The Basic Steps to Cast from Your Phone or Computer

Casting to a Chromecast device means sending video, audio, or your entire screen from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV. The process differs slightly depending on what you're casting from, but the core idea is the same: your device finds the Chromecast on your home network and sends the content to it.

On an Android phone or tablet, open the app you want to cast from — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or any other app with a cast button. Look for the cast icon, which looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner. Tap it, select your Chromecast device from the list, and the content plays on your TV. Your phone becomes a remote; you can pause, skip, or adjust volume from the screen.

On an iPhone or iPad, the process is similar for apps that support casting. Open the app, find the cast icon or AirPlay button, and select your Chromecast. Some apps on iOS use AirPlay instead of the standard cast button, so check the app's menu if you don't see a cast icon when ready.

On a Windows or Mac computer, you can cast your entire screen or just a single window. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select "Cast", choose your Chromecast device, and pick whether you want to cast your whole screen or just a tab. The tab option is useful if you want to keep other windows private.

Key Takeaways

  • Most apps with video or music have a cast button that looks like a rectangle with curved lines; tap it and select your Chromecast device.
  • Your phone or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast for casting to work.
  • When you cast, your device acts as a remote — you can pause, skip, or stop from your phone while the content plays on the TV.
  • Casting from a Chrome browser tab lets you share just that tab, while casting your whole screen shares everything on your monitor.
  • If you don't see your Chromecast in the device list, restart both the Chromecast and your phone or computer, then try again.

Make Sure Your Devices Are on the Same Network

Casting only works when your phone, computer, and Chromecast are all connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If your Chromecast is on your home network but your phone is on a mobile hotspot or a different Wi-Fi network, the cast button won't find the device.

Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm it's connected to the same network name (SSID) as your Chromecast. If you're unsure which network your Chromecast is on, open the Google Home app on your phone, select your Chromecast device, tap the settings icon, and look for the network information. Match your phone to that same network and try casting again.

Casting from Different Types of Apps

Not every app supports casting, but most major ones do. YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, Pandora, and Google Play Music all have built-in cast buttons. When you open one of these apps, look for the cast icon — it's usually in the top right corner or in the playback controls.

Some apps let you cast only certain content. For example, you might be able to cast a YouTube video but not a YouTube Shorts clip. If you don't see a cast button in an app you expected to find one in, that app may not support casting, or the feature may not be available for the specific content you're trying to play.

If an app doesn't have a native cast button, you can still cast it by casting your entire phone screen or your browser tab. This sends everything on your screen to the TV, so your phone acts as a full remote. The downside is that your screen stays on and uses battery, and the video quality may be lower than a native cast.

Casting Your Entire Screen or Browser Tab

If you're using a computer, you have two options in Chrome: cast your whole screen or cast just the current tab. Casting a tab is useful when you want to share a video or website without showing your desktop, open tabs, or notifications. Casting your whole screen shares everything — useful for presentations or when you want full control from your computer.

To cast a tab in Chrome, click the three-dot menu, select "Cast", choose your Chromecast, and then select "Cast tab". To cast your whole screen, follow the same steps but select "Cast desktop" instead. Your computer screen will appear on the TV, and you can move your mouse and click normally.

On Android phones, you can cast your entire screen by going to Settings, selecting "Connected devices" or "Display", finding "Cast" or "Screen cast", and selecting your Chromecast. This shares everything on your phone's screen, including notifications and any apps you open. It's slower than casting from an app directly, so use it only when the app you want doesn't have a native cast button.

Troubleshooting When Casting Doesn't Work

If you tap the cast button and don't see your Chromecast in the list, the most common cause is that your phone or computer isn't on the same Wi-Fi network as the device. Check your network settings first. If both devices are on the same network and the Chromecast still doesn't appear, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Restart your phone or computer as well.

If the cast button appears but the connection drops or the video stutters, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Move your phone closer to the router or Chromecast, or check whether other devices are using a lot of bandwidth. If you're casting from a computer on a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band and your Chromecast is on 2.4 GHz, they may not see each other — check your router settings to confirm both devices are on the same band.

Some apps require you to be signed in to cast. If you're trying to cast from Netflix or Spotify and it's not working, make sure you're logged into the app on your phone. A few apps also restrict casting to paid subscribers, so check whether your account has casting permissions.

Controlling Playback While Casting

Once you've started casting, your phone or computer becomes a remote. You can pause, play, skip forward or backward, and adjust volume from your device's screen. The TV screen shows the video or content, and your phone shows the playback controls.

You can lock your phone, put it to sleep, or even switch to another app while casting continues. The content keeps playing on the TV. If you open a different app on your phone, the cast may pause or stop depending on the app — some apps pause when you leave them, while others keep playing in the background.

To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting", or straightforward close the app. The content stops on the TV, and your phone is no longer controlling the Chromecast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be on Wi-Fi to cast?

Yes, your phone or computer and your Chromecast must both be on the same Wi-Fi network. You cannot cast over Bluetooth or cellular data. If you're away from home, you can cast to a Chromecast on a different network only if you've set up remote casting in the Google Home app, which requires a Google account and additional setup.

Can I cast from my iPhone to Chromecast?

Yes, but only from apps that support Chromecast. Most major apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify work on iPhone. Some apps use AirPlay instead of Chromecast, so check the app's menu. You cannot cast your entire iPhone screen to Chromecast the way you can on Android — that feature is limited to Android devices.

What happens to my phone while I'm casting?

Your phone acts as a remote. You can lock it, switch apps, or put it to sleep and casting usually continues. Some apps pause when you leave them, so test with the app you're using. Your phone doesn't need to stay on the same screen as long as it's connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Can multiple people cast to the same Chromecast at the same time?

No, only one device can cast at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you're already casting, their content will take over and yours will stop. Some Chromecast devices have a guest mode that lets visitors cast without being on your home network, but only one person can cast at any moment.

Why does casting stop when I close the app?

Some apps pause or stop casting when you close them or switch to another app. This is by design in many apps to save battery and bandwidth. Other apps continue casting in the background. If you want casting to continue uninterrupted, keep the app open or test whether your specific app supports background casting.