Yes, you can cast to Google TV from most devices

Google TV is a casting receiver — it's built to accept video and audio streams from your phone, computer, or tablet. If your TV has Google TV built in, or if you've plugged a Google TV device into an HDMI port, you can send content to it from any device on the same Wi-Fi network. The casting process is the same whether you're streaming from an Android phone, an iPhone, a Windows computer, or a Mac.

The catch is that not every app supports casting. Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and most major streaming services do. Smaller apps, games, and some older software may not. Your device also has to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Google TV — they can't talk to each other across different networks or through a mobile hotspot.

Key Takeaways

  • Google TV accepts casting from Android phones, iPhones, Windows computers, and Macs as long as they're on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Most major streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify have built-in cast buttons, but not every app supports casting.
  • You can cast your entire screen from Android phones and Windows computers, but screen mirroring from iPhones and Macs requires AirPlay, not Google Cast.
  • If casting doesn't work, restart both your Google TV device and the device you're casting from, then check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Casting from streaming apps on your phone

Most streaming apps have a cast button built into the player controls. Open the app, start playing a video or song, and look for a rectangle with a curved line in the corner — that's the cast icon. Tap it, and your phone will show a list of nearby Google TV devices. Select your TV, and the content will start playing there instead of on your phone's screen.

The cast button location varies by app. In Netflix, it's in the top right of the player. In YouTube, it's also in the top right. In Spotify, it's in the now-playing bar at the bottom. If you don't see a cast button, the app doesn't support casting — you'll need to use a different method, like screen mirroring or connecting the app directly to your TV if it has that feature.

Once you've cast to your TV, your phone becomes a remote. You can pause, rewind, or skip without touching the TV itself. You can also lock your phone or switch to another app — the content keeps playing on your TV.

Casting from a computer or tablet

On a Windows computer, open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top right. Select "Cast" and choose your Google TV device. You can then cast a single tab or your entire screen. Casting a tab sends only what's in that browser window; casting your screen sends everything on your monitor, including notifications and other open windows.

On a Mac, the process is similar if you use Chrome. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, select "Cast," and choose your Google TV. Mac users can cast a tab or their entire screen the same way Windows users can. If you're using Safari on a Mac, you'll need to use AirPlay instead of Google Cast — that's a different system, and your Google TV device won't appear in the AirPlay menu unless it supports both protocols.

On an iPad or Android tablet, open the app you want to cast from and tap the cast icon just as you would on a phone. The process is identical.

Screen mirroring versus app casting

App casting sends only the video or audio from one app to your TV. The rest of your phone or computer stays private — notifications, messages, and other apps stay on your device. This is what happens when you tap the cast button in Netflix or YouTube.

Screen mirroring sends everything on your screen to your TV in real time. If you're using an Android phone or Windows computer, you can screen mirror to Google TV. Open Settings, find the Cast or Display option, and select your Google TV device. Everything you do on your device will appear on the TV, including private messages if they pop up.

iPhones and iPads don't screen mirror to Google TV using Google Cast. Instead, they use AirPlay, which is Apple's casting system. Your Google TV device won't appear in the AirPlay menu unless it's one of the newer models that supports both Google Cast and AirPlay. Check your TV's manual or the Google TV device's specs to see if it supports AirPlay.

What to do if casting isn't working

The most common reason casting fails is that your phone or computer and your Google TV aren't on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your device's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it's connected to the same network as your TV. If you're on a guest network or a different band (2.4 GHz versus 5 GHz), they may not see each other.

If they're on the same network, restart both devices. Turn off your Google TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your phone or computer. Then try casting again. This fixes most temporary connection problems.

If the cast button doesn't appear in an app, that app doesn't support casting. Try a different app or use screen mirroring instead. If screen mirroring doesn't work on an Android phone, go to Settings, select Display or Cast, and make sure your Google TV device appears in the list. If it doesn't, your devices aren't on the same network.

Casting from older devices and less common apps

Older Android phones and tablets may not have the cast feature built into every app. If you don't see a cast button, check the app's settings menu — some older versions hide the casting option there. If it's not there, the app was made before Google Cast became standard, and you'll need to use screen mirroring instead.

Some apps, like web browsers, don't have a cast button at all. If you're trying to cast a website, open it in Chrome on your computer and use Chrome's built-in cast feature. On a phone, you can either cast the Chrome tab or screen mirror your entire phone to see the website on your TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from an iPhone to Google TV?

Yes, if the app supports Google Cast. Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify all work. However, iPhones don't support screen mirroring to Google TV — that feature only works with AirPlay, which requires a newer Google TV device that supports both systems. Check your TV's specs to see if it has AirPlay.

Do both devices have to be on the same Wi-Fi network?

Yes. Your phone, computer, and Google TV must all be connected to the same Wi-Fi network to cast. They can't communicate across different networks or through a mobile hotspot. If you're on a guest network, move to the main network and try again.

What happens to my phone while I'm casting?

When you cast an app, your phone acts as a remote control. You can pause, skip, or adjust volume from your phone, and you can lock the phone or switch to another app without stopping playback on your TV. If you're screen mirroring, everything on your phone's screen appears on the TV, so be careful about notifications.

Can I cast from multiple devices at the same time?

No. Only one device can cast to a Google TV at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you're already casting, their device will ask if they want to take over. You'll see a notification on your TV asking you to confirm.

Why doesn't the cast button appear in my app?

Not every app supports casting. Smaller apps, games, and some older software don't have the feature. If the cast button isn't in the player controls or settings menu, the app doesn't support it. Try using screen mirroring instead, or open the content in a different app that does support casting.