The basic steps to cast to Chromecast
Casting to Chromecast means sending video, audio, or your entire screen from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV through a wireless connection. The process differs slightly depending on what device you're casting from, but the core idea is the same: your Chromecast device and your source device must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
Before you start, make sure your Chromecast is plugged into your TV, powered on, and connected to your Wi-Fi. Your phone, tablet, or computer should also be on the same network. Once both devices are ready, you'll look for a cast button or menu option in the app you're using — this is usually a rectangle with curved lines in the corner, or it may say "Cast" directly.
The actual casting happens in seconds once you tap or click that button. Your device finds your Chromecast on the network, you select it from a list, and the content starts playing on your TV. From that point forward, you can control playback from your device, and most apps let you pause, rewind, or skip without touching your TV remote.
Key Takeaways
- Your Chromecast and your phone, tablet, or computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before casting will work.
- The cast button usually looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner and appears inside the app you want to cast from.
- Casting from Android phones and tablets is built into most apps; iPhone and iPad users need AirPlay or the app's own cast feature.
- Once you start casting, you control playback from your device, and the Chromecast continues playing even if you lock your phone or switch apps.
- Casting your entire screen or desktop works differently than casting a single app and requires a different menu option on your device.
Casting from an Android phone or tablet
On Android, the cast button is built into most streaming apps. Open the app you want to cast from — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos, or others — and look for the cast icon in the top right corner or in the playback controls. It looks like a rectangle with curved lines coming from the bottom left.
Tap the cast icon. Your device will search for Chromecast devices on your network and show you a list. Select your Chromecast by name. The app will confirm the connection, and within a few seconds, the content will start playing on your TV. You can now use your phone to control volume, pause, skip, or rewind without picking up the TV remote.
If you don't see a cast button in an app you're trying to use, that app may not support casting. Some older or less common apps don't have this feature built in. In that case, you can cast your entire screen instead — see the section below on screen casting.
Casting from an iPhone or iPad
iPhones and iPads do not have native Chromecast support the way Android does. Instead, you have two options: use AirPlay if you have an Apple TV, or use the cast feature built into individual apps.
Many streaming apps on iOS — including YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and Spotify — have their own cast button inside the app. Look for it in the playback controls or settings menu, tap it, and select your Chromecast from the list. The process is the same as on Android once you find the button.
If an app doesn't have a built-in cast option, you cannot cast from that app to Chromecast using an iPhone or iPad. You would need to use an Android device, a computer, or cast your screen from a Mac using a third-party tool.
Casting from a Windows or Mac computer
On a Windows computer, open Google Chrome and navigate to the video or content you want to cast. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of Chrome, then select "Cast." A window will appear showing your available Chromecast devices. Click the one you want to use, and the content will start playing on your TV.
On a Mac, the process is identical if you're using Chrome. Open the browser, go to the three-dot menu, click "Cast," and select your device. You can cast a single tab or your entire screen — the menu will give you both options.
If you're using a different browser like Firefox or Safari, casting to Chromecast is not built in. You would need to switch to Chrome, use a third-party extension, or cast your entire screen instead. Some apps like Plex or VLC have their own cast features, so check the app's menu before assuming it's not possible.
Casting your entire screen or desktop
Instead of casting a single app or video, you can send everything on your screen to your TV. This is useful when you want to show photos, browse the web, or use an app that doesn't have a built-in cast button.
On Android, swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the full quick settings menu. Look for "Cast" or "Screen cast" and tap it. Select your Chromecast from the list. Your entire screen will now appear on your TV, and you can control it from your phone. Note that screen casting uses more battery and may have a slight delay compared to casting a single app.
On a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top right corner, then click "Screen Mirroring." Select your Chromecast from the list. On Windows, right-click on your desktop, select "Display settings," scroll down to "Multiple displays," and click "Connect to a wireless display." Select your Chromecast.
Troubleshooting when casting doesn't work
If you don't see your Chromecast in the list, the most common reason is that your device and your Chromecast are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both are connected to the same network name. If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, try connecting your phone or computer to the 2.4 GHz band — Chromecast devices sometimes work better on that frequency.
If your Chromecast is on the network but casting fails after you select it, try restarting your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Also restart the app you're trying to cast from. If the problem persists, restart your phone or computer and your Wi-Fi router.
If you see the cast button but it's grayed out or disabled, the app may not support casting at that moment — for example, some apps disable casting for certain content types. Try a different video or app to confirm the cast feature itself is working.
What happens after you start casting
Once casting begins, your Chromecast takes over playback. You can lock your phone, switch to a different app, or even turn off your device's screen — the video will keep playing on your TV. Your device is just sending commands to the Chromecast, not streaming the video through your phone.
This is different from mirroring your screen, where your device must stay awake and connected. With app casting, your battery will last much longer because your phone is doing less work.
You can stop casting by tapping the cast button again and selecting "Stop casting," or by unplugging the Chromecast. Some apps also let you cast to multiple Chromecast devices at once if you have more than one in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special app to cast to Chromecast?
No. If the app you want to use already supports casting, the feature is built in — you just look for the cast button. You don't need to read a separate casting app. However, not all apps support casting, so you may need to check the app's menu or documentation first.
Can I cast if I'm not home?
No. Your device and your Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you're away from home, you cannot cast to a Chromecast at your house. You would need to be on the same network — for example, at a friend's house with their Chromecast and Wi-Fi.
Why is there a delay when I cast my screen?
Screen casting has a slight delay because your device is sending the entire display to your Chromecast over Wi-Fi. App casting is faster because only the video or audio stream is being sent. If the delay bothers you, switch back to casting a single app instead of your whole screen.
Can I use Chromecast if my Wi-Fi is slow?
Casting works on slow Wi-Fi, but video quality may drop and buffering may occur. Chromecast adjusts the video quality automatically based on your connection speed. If you're having trouble, try moving closer to your router or reducing the number of devices using your Wi-Fi.
What if my phone and Chromecast are on different Wi-Fi networks?
Casting will not work. Both devices must be on the same network. If you have a guest network separate from your main network, make sure both your phone and Chromecast are on the same one. Check your router settings if you're unsure which network you're connected to.