Yes, Chromecast works with iPhone, but not the way it works with Android

Chromecast does work with iPhone, but Google built it differently than it works on Android phones. On Android, you can cast almost any app directly to your TV. On iPhone, you are limited to apps that have built-in casting support — you cannot cast your entire screen the way Android users can. This means some apps work seamlessly, and others do not work at all.

The core limitation comes down to how iOS handles background processes. Apple does not let Chromecast mirror your iPhone screen to a TV the way it mirrors to an Apple TV. Instead, individual apps — like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and Disney+ — have their own cast buttons built in. When you tap that button, the app sends video or audio directly to your Chromecast device, not a copy of your screen.

Your Chromecast device itself does not care whether it is connected to an iPhone or Android phone. The difference is in what your phone's operating system allows the Chromecast app to do.

Key Takeaways

  • Chromecast works with iPhone only through apps that have a built-in cast button, not through screen mirroring.
  • Popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Disney+, and Hulu all support casting from iPhone to Chromecast.
  • You need the Google Home app installed on your iPhone to set up and manage your Chromecast device.
  • iPhone cannot cast its entire screen to Chromecast, though you can use AirPlay to cast to an Apple TV instead.

Which apps actually have cast buttons for iPhone

The apps that work best with Chromecast on iPhone are the ones Google owns or has partnered with. YouTube, Google Play Music, Google Photos, and Google Podcasts all have cast buttons. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, Pandora, and HBO Max also support casting from iPhone.

The cast button usually appears in the top right or bottom right corner of the app, or in the playback controls. It looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner — the same icon across all apps. Tap it, select your Chromecast device from the list, and the content streams to your TV while your iPhone controls playback.

If an app does not have a cast button, it does not support Chromecast on iPhone. There is no workaround through the Chromecast app itself. You would need to use a different app, use a different casting method (like AirPlay to Apple TV), or play the content on your phone and hold it up to the TV.

How to set up Chromecast on your iPhone

read the Google Home app from the App Store and open it. Make sure your iPhone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device. Tap the plus icon in the top left corner, then select "Set up device" and choose "Set up a new device." The app will search for your Chromecast and walk you through naming it and connecting it to your Wi-Fi.

Once setup is complete, open any app with a cast button. Tap the cast icon, and your Chromecast device should appear in the list. Select it, and the content will start playing on your TV. Your iPhone becomes the remote — you can pause, rewind, skip, and adjust volume from your phone while the video or music plays on the TV.

If your Chromecast does not appear in the app list, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are on different networks — for example, your phone is on 5GHz and your Chromecast is on 2.4GHz — they cannot see each other. Check your router settings or move closer to the router and try again.

Why iPhone cannot do full screen casting like Android

Android phones can cast their entire screen to Chromecast because Google controls both the phone operating system and the casting protocol. Apple does not allow third-party apps to mirror the iPhone screen to non-Apple devices. This is a deliberate restriction built into iOS, not a limitation of Chromecast itself.

If you need to cast your entire iPhone screen to a TV, your only option is AirPlay to an Apple TV. AirPlay works with iPhones, iPads, and Macs, but it requires an Apple TV device, not a Chromecast. Some smart TVs have AirPlay built in, but Chromecast devices do not.

What to do if an app does not have a cast button

If you want to watch something on an app that does not support Chromecast, you have a few options. The simplest is to use a different app that does support casting — for example, if one streaming service has the show and another does not, check which one has a cast button. Many shows and movies are available on multiple platforms.

If the content is only on an app without casting support, you can play it on your iPhone and use an HDMI cable to connect your phone to the TV through a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter. This is slower and less convenient than casting, but it works. You can also use AirPlay if your TV supports it, though again, this requires an Apple TV or a compatible smart TV.

Another option is to check whether the content is available on a web browser. Some streaming services let you watch through their website on a computer, which you could then cast to Chromecast using a laptop or desktop.

Chromecast vs. AirPlay: which should you use

If you own both a Chromecast and an Apple TV, the choice depends on what you are trying to do. For casting individual apps like Netflix or Spotify, both work equally well on iPhone — just tap the cast button and select your device. For screen mirroring your entire iPhone, only AirPlay works.

Chromecast is usually cheaper than Apple TV, and it works with Android phones as well as iPhones. If you have both types of phones in your household, Chromecast is the more flexible choice. If you are all-in on Apple devices and want seamless integration, Apple TV offers screen mirroring and deeper integration with iOS features like AirDrop and Handoff.

For most people with an iPhone, Chromecast works fine for the apps you actually use — Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and others. The lack of screen mirroring only matters if you regularly need to show your entire phone screen on a TV, which is uncommon for most users.

Troubleshooting: Chromecast not showing up on iPhone

If you set up your Chromecast but it does not appear when you tap the cast button in an app, start by checking your Wi-Fi connection. Both your iPhone and Chromecast must be on the same network. If your router broadcasts separate 5GHz and 2.4GHz networks with different names, make sure both devices are on the same one.

Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. While it restarts, restart your iPhone as well. Open the Google Home app and check that your Chromecast is listed as "Connected" — if it shows "Offline," your Wi-Fi connection is the problem. Move your Chromecast closer to the router or restart your router.

If the Chromecast is connected in the Google Home app but still does not appear in the cast menu of your streaming app, try closing and reopening the app. Some apps cache the list of available devices and do not refresh it when ready. If that does not work, sign out of the app and sign back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from Safari on my iPhone to Chromecast?

No. Safari does not have a built-in cast button, and Apple does not allow it. If you want to watch a video from a website, you would need to use the official app for that service if it has one, or use a computer to cast instead.

What if I want to show a photo or video from my iPhone camera roll on the TV?

Open Google Photos on your iPhone, select the photo or video, tap the cast icon, and select your Chromecast. Google Photos supports casting from iPhone. If you use a different photo app, check whether it has a cast button — most do not.

Does Chromecast work on iPhone over cellular, or does it need Wi-Fi?

Chromecast requires Wi-Fi. Both your iPhone and your Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Cellular data on your phone will not work. If you are away from home, you cannot cast to a Chromecast on your home Wi-Fi unless you set up remote casting in the Google Home app, which requires a Google account.

Can I use Chromecast with an older iPhone?

Yes. Chromecast works with any iPhone that can run a recent version of iOS and read the Google Home app. Check the App Store to see whether your iPhone model can install the latest version of Google Home — if it can, Chromecast will work.

What happens if I close the app while casting?

The content stops playing. Unlike some casting systems, Chromecast does not continue playing on the TV if you close the app on your iPhone. You need to keep the app open to control playback, though you can lock your iPhone screen and the casting will continue.