Screen mirroring with Chromecast means casting your entire phone or computer display to your TV in real time

To screen mirror with Chromecast, you connect your phone or computer to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device, then use your device's built-in casting feature to send your screen to the TV. The process takes about 30 seconds once everything is set up. Your Chromecast acts as the receiver—it displays whatever appears on your phone or computer screen, including apps, websites, photos, and video calls.

Screen mirroring is different from casting a single app or video. When you cast an app (like Netflix), only that app plays on the TV while you can use your phone for other things. When you screen mirror, your entire display shows on the TV, and your phone or computer controls everything you see.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone, computer, and Chromecast must all be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can screen mirror.
  • Android phones use "Cast" in the Quick Settings menu, while iPhones and iPads use AirPlay (which works with Chromecast on newer models).
  • Windows computers use the "Project" menu or the built-in Cast app, and Macs use AirPlay from the menu bar.
  • Screen mirroring works best when your device is within 30 feet of the Chromecast and the Wi-Fi signal is strong.
  • If mirroring fails, restart both your device and your Chromecast, then check that they are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Screen mirroring from an Android phone

Open the Quick Settings panel on your Android phone by swiping down from the top of the screen twice. Look for a button labeled "Cast," "Screen cast," or "Smart View"—the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer. Tap it, and your phone will search for nearby Chromecast devices.

When your Chromecast appears in the list, tap its name. Your phone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. You will see a small notification at the top of your phone showing that mirroring is active. To stop mirroring, open Quick Settings again, tap the Cast button, and select "Stop casting."

If you do not see a Cast button in Quick Settings, go to Settings, search for "cast" or "screen," and look for an option like "Wireless display" or "Smart View." Some Android phones require you to turn on developer options to access screen mirroring.

Screen mirroring from an iPhone or iPad

iPhones and iPads use AirPlay to screen mirror. On newer Chromecast devices (Chromecast with Google TV and some 4K models), AirPlay is built in, so you can mirror directly without extra apps. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone or iPad to open Control Center, then tap "Screen Mirroring."

Your device will search for nearby AirPlay receivers. When you see your Chromecast's name in the list, tap it. Your screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. A blue bar at the top of your phone shows that mirroring is active. To stop, open Control Center again, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select "Stop Mirroring."

If your Chromecast does not appear in the AirPlay list, check that your iPhone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. Older Chromecast models do not support AirPlay—you will need to use the Google Home app instead to cast individual apps.

Screen mirroring from a Windows computer

On Windows 10 or 11, open the Action Center by pressing Windows key + A. Look for a button called "Project" or "Connect." Click it, and your computer will search for nearby Chromecast devices. When your Chromecast appears, click its name to begin mirroring.

Your computer screen will appear on the TV. You can continue using your computer normally—everything you do will show on the TV in real time. To stop mirroring, open the Action Center again, click "Project," and select "Disconnect."

If the Project button does not appear, you can use the built-in Cast app instead. Search for "Cast" in the Windows Start menu and open the app. It will search for Chromecast devices and let you mirror your screen. Some older Windows computers may need to read the Google Cast extension for Chrome to use screen mirroring.

Screen mirroring from a Mac

On a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar (top-right corner), then click "Screen Mirroring." A list of nearby AirPlay receivers will appear. If your Chromecast supports AirPlay, you will see it in the list—click its name to start mirroring.

Your Mac screen will appear on the TV. You can use your computer normally while mirroring. To stop, open Control Center again, click "Screen Mirroring," and select "Turn Off Screen Mirroring."

If your Chromecast does not support AirPlay or does not appear in the list, you can use the Google Chrome browser instead. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, select "Cast," and choose your Chromecast device. This will mirror your Chrome tab rather than your entire screen.

Fixing common screen mirroring problems

Your device does not find the Chromecast: Make sure both your device and Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check that your Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz (some Chromecast models work better on 2.4 GHz). Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Restart your phone or computer as well.

The screen appears but is laggy or freezes: Move your device closer to the Chromecast—mirroring works best within 30 feet. Check that no one else is using a lot of bandwidth on your Wi-Fi. Close other apps on your phone or computer to free up memory. If the problem continues, restart both devices.

The screen goes black or shows a "no signal" message: Unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds and plug it back in. Check that your HDMI cable is firmly connected to the TV. Try a different HDMI port on your TV. Restart your phone or computer and try mirroring again.

Audio is not working: Check that your TV volume is turned up. Make sure your phone or computer volume is not muted. On some devices, you may need to go into audio settings and select your Chromecast as the audio output device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I screen mirror while using other apps on my phone?

Yes. While you are screen mirroring, your phone or computer controls what appears on the TV. You can open different apps, browse the web, or check messages, and everything will show on the TV. This is different from casting a single app, where the app plays on the TV while you use your phone for other things.

Does screen mirroring work over the internet, or only on the same Wi-Fi?

Screen mirroring requires your device and Chromecast to be on the same Wi-Fi network. It does not work over the internet from a different location. Both devices must be connected to the same router.

Will screen mirroring drain my phone battery?

Yes, screen mirroring uses more battery than normal because your phone is constantly sending data to the Chromecast. Battery drain is faster on older phones or when the Wi-Fi signal is weak. Plug your phone into a charger if you plan to mirror for more than an hour.

Can I screen mirror to multiple TVs at the same time?

No. You can only mirror to one Chromecast device at a time from a single phone or computer. If you want to mirror to a different TV, you must stop mirroring to the first one and start mirroring to the second.

What is the difference between screen mirroring and casting an app?

Screen mirroring sends your entire display to the TV, and your device controls everything you see. Casting an app sends only that app to the TV—for example, casting Netflix plays the show on the TV while your phone can do other things. Casting is usually better for video and music because it uses less battery and bandwidth.