Yes, Chromecast works with iPhone, but only for certain apps

Your iPhone can send video and audio to a Chromecast device, but not in the same way an Android phone does. iPhone does not have a built-in system-wide casting feature like Android's screen mirroring. Instead, you cast from inside individual apps that support Chromecast — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos, and dozens of others. The app must have the Chromecast button built in; you cannot cast from Safari or mirror your entire screen the way Android users can.

The good news is that most major streaming apps already support Chromecast on iPhone. If you use YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or Spotify, you can cast to your Chromecast right now. The process takes one tap once you are in the app and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone can cast to Chromecast from apps like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Google Photos, but only if the app has a built-in Chromecast button.
  • Your iPhone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • iPhone cannot mirror its entire screen to Chromecast the way Android phones can — casting only works app-by-app.
  • You do not need to pair or sign into Chromecast separately; just tap the cast button inside the app you are using.

Which apps work with Chromecast on iPhone

The major streaming services all support Chromecast casting from iPhone. YouTube, YouTube Music, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, Apple Music, Google Photos, Pandora, and Peacock all have the cast button built in. If you open one of these apps on your iPhone and see a cast icon (usually a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), you can send that content to your Chromecast.

Smaller apps and services vary. Some have Chromecast support, others do not. The easiest way to check is to look for the cast icon inside the app itself — if it is there, the app supports Chromecast. If you do not see it, that app does not have Chromecast built in.

One important limit: you cannot cast web pages from Safari or Chrome on iPhone. If you want to watch something in a web browser on your TV, you will need to use an Android phone, a computer, or a different casting method.

How to cast from your iPhone to Chromecast

First, make sure your iPhone and your Chromecast device are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Your Chromecast connects to Wi-Fi during setup; your iPhone connects the same way you normally do. Once both are on the same network, open any app that supports Chromecast — YouTube is the easiest to test with.

Start playing the video or music you want to watch. Look for the cast icon, which looks like a rectangle with three curved lines in the bottom right corner. Tap it. A list of available Chromecast devices will appear. Tap the name of the Chromecast you want to use. The content will start playing on your TV within a few seconds, and you can control playback from your iPhone.

Your iPhone screen will show the video title and playback controls while the content plays on your TV. You can lock your phone, switch apps, or even turn off the screen — the video keeps playing on your Chromecast. To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop Casting."

What to do if the cast button does not appear

If you do not see the cast icon in an app, check three things first. Make sure your iPhone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network — they must be on the same network to see each other. If they are on different networks (for example, if your Chromecast is on your home Wi-Fi and your iPhone is on a guest network), casting will not work.

Second, restart the app. Close it completely and open it again. Sometimes the cast button does not load on the first try. Third, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. If the cast button still does not appear after these steps, that app does not support Chromecast on iPhone.

If you see the cast button but your Chromecast does not appear in the list, your devices are not on the same network. Check your Wi-Fi settings on your iPhone and make sure you are connected to the same network name (SSID) as your Chromecast. Your router's settings or a network administrator can tell you which networks are available.

Chromecast on iPhone versus Android

Android phones have a system-wide casting feature called "Cast" or "Screen Mirroring" built into the operating system. This means you can cast from almost any app, including web browsers and apps that do not have their own cast button. You can also mirror your entire Android screen to your Chromecast.

iPhone does not have this system-wide feature. Apple uses AirPlay for wireless casting instead, which works with Apple TV but not with Chromecast. On iPhone, you are limited to casting from apps that have a built-in Chromecast button. You cannot mirror your entire screen or cast from Safari to a Chromecast device.

If you need to cast web pages or mirror your entire screen, you have two options: use an Android device, or use an Apple TV instead of a Chromecast (since iPhone works with AirPlay and Apple TV).

Troubleshooting common casting problems

If casting starts but stops after a few seconds, your Wi-Fi connection may be weak. Move your iPhone and Chromecast closer to your router, or check if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth. Streaming video uses significant data, and a weak connection will cause the stream to drop.

If the video plays on your TV but the audio does not, check your TV's volume and input settings. Make sure the TV is set to the correct input (HDMI port where your Chromecast is plugged in) and that the volume is not muted. If audio still does not work, try restarting the app and casting again.

If your Chromecast does not appear in the cast list at all, unplug your Chromecast for 30 seconds and plug it back in. Wait for the light to stop blinking (usually 1 to 2 minutes), then try casting again. If it still does not appear, restart your iPhone and your router as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from Apple Music or other Apple apps to Chromecast?

Apple Music does not support Chromecast on iPhone — it only works with AirPlay and Apple devices. However, Spotify, YouTube Music, and other third-party music apps do support Chromecast. If you want to cast music to a Chromecast, use one of those services instead.

Do I need to sign into Chromecast on my iPhone?

No. Chromecast does not require a separate sign-in. As long as your iPhone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network, you can cast when ready. Some apps (like Netflix) may ask you to sign in to the app itself, but that is different from signing into Chromecast.

Can I cast to Chromecast if my iPhone is on cellular data instead of Wi-Fi?

No. Your iPhone must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Cellular data does not work for casting. Connect your iPhone to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast, and casting will work.

What if I want to show a web page from Safari on my TV?

Chromecast does not support casting from Safari on iPhone. If you need to show a web page on your TV, use an Android phone with Chrome, a computer with a Chromecast extension, or switch to an Apple TV and use AirPlay instead.

Does Chromecast work with older iPhone models?

Chromecast works with any iPhone that can run a recent version of iOS and connect to Wi-Fi. There is no specific iPhone model requirement — if your iPhone can read the app and connect to your network, it can cast to Chromecast.