AirPlay and Chromecast Are Not Compatible

AirPlay does not work with Chromecast. They are two separate casting systems built by different companies — Apple makes AirPlay, Google makes Chromecast — and they do not speak to each other. If you have an Apple device and a Chromecast, you cannot use AirPlay to send video or audio to that Chromecast.

This matters because the two systems look similar on the surface: both let you send content from your phone or computer to a TV or speaker. But they use different technology underneath, and your device will only work with the system it was designed for.

The good news is that most devices can use both systems if you have the right hardware. An iPhone can cast to a Chromecast through certain apps, and an Android phone can cast to AirPlay speakers through some apps as well. But the native casting features — the ones built into the operating system — stay locked to their own ecosystems.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay is Apple's casting system; Chromecast is Google's. They do not work together.
  • An iPhone cannot use AirPlay to send video to a Chromecast, but some apps like YouTube let you cast to Chromecast from an iPhone anyway.
  • A Mac or iPad can use AirPlay to send content to AirPlay-compatible speakers and displays, but not to a Chromecast.
  • If you own both Apple and Google devices, you may need separate casting hardware for each ecosystem, or rely on apps that support both systems.

How AirPlay Works and What It Reaches

AirPlay is built into Apple's operating systems — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS. When you swipe up from the bottom of an iPhone or iPad, you see the Control Center, and in that menu is an AirPlay icon. Tap it, and your device searches for AirPlay-compatible receivers on your network.

Those receivers include Apple TV boxes, AirPlay 2 speakers (made by companies like Sonos, Bose, and others), and AirPlay 2 displays. You can also use AirPlay to mirror your entire screen to an Apple TV, or to send just audio to a compatible speaker. The system is closed — only Apple devices and hardware certified by Apple to work with AirPlay will appear in that menu.

Chromecast does not appear in that menu. A Chromecast is a Google device, and Google does not license AirPlay. So no matter how new your iPhone is or how close your Chromecast is to your phone, AirPlay will never see it.

How Chromecast Works and What It Reaches

Chromecast is Google's casting system, built into Android phones, tablets, and Chromebooks. It also lives in the Chrome web browser on Windows and Mac computers. When you tap the Cast button in a compatible app — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos — your device searches for Chromecast receivers on the same Wi-Fi network.

Those receivers include Chromecast devices plugged into TVs, Google Nest speakers, and other Google Cast-compatible hardware. Unlike AirPlay, Chromecast is more open: Google licenses the technology to other manufacturers, so you can find Chromecast built into some smart TVs, soundbars, and displays from brands like Sony, LG, and others.

An iPhone or iPad cannot use the native Chromecast feature because it is not built into iOS or iPadOS. However, some apps — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Home — include their own Cast buttons that work on iPhones. These buttons let you cast to Chromecast from an Apple device, even though AirPlay does not.

When You Have Both Apple and Google Devices

If you own an iPhone and a Chromecast, you have two options. The first is to use apps that support casting to Chromecast. YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos, and many others have built-in Cast buttons that work on iPhones. Open the app, tap Cast, pick your Chromecast, and the content plays on your TV. This works well for streaming services and music.

The second option is to use a different casting method. You can use Airplay to send content to an Apple TV instead, or you can buy a separate AirPlay speaker or display if you want audio-only casting. If you want to stick with Chromecast, you can use an Android phone or a Chromebook to cast to it with the native Chromecast feature.

Some people solve this by having both systems in their home — an Apple TV for AirPlay and a Chromecast for Google Cast. This gives you flexibility, but it also means buying two pieces of hardware and managing two separate ecosystems.

Apps That Cast to Chromecast From an iPhone

Many popular apps include Cast buttons that work on iPhones, even though AirPlay does not reach Chromecast. YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, Pandora, Google Photos, and Google Home all have Cast buttons built in. When you open one of these apps on your iPhone, look for a Cast icon — usually a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner — and tap it to see your available Chromecast devices.

Not every app supports this. Smaller streaming services, local news apps, and some music services do not have Cast buttons. If an app does not have a Cast button, you cannot cast from it to a Chromecast, even if the content is available on Chromecast through another app.

This is different from AirPlay, where you can mirror your entire screen to an Apple TV and watch almost anything. With Chromecast from an iPhone, you are limited to apps that have built-in Cast support.

Screen Mirroring as an Alternative

If you want to send everything on your iPhone screen to a Chromecast, you cannot do it with AirPlay or a native Cast feature. However, some third-party apps claim to mirror iOS screens to Chromecast. These apps work by using your phone's screen recording feature and sending that video stream to the Chromecast. The quality is usually lower than native casting, and there can be lag.

A simpler alternative is to use an Apple TV instead. If you connect an Apple TV to the same TV as your Chromecast, you can use AirPlay to mirror your iPhone screen to the Apple TV. This is faster and more reliable than third-party mirroring apps.

For most people, using app-specific Cast buttons is the most practical solution. It works well for the services you use most, and you do not have to buy extra hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPlay to cast to a Chromecast?

No. AirPlay only works with Apple devices and AirPlay-certified hardware. Chromecast is a Google product and does not support AirPlay. You would need to use an app with a built-in Cast button, or use an Apple TV instead.

Can I cast from an iPhone to a Chromecast at all?

Yes, but only through apps that have a Cast button built in, such as YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Google Photos. You cannot use the native AirPlay feature, and you cannot mirror your entire screen to a Chromecast from an iPhone.

What if I want to use both AirPlay and Chromecast in my home?

You can buy both an Apple TV (for AirPlay) and a Chromecast (for Google Cast). This gives you flexibility to use either system depending on your device and the app you are using. Some people also use AirPlay speakers and Chromecast speakers in different rooms.

Is there a device that works with both AirPlay and Chromecast?

Some smart TVs and soundbars support both AirPlay and Chromecast, but they are less common. Check the product specifications before buying. Most devices are built for one ecosystem or the other, not both.

Why don't Apple and Google make their systems compatible?

AirPlay and Chromecast are owned by competing companies with different business models. Apple controls its ecosystem tightly, while Google licenses Chromecast more widely. They have no incentive to make their systems work together, so they remain separate.