Yes, you can play Spotify on Chromecast, but the method depends on what device you're casting from
Spotify works with Chromecast, but not in the way you might expect. You cannot cast Spotify directly from the Spotify app on most phones or computers the way you cast a YouTube video. Instead, you use your phone or computer to control playback on a Chromecast-connected speaker or TV, similar to how AirPlay works on Apple devices. The audio streams directly from Spotify's servers to your Chromecast device, not through your phone.
The exact steps depend on whether you're using an Android phone, an iPhone, a Mac, or a Windows computer. Each has a slightly different interface, but the underlying process is the same: open Spotify, tap or click the device selector, choose your Chromecast device, and play your music.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify on Android phones has a built-in Chromecast button in the playback screen that lets you send music directly to any Chromecast device on your network.
- iPhone and iPad users must use AirPlay to send Spotify to an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible speaker, not Chromecast—standard Chromecast devices do not work with AirPlay.
- On a computer (Mac or Windows), you can cast Spotify through the Google Home app or by using the Chromecast button in the Spotify desktop app if you have Spotify Premium.
- Your Chromecast device and your phone or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
- Spotify Free accounts can cast, but some features like offline listening do not work during casting.
Casting from an Android phone
Open the Spotify app and start playing any song, playlist, or podcast. Look at the bottom right of the playback screen—you will see a small icon that looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner. This is the Chromecast button. Tap it.
A list of available Chromecast devices on your network will appear. Select the Chromecast device or speaker you want to use. Spotify will when ready begin streaming to that device, and you will see the device name displayed at the bottom of the screen. Your phone screen now acts as a remote control. You can pause, skip, adjust volume, and change songs from your phone while the audio plays through the Chromecast speaker or TV.
If you do not see the Chromecast button, make sure your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device. If it still does not appear, restart both your phone and your Chromecast device, then try again.
Casting from an iPhone or iPad
Standard Chromecast devices do not work with iPhones or iPads. Apple devices use AirPlay, a different casting technology. If you have an Apple TV or an AirPlay-compatible speaker (such as some Sonos or Beats devices), you can use AirPlay to send Spotify to those devices instead.
To use AirPlay on an iPhone, open Spotify and begin playing music. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center, then tap the AirPlay icon (it looks like a triangle with a circle below it). Select your Apple TV or AirPlay speaker from the list. Spotify will stream to that device, and you control playback from your phone.
If you own a standard Chromecast device and an iPhone, you will need to use an Android phone or a computer to cast Spotify to it. There is no workaround for this limitation—it is a technical difference between how Apple and Google handle audio streaming.
Casting from a Mac or Windows computer
On a Mac or Windows computer, you have two options: use the Spotify desktop app or use the Google Home app.
If you have Spotify Premium, open the Spotify desktop app and play a song. Look for the Chromecast icon (the rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol) in the playback controls at the bottom of the window. Click it and select your Chromecast device. Playback will transfer to your Chromecast device, and you can control it from your computer.
If you do not see the Chromecast button in Spotify, or if you use Spotify Free, open the Google Home app on your computer instead. Click the device you want to cast to, then select "Cast audio" or "Cast media." Search for Spotify in the app's search function, and it will open Spotify in a browser window where you can play music. The audio will stream to your Chromecast device.
What to do if casting is not working
The most common reason casting fails is that your device and your 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 both devices to the same band.
If they are on the same network and casting still does not work, restart your Chromecast device by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Then restart the Spotify app on your phone or computer. Open Spotify again and look for the Chromecast button—it should now appear.
If the Chromecast button appears but disappears when you tap it, or if the connection drops after a few seconds, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Move your Chromecast device closer to your router or reduce the number of devices connected to your network.
Spotify Free versus Spotify Premium when casting
Both Spotify Free and Spotify Premium accounts can cast to Chromecast devices. However, Spotify Free has some limitations during casting. You cannot use offline downloads while casting—your device must stay connected to the internet. You also cannot skip forward as many times as you want on Free; Premium accounts have unlimited skips.
If you are a Free user and want to skip a song while casting, you may see a message saying you have reached your skip limit. Waiting a short time usually resets this limit, but Premium users do not face this restriction at all.
Casting Spotify to a TV versus a speaker
Chromecast devices come in two main types: Chromecast Audio (a speaker-only device) and Chromecast built into TVs or soundbars. The casting process is identical for both, but the experience is different.
When you cast to a Chromecast Audio device or a speaker, only the audio plays—there is no visual display on your phone. When you cast to a TV with Chromecast built in, Spotify will display album art, the current song title, and playback controls on your TV screen. This is useful if you want to see what is playing without looking at your phone.
Some newer Chromecast devices also support Google TV, which means you can see a full Spotify interface on your TV screen, similar to using Spotify on a computer. The casting method remains the same—you still tap the Chromecast button in the Spotify app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cast Spotify to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time?
No. Spotify only allows you to cast to one Chromecast device at a time. If you want to play music in multiple rooms, you would need to cast to one device, stop it, then cast to another. Some Chromecast devices support speaker groups through the Google Home app, which lets you play the same audio in multiple rooms, but this requires setting up the group in Google Home first.
Do I need Spotify Premium to cast?
No. Both Spotify Free and Spotify Premium accounts can cast to Chromecast. Free accounts have some limitations, such as restricted skipping and no offline playback during casting, but casting itself is available to all users.
What if my Chromecast device does not show up in Spotify?
Make sure your phone or computer and your Chromecast device are on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are, restart both devices and try again. If the Chromecast still does not appear, check that Spotify is up to date by opening your phone's app store or visiting spotify.com on a computer. Older versions of Spotify sometimes have trouble finding Chromecast devices.
Can I use Spotify offline while casting?
No. When you cast Spotify to a Chromecast device, the audio streams directly from Spotify's servers, so your phone or computer must have an active internet connection. Offline downloads do not work during casting. If your internet drops, playback will stop.
Does casting Spotify drain my phone battery?
Casting uses less battery than playing audio directly through your phone's speaker, because your phone is only sending control signals, not playing the audio itself. However, your phone screen will still use battery if you keep it on. You can lock your phone or put it to sleep while casting—playback will continue on your Chromecast device.