The basic casting process works the same way across devices

To cast to Chromecast, you need three things: a Chromecast device plugged into your TV, a phone or computer on the same Wi-Fi network, and an app that supports casting. Open the app you want to cast from — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or Chrome on your computer — look for the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), tap or click it, and select your Chromecast device from the list. The content then plays on your TV while you control it from your phone or computer.

The cast icon appears in different places depending on the app. In YouTube, it's in the top right corner. In Netflix, it's in the top left. In Spotify, it's at the bottom of the now-playing screen. If you don't see a cast icon, the app may not support casting, or your device may not be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone, tablet, or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device for casting to work.
  • The cast icon appears in most streaming apps and looks like a rectangle with curved lines; tap it and select your Chromecast from the list.
  • You can cast video, music, photos, and web pages, but the app must support casting — not all apps do.
  • Once you start casting, you can close the app or lock your phone and the content keeps playing on your TV.
  • Casting from your computer's Chrome browser works the same way and lets you share any open tab to your TV.

Casting from your phone or tablet

On Android or iPhone, open any app that supports casting. Tap the cast icon — usually in the top or bottom corner — and a list of nearby Chromecast devices appears. Select the one connected to your TV. The app will confirm the connection, and within a few seconds, the content moves to your TV screen.

Once casting starts, you control playback from your phone. You can pause, rewind, skip forward, and adjust volume using your phone's screen. You can also lock your phone or switch to another app, and the video or music keeps playing on your TV. To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Disconnect."

If the cast icon doesn't appear, check that your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Go to your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm you're connected to the same network name (SSID) that your Chromecast uses. If you're on a different network, switch to the correct one and try again.

Casting from your computer using Chrome

On Windows, Mac, or Linux, open Google Chrome and go to the website or app you want to cast from. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of Chrome, then select "Cast." A window opens showing available Chromecast devices. Click the one connected to your TV.

You can cast an entire tab or just your desktop. If you select "Cast tab," only that browser tab appears on your TV. If you select "Cast desktop," your entire screen — including windows, notifications, and cursor — shows on the TV. Desktop casting uses more bandwidth and may lag slightly, so tab casting is usually smoother for streaming video.

To stop casting from Chrome, click the cast icon again and select "Stop casting." Your computer screen returns to normal, and the TV goes back to its previous input.

Casting photos and music

Google Photos, Spotify, and other media apps let you cast photos and music the same way you cast video. Open the app, find the content you want to share, tap the cast icon, and select your Chromecast. Photos appear full-screen on your TV, and music plays through your TV's speakers while you control it from your phone.

Some apps let you create a queue or playlist before casting, so you can line up multiple songs or photos without touching your phone. In Spotify, for example, you can add songs to a queue, then cast to Chromecast, and the queue plays in order on your TV.

Troubleshooting when casting doesn't work

If the cast icon doesn't appear or your device doesn't show up in the list, the most common cause is that your phone and Chromecast are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure you're connected to the same network as your Chromecast. Restart your phone and Chromecast if they're on the same network but still won't connect.

If an app crashes when you try to cast, restart the app and try again. Some older apps don't support casting, so check the app's description in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to confirm it has casting built in. If the app supports casting but still won't work, uninstall and reinstall it.

If your Chromecast itself isn't responding, unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for the light to turn solid white or blue, which means it's ready to receive a cast. If it stays red or flashing, your Chromecast may not be connected to Wi-Fi — use the Google Home app to reconnect it to your network.

What you can and cannot cast

Most major streaming apps support casting: YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play Music, Pandora, and Twitch all work. You can also cast web pages from Chrome, Google Photos, and many news and sports apps. However, some apps don't support casting — check the app description or look for the cast icon to confirm before you try.

Casting works best with video and music apps because they're designed to stream to a TV. Some apps let you cast games, but performance depends on your Wi-Fi connection and the game itself. Casting from a web browser is slower than casting from an app because it sends your entire screen, so expect a slight delay if you're casting a Chrome tab.

Casting to multiple Chromecast devices

If you have Chromecast devices in different rooms, you can cast to any of them from the same app. When you tap the cast icon, a list shows all available Chromecast devices on your network. Select the one you want, and the content goes to that TV. You can switch between devices by tapping the cast icon again and choosing a different Chromecast.

You cannot cast the same content to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time from a single app. If you want the same video or song playing in two rooms, you need to start casting on one device, then open the app on a second phone or computer and cast to the other Chromecast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a remote to use Chromecast?

No. Your phone or computer is the remote. You control everything from your device's screen — pause, play, skip, and volume. Some Chromecast models come with a physical remote, but it's optional. You can use either your phone or the remote, whichever you prefer.

Can I cast if I'm not home?

No. Casting requires your phone and Chromecast to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you're away from home, you're on a different network, so casting won't work. You can only cast when you're connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Chromecast device.

What happens if I close the app while casting?

The content keeps playing on your TV. You can close the app, lock your phone, or switch to another app, and the video or music continues without interruption. Your phone is just sending the command to play; it's not streaming the content itself.

Why does casting lag or stutter?

Lag usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your network is crowded. Move closer to your router, or reduce the number of devices using Wi-Fi at the same time. If you're casting a Chrome tab instead of using an app, expect some delay because your entire screen is being sent to the TV. Using the app instead of the browser tab usually fixes stuttering.

Can I cast from an iPad or tablet?

Yes. iPad, Android tablets, and other tablets work the same way as phones. Open an app that supports casting, tap the cast icon, select your Chromecast, and the content plays on your TV. The process is identical to casting from a phone.