The basic steps to cast YouTube to your Chromecast device
To cast YouTube to a Chromecast-connected TV, open the YouTube app or website on your phone, tablet, or computer, tap or click the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), select your Chromecast device from the list, and the video will start playing on your TV. Your phone or computer becomes a remote — you can pause, rewind, adjust volume, and browse for new videos without interrupting playback on the screen.
The cast icon appears in slightly different places depending on what device you're using, but it's always visible once you've started a video or are on the YouTube home page. If you don't see it, make sure your phone, tablet, or computer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device.
Key Takeaways
- The cast icon appears on YouTube's app and website once you're signed in and connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Chromecast.
- Tap or click the cast icon, choose your Chromecast device, and the video streams to your TV while your phone or computer controls playback.
- You can cast from the YouTube app on Android and iOS, from a web browser on Windows or Mac, or from the YouTube app on some smart TVs.
- If the cast icon doesn't appear, restart your Chromecast device and make sure all devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Casting pauses automatically if you disconnect from Wi-Fi or move out of range, but resumes when you reconnect.
Casting from the YouTube app on your phone or tablet
Open the YouTube app and sign in with your Google account. Find a video you want to watch and tap the cast icon — it's in the top right corner of the screen, next to the search bar. A menu will appear showing all available Chromecast devices on your network. Tap the device name, and the video will begin playing on your TV within a few seconds.
Once the video is casting, your phone or tablet becomes the control panel. You can pause, play, skip forward or backward, adjust the volume, and search for new videos without affecting what's on the TV. The video continues playing even if you lock your phone or switch to another app, though you won't see the video itself — only the controls.
If you want to stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting" or choose a different device. The video will stop on your TV, and you can resume it on your phone if you want.
Casting from YouTube on a web browser
On a computer running Windows or Mac, open YouTube in any web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge all work). Sign in to your Google account, find a video, and look for the cast icon in the video player controls — it's usually in the bottom right corner, near the fullscreen button. Click it and select your Chromecast device from the dropdown menu.
The video will stream to your TV, and you can control it from your browser just as you would on a phone. You can minimize the browser window, switch to other tabs, or even close the browser entirely — the video will keep playing on your TV. To stop casting, click the cast icon again and select "Stop casting."
What to do if the cast icon doesn't appear
The most common reason the cast icon is missing is that your phone, tablet, or computer isn't connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device. Check your device's Wi-Fi settings and make sure you're on the same network. Both devices need to be able to see each other on the network for casting to work.
If you're on the correct network and still don't see the cast icon, restart your Chromecast device by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Then restart the YouTube app or refresh the web page. If the icon still doesn't appear, restart your phone, tablet, or computer. These steps usually resolve connection issues between devices.
Make sure you're signed into YouTube with a Google account. The cast feature requires you to be logged in — if you're browsing YouTube without signing in, the cast icon won't show up.
Casting from other devices and apps
Some smart TVs have the YouTube app built in, and many of them support casting as well. If your TV has YouTube installed, you can cast to it from your phone or computer using the same cast icon method. The experience is the same — your TV plays the video while your phone or computer acts as the remote.
You can also cast YouTube from a Chromebook (a laptop running Chrome OS) using the same process. The cast icon appears in the video player controls, and selecting your Chromecast device will stream the video to your TV.
Troubleshooting casting problems
If a video starts casting but then stops or buffers frequently, the issue is usually Wi-Fi signal strength. Move your Chromecast device closer to your router, or move your phone or computer closer to the router. A weak connection between either device and the Wi-Fi network will cause playback to stutter or drop.
If the video casts but the audio doesn't come through, check the volume on your TV itself — it may be muted or turned down. Also check the volume controls in the YouTube app or browser. If you're casting from a computer, make sure your computer's audio isn't muted in the system settings.
If casting stops when you lock your phone, this is normal behavior on some Android devices. To keep casting while your phone is locked, go to your phone's settings, find the app permissions for YouTube, and make sure it has permission to run in the background. On iPhones and iPads, casting usually continues even when the device is locked.
Casting multiple videos in a row
When you cast a video to your Chromecast, you can queue up more videos to play after it finishes. On the YouTube app, tap the "Up next" section below the video player and add videos to the queue. These will play automatically on your TV once the current video ends, without you having to tap cast again.
On a web browser, the "Up next" queue appears on the right side of the video player. Click videos in the queue to rearrange them, or click the "X" next to a video to remove it. Your Chromecast will play through the entire queue without interruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cast YouTube while using my phone for other things?
Yes. Once you've cast a video, your phone or tablet becomes a remote control. You can lock the screen, switch to other apps, or even close YouTube entirely — the video keeps playing on your TV. Your device just needs to stay connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
What happens if I lose Wi-Fi while casting?
The video will pause on your TV. Once you reconnect to Wi-Fi, you can tap the cast icon again and resume playback from where it stopped. If you don't reconnect within a few minutes, the Chromecast will stop the stream.
Can I cast YouTube from my computer to a Chromecast?
Yes. Open YouTube in any web browser on Windows or Mac, find the cast icon in the video player controls, and select your Chromecast device. The process is the same as casting from a phone or tablet.
Do I need a YouTube account to cast?
You need to be signed into a Google account to see the cast icon. You can watch YouTube without signing in, but the cast feature won't appear until you log in.
Can I cast to multiple Chromecast devices at once?
No. You can only cast to one Chromecast device at a time from a single phone or computer. If you want to play YouTube on a different TV, you'll need to stop casting to the first device and start casting to the second one.