?

Yes, if the app you want to use supports Google Cast natively. YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and hundreds of other apps have a built-in cast button. Tap it and select your Chromecast. If the app does not have a cast button, you will need a Mac or iPad to mirror your screen.

Do I need to pay for anything to cast from iPhone to Chromecast?

No. Casting itself is free. You may need a subscription to the app or service you are casting from — for example, Netflix or Spotify — but the casting feature itself does not cost money.

Will casting drain my iPhone battery?

Casting uses Wi-Fi and some processing power, so your battery will drain faster than normal, but not dramatically. If you are casting for hours, plug your iPhone in. For typical use — watching a show or listening to music — battery drain is not a major concern.

Can I use my iPhone while something is casting to Chromecast?

Yes. Once you start casting an app like YouTube or Spotify, you can lock your iPhone or use other apps. The content continues to play on your TV. If you are screen mirroring your entire iPhone, whatever you do on your iPhone will also appear on your TV.

What if my Chromecast is an older model?

Older Chromecasts work the same way as newer ones. As long as your Chromecast is set up and on Wi-Fi, apps that support Google Cast will find it. The casting feature has not changed significantly between generations.