Yes, you can use Chromecast on iPhone, but only to send video and audio to your TV
Chromecast works with iPhone, but not in the way it works with Android phones. You cannot mirror your entire iPhone screen to a TV through Chromecast. Instead, you can cast specific apps — mainly video and music apps — directly to a Chromecast device. The apps themselves send the video or audio stream to your TV; your iPhone is just the remote control.
This matters because it changes what you can actually do. You can cast Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, or Disney+ from your iPhone to a Chromecast-connected TV. You cannot cast your email, your photos app, your web browser, or anything else that is not built to work with Chromecast. The app has to support casting for it to work.
Key Takeaways
- Chromecast on iPhone works only with apps that have built-in casting support, not with screen mirroring of your entire phone.
- Video apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+, and music apps like Spotify and Apple Music, typically support Chromecast casting from iPhone.
- Your iPhone and Chromecast device must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
- If you need to mirror your entire screen, you will need an Apple TV instead of a Chromecast.
Which apps work with Chromecast on iPhone
The main apps that support Chromecast casting from iPhone are video streaming services. Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Google Play Movies all have a cast button built into their iPhone apps. When you open one of these apps and tap the cast icon (usually three curved lines in the top or bottom corner), you will see a list of Chromecast devices on your network. Tap the device name and the video plays on your TV.
Music and podcast apps also work. Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Google Podcasts all support casting. The process is the same: open the app, find the cast button, select your Chromecast device, and the audio plays through your TV speakers.
Some lesser-known apps support casting too — Plex, Twitch, and Pandora are examples. The only way to know if an app you use supports Chromecast is to open it and look for a cast icon. If the icon is not there, that app does not support casting to Chromecast from iPhone.
How to set up Chromecast to work with iPhone
Before you can cast from your iPhone, your Chromecast device must be plugged into your TV and set up. Plug the Chromecast into an HDMI port on your TV, plug the power cable into a wall outlet, and then use the Google Home app on any device (iPhone, Android phone, or computer) to complete the setup. The app will ask you to connect the Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network and give it a name.
Once the Chromecast is set up and on your Wi-Fi network, your iPhone will see it automatically when you open a compatible app and tap the cast button. You do not need to pair your iPhone to the Chromecast or install anything else. As long as both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, casting will work.
If your iPhone does not see the Chromecast device when you tap the cast button, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. If your iPhone is on a guest network and your Chromecast is on the main network, they cannot see each other. Switch your iPhone to the same network as the Chromecast and try again.
What to do if an app does not have a cast button
If you want to use an app that does not support Chromecast casting, your options are limited on iPhone. You cannot mirror your entire screen like you can on Android phones. Your best option is to use AirPlay instead, which is Apple's casting system. If you have an Apple TV connected to your TV, you can use AirPlay to mirror your iPhone screen or cast video from apps that support AirPlay.
If you do not have an Apple TV and the app you want to use does not support Chromecast, you will need to either use the app on a different device (like an Android phone or a computer with a Chromecast) or watch on your iPhone itself. There is no workaround to cast unsupported apps from iPhone to a Chromecast TV.
Chromecast on iPhone versus Android phones
Android phones can do something iPhone cannot: mirror the entire screen to a Chromecast device. This means you can cast anything on your Android phone to your TV — your email, your photos, your web browser, anything. iPhone does not have this feature. You are limited to apps that have built-in casting support.
The reason is technical. Google built Chromecast and Android at the same company, so they integrated screen mirroring into Android from the start. Apple does not allow Chromecast to mirror the iPhone screen because Apple wants users to buy Apple TV instead. If screen mirroring is important to you and you use iPhone, Apple TV is the product you need.
Troubleshooting casting problems from iPhone
If you tap the cast button in an app and your Chromecast device does not appear, the most common cause is that your iPhone and Chromecast are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network name as your Chromecast. If you are on a guest network, switch to the main network.
If both devices are on the same network and the Chromecast still does not appear, restart your Chromecast device. Unplug it from power for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to boot up. Then try casting again. If that does not work, restart your iPhone and try once more.
If the cast button appears but the video or audio does not play on your TV, check that your TV is set to the correct HDMI input. The Chromecast device needs to be on the HDMI port your TV is currently displaying. Use your TV remote to switch to the right input, then try casting again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mirror my entire iPhone screen to a Chromecast?
No. iPhone does not support screen mirroring to Chromecast. You can only cast apps that have built-in casting support. If you need to mirror your entire screen, you will need an Apple TV instead.
Do I need to read anything to use Chromecast on my iPhone?
No. If the app you want to cast from already supports Chromecast, the cast button is already built in. You do not need to install a separate app or update anything beyond the app itself.
Can I use Chromecast on iPhone without Wi-Fi?
No. Both your iPhone and your Chromecast device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Chromecast does not work over Bluetooth or cellular data.
What if my Chromecast is on a different Wi-Fi network than my iPhone?
Your iPhone will not see the Chromecast device. Connect your iPhone to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. If you have a guest network, move your Chromecast to the main network or connect your iPhone to the guest network where the Chromecast is.
Can I control the video on my TV after I start casting from iPhone?
Yes. Your iPhone becomes a remote control once casting starts. You can pause, play, skip, and adjust volume from your iPhone while the video plays on your TV. You can also use your TV remote to control basic functions like volume and power.