How to Cast from Your iPhone to a Chromecast Device

Yes, you can cast from iPhone to Chromecast, but not directly

Your iPhone cannot cast to Chromecast the way an Android phone can. Apple and Google use different casting systems — iPhones use AirPlay, while Chromecast uses Google Cast. However, you have two working routes: use an app that supports Google Cast (like YouTube, Netflix, or Spotify), or mirror your entire iPhone screen through a workaround using AirPlay and a Chromecast-compatible receiver.

The simplest path for most people is to open an app that already knows how to talk to Chromecast. If you want to send anything from your iPhone screen to the TV — not just video or music from a single app — you will need either a second device or a TV with built-in AirPlay support.

Key Takeaways

Apps like YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, and Google Home can cast directly from iPhone to Chromecast without any setup beyond connecting to the same Wi-Fi network.
To cast from these apps, look for the cast icon (a rectangle with curved lines in the corner) and tap it to select your Chromecast device.
Full-screen mirroring from iPhone to Chromecast requires either an AirPlay-compatible TV or a third-party app, since iPhone's native AirPlay does not work with standard Chromecast devices.
Your iPhone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.

Apps that cast directly from iPhone to Chromecast

Many popular apps have built-in Google Cast support, which means they can send video, music, or photos directly to your Chromecast without you needing to do anything special. Open the app, find the cast icon (it looks like a small rectangle with curved lines in the corner, usually in the top right or bottom right), and tap it. A list of nearby Chromecast devices will appear. Select the one you want, and the content will start playing on your TV.

Apps that work this way include YouTube, YouTube Music, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Spotify, Pandora, Google Photos, Google Home, and many others. The exact location of the cast button varies by app — sometimes it is in the player controls, sometimes in the menu. If you do not see it, the app may not support casting, or you may not be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast.

This is the fastest and most reliable way to get video or music from your iPhone to your TV. No extra hardware, no mirroring lag, and the app continues to work on your phone while the content plays on the TV.

How to set up casting on your iPhone

Before you can cast, make sure your iPhone and Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone, go to Wi-Fi, and confirm you are on the same network your Chromecast is using. If you do not know which network your Chromecast is on, open the Google Home app on your iPhone, tap the Chromecast device, and look at the Wi-Fi network listed under Device Info.

Once both devices are on the same network, open any app that supports casting (YouTube is a good one to test with). Play a video, then tap the cast icon. Your Chromecast device should appear in the list. Tap it, and the video will move to your TV. Your iPhone screen will show that casting is active, and you can use your phone for other things while the video plays.

If your Chromecast does not appear in the list, try restarting both your iPhone and your Chromecast device. Unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot before trying again. If it still does not show up, check that both devices are truly on the same Wi-Fi network — some phones connect to a 5 GHz band while Chromecast is on 2.4 GHz, and they cannot see each other across those bands.

Mirroring your entire iPhone screen to Chromecast

If you want to send everything on your iPhone screen to the TV — not just video from one app — you have limited options. Standard Chromecast devices do not support AirPlay, which is Apple's mirroring system. However, if your TV has built-in Chromecast (called Google TV or Google Cast), it may also support AirPlay. Check your TV manual or settings to see if AirPlay is available.

If your TV does not support AirPlay, you can use a third-party app like Replica or AirBeamTV, which creates a workaround by converting your iPhone's AirPlay signal into something Chromecast can understand. These apps require a subscription or one-time purchase and add a step to the process, so they are best used only if you frequently need to mirror your entire screen.

For most people, casting individual apps is simpler and faster than trying to mirror the whole screen. Full-screen mirroring also uses more battery and can introduce lag, so it is better reserved for situations where you really need to show everything on your phone at once.

Troubleshooting casting problems

If the cast icon does not appear in an app, the app may not support Google Cast. Check the app's settings or help section to confirm. Some older versions of apps do not have casting built in, so updating the app from the App Store may help.

If the cast icon appears but your Chromecast device does not show up in the list, the devices are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Walk through the network check described above. Also make sure your Chromecast is powered on — the light on the device should be solid white or blue, not off or red.

If casting starts but the video keeps stopping or buffering, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Move your iPhone or Chromecast closer to your router, or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If you are on a crowded Wi-Fi network (like in an apartment building), switching to the 5 GHz band on your iPhone may help, though your Chromecast will need to be on the same band.

If you cast a video and it plays on the TV but the audio comes out of your iPhone instead, check your iPhone's volume. Some apps default to playing sound through the phone's speaker even when casting video. You can also try disconnecting and reconnecting to the cast.

Casting from Safari and other browsers

Safari on iPhone does not have a built-in cast button like Chrome on Android does. However, if a website has its own cast button (like YouTube.com or Netflix.com), you can tap that button to cast. For websites that do not have their own cast feature, you cannot cast directly from Safari to Chromecast.

The workaround is to use the app version instead of the website. YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and most other streaming services have iPhone apps with full casting support. If you are watching something in Safari and want to move it to your TV, open the app instead and cast from there.

Using Google Home to manage your Chromecast

The Google Home app on your iPhone lets you set up your Chromecast, rename it, and see which devices are available to cast to. Open Google Home, tap the Chromecast device, and you can adjust volume, stop playback, or restart the device. You can also use Google Home to cast music or photos to your Chromecast without opening a separate app.

If you have multiple Chromecast devices in your home, Google Home shows all of them. This is useful if you want to cast to a specific TV rather than whichever one happens to be listed first. You can also create groups in Google Home so you can cast to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I cast from my iPhone like I can from an Android phone?

iPhone uses Apple's AirPlay system, while Chromecast uses Google's Google Cast system. They are not compatible with each other. Android phones can cast to Chromecast natively because Google built both systems. iPhone can only cast through apps that have Google Cast built in, or through workarounds like third-party mirroring apps.

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

No. If you already have an app like YouTube or Netflix, you can cast right away. The cast feature is built into the app. You do not need to read a separate casting app or software. Just make sure both your iPhone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Can I cast to Chromecast if my iPhone is on a different Wi-Fi network?

No. Your iPhone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network to communicate. If your Chromecast is on your home network and your iPhone is on a guest network or mobile hotspot, casting will not work. Switch your iPhone to the same network as your Chromecast.

What if my TV doesn't have Chromecast built in?

You can plug a Chromecast device into an HDMI port on any TV. A standard Chromecast costs around $30 to $50 and works with any TV that has an available HDMI input. Once plugged in and set up through the Google Home app, it works the same way as a built-in Chromecast.

Can I cast while using other apps on my iPhone?

Yes. Once you start casting, your iPhone is free to do other things. You can check email, browse the web, or use other apps while video or music plays on your TV. The content continues on the TV even if you lock your iPhone or switch apps.

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.