Yes, you can cast Netflix to your TV with Chromecast

Netflix works with Chromecast on most devices. You start the show or movie on your phone, tablet, or computer, tap the cast icon, pick your Chromecast device, and Netflix plays on your TV while you control it from your hand. The picture and sound come through your TV, not your phone — your phone just sends the signal and acts as a remote.

The setup takes a few minutes the first time. After that, casting is as straightforward as tapping one button. Netflix does not charge extra for casting, and you do not need a special subscription tier.

Key Takeaways

  • Chromecast and Netflix work together on phones, tablets, and computers running Android, iOS, Windows, or Mac.
  • Your Chromecast device must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the device you are casting from.
  • You tap the cast icon inside the Netflix app, select your Chromecast, and the show plays on your TV.
  • If the cast icon does not appear, your devices may not be on the same network or your Netflix app may need an update.

What you need before you start casting

You need three things: a Chromecast device plugged into your TV, a phone or tablet with the Netflix app (or a computer with Netflix open in a web browser), and both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Your Chromecast and your phone do not talk to each other directly — they both connect to your router, and that connection is what makes casting work.

Check that your Netflix app is up to date. On Android, open the Google Play Store, search for Netflix, and tap Update if you see it. On iPhone or iPad, open the App Store, tap your profile icon, scroll to Netflix, and tap Update if available. On a computer, Netflix updates itself in the browser, so you do not need to do anything.

How to cast Netflix from your phone or tablet

Open Netflix and start playing the show or movie you want to watch. Look for the cast icon — it looks like a rectangle with a small triangle in the bottom left corner. On most phones it appears in the top right or bottom right of the screen. Tap it.

A list of devices on your network appears. Tap the name of your Chromecast. Netflix will pause for a moment, then the show starts playing on your TV. Your phone screen shows what is playing and lets you pause, rewind, or skip forward. The volume and brightness controls on your TV remote work normally.

To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select Stop casting. The show stops on your TV, but you can keep watching on your phone if you want.

How to cast Netflix from a computer

Open Netflix in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or another browser that supports casting. Start playing a show or movie. Look for the cast icon in the top right corner of the browser window — it looks the same as on phones. Click it.

A menu appears showing devices on your network. Click your Chromecast. The show starts playing on your TV. Your computer screen shows the Netflix page, and you can close the browser window without stopping the show — the cast continues until you click the cast icon again and select Stop casting.

Why the cast icon might not appear

The most common reason is that your phone and Chromecast are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both are connected to the same network name. If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, try connecting your phone to the same band your Chromecast uses — check your Chromecast's settings in the Google Home app to see which one it is on.

If the cast icon still does not show, restart your phone and your Chromecast. Unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the light to stop blinking. Then open Netflix again. If you are using a computer, try a different browser — Safari does not support casting, but Chrome and Edge do.

Make sure your Netflix app is the latest version. Older versions sometimes do not show the cast button. If you updated recently and it still does not work, try signing out of Netflix, closing the app completely, and signing back in.

What happens if casting stops or freezes

If the show stops playing on your TV but your phone still shows it is casting, your Wi-Fi connection may have dropped. Check that both devices are still connected to the network. If they are, tap the cast icon and select Stop casting, then try again.

If the picture freezes or lags, move your phone closer to your router or Chromecast. Walls and distance weaken Wi-Fi. If you have many devices on your network, try disconnecting a few and casting again. If the problem continues, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Casting Netflix on a TV that already has Netflix built in

Some TVs have Netflix built into the TV itself — you do not need a Chromecast to watch Netflix on them. If your TV has a Netflix app, you can open it directly on the TV and sign in. You do not need to cast from your phone.

However, if you prefer to cast anyway, you can still use Chromecast. Plug the Chromecast into an HDMI port on your TV, switch the TV to that HDMI input, and cast Netflix from your phone the same way. Some people cast because they like controlling playback from their phone, or because they want to use their phone for something else while Netflix plays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Chromecast if my phone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks?

No. Chromecast requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you have a guest network, make sure your phone and Chromecast are both on the main network, not the guest network.

Does casting Netflix use a lot of data?

Casting uses data the same way watching Netflix on your TV would. Netflix streams to your TV through your Wi-Fi, so it counts against your home internet usage, not your phone's data plan. If you have a data cap on your home internet, casting uses the same amount as any other way of watching.

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

No. One Netflix account can only cast to one device at a time. If you want to watch Netflix on two TVs in your house, you need either two separate Netflix accounts or two people using the same account on different devices (one casting, one watching on the TV's app).

What if my Chromecast is older — will it still work with Netflix?

Most older Chromecast devices work with Netflix, but very old models may not. If your Chromecast is more than five or six years old and casting does not work, check the model number on the back and search online for that model with "Netflix casting" to see if it is supported.

Do I need to pay extra to cast Netflix?

No. Casting is included with any Netflix subscription at no extra cost. You do not need a higher tier or a special plan to use Chromecast.