The basic steps to cast to your TV

To cast to your TV with Chromecast, you need three things: a Chromecast device plugged into your TV's HDMI port, a phone or computer on the same Wi-Fi network, and the app or content you want to cast. The actual casting takes one or two taps—most apps have a cast button (a rectangle with curved lines in the corner) built in. Tap it, select your Chromecast device from the list, and the content appears on your TV.

The device doing the casting (your phone or computer) acts as a remote control once you start casting. You can pause, rewind, or adjust volume from your phone while the content plays on the TV. You can also leave the room—the Chromecast keeps playing even if your phone goes to sleep or you switch apps.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Chromecast device must be plugged into an HDMI port on your TV and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone or computer.
  • Most streaming apps (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Disney+) have a built-in cast button—look for a rectangle with curved lines in the corner.
  • You can cast from Android phones, iPhones, Windows computers, and Mac computers, though some apps work better on certain devices.
  • Once casting starts, your phone or computer becomes a remote; you can control playback, volume, and brightness from it while the TV plays independently.
  • If the cast button does not appear in an app, that app may not support Chromecast, or you may need to update the app first.

Setting up your Chromecast device for the first time

Before you can cast anything, your Chromecast needs power and a connection to your Wi-Fi. Plug the Chromecast into an available HDMI port on the back or side of your TV. If your TV does not have a spare HDMI port, you may need an HDMI splitter or to unplug another device temporarily. Plug the power cable into the Chromecast and into a wall outlet or USB port on your TV (some TVs provide USB power on the back).

Turn on your TV and switch to the HDMI input where you plugged in the Chromecast. You should see a setup screen appear on your TV. On your phone or computer, open the Google Home app (Android and iPhone) or visit google.com/chromecast (Windows and Mac). Follow the on-screen prompts to connect your Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network. The app will ask you to select your network and enter your Wi-Fi password. Once connected, your Chromecast is ready to receive casts from any device on that same network.

Casting from streaming apps on your phone

Most popular streaming apps have cast built in. Open the app, find the content you want to watch, and look for the cast button—it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the bottom right or top right corner. Tap it, and a list of available Chromecast devices appears. Select your TV's Chromecast device, and the content starts playing on your TV within a few seconds.

Apps that support Chromecast include YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, Pandora, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and many others. If you do not see a cast button in an app, that app may not support Chromecast yet. Try updating the app from your phone's app store first—sometimes the cast feature is only available in the latest version. If the button still does not appear, the app developer has not added Chromecast support.

Casting your entire phone or computer screen

If an app does not have a cast button, you can cast your entire screen instead. On Android phones, swipe down from the top twice to open the full quick settings menu, then tap "Cast" or "Screen cast." Select your Chromecast device, and your entire phone screen appears on the TV. Everything you do on your phone—opening apps, typing, scrolling—shows up on your TV in real time.

On iPhones, screen casting works differently. You need to use AirPlay, which is Apple's casting system, not Google's Chromecast. iPhones cannot cast their entire screen to Chromecast devices. However, many apps like YouTube and Netflix have their own cast buttons that work with Chromecast, so you can still cast those apps even on iPhone.

On Windows computers, right-click on the desktop and look for "Cast to device" or "Project to this PC." On Mac computers, click the Control Center in the top right, then click "Screen Mirroring" and select your Chromecast. Your entire computer screen appears on the TV, and you can control it from your keyboard and mouse.

Troubleshooting when your device will not cast

If the cast button does not appear or your device will not connect, start by checking that your phone or computer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm you are connected to the same network name (SSID) that your Chromecast is using. If you are on a different network, switch to the correct one and try again.

If the cast button appears but selecting your Chromecast does nothing, try restarting your Chromecast. Unplug it from power for 10 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully restart (the light on the device will stop blinking). While you wait, also restart the app you are trying to cast from. Close it completely and open it again, then look for the cast button.

If your Chromecast is not showing up in the device list at all, restart your phone or computer and your Chromecast again. Make sure your router is working and that other devices can connect to Wi-Fi. If you recently changed your Wi-Fi password, your Chromecast may still be trying to connect with the old password. Open the Google Home app, select your Chromecast device, tap the settings gear icon, and select "Wi-Fi" to enter the new password.

What to do if casting keeps stopping or stuttering

Casting relies on a stable Wi-Fi connection between your device and your Chromecast. If the video keeps stopping, buffering, or the connection drops, move your phone or computer closer to your router or Chromecast. Walls, distance, and interference from other devices can weaken the signal. If you are far from your router, consider moving the router closer to your TV or using a Wi-Fi extender.

Check how many other devices are using your Wi-Fi. If many devices are streaming or downloading at the same time, your network may not have enough bandwidth for smooth casting. Close apps and pause downloads on other devices. If the problem persists, restart your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait a few minutes for it to fully restart before trying to cast again.

Controlling playback and volume while casting

Once casting starts, your phone or computer becomes a remote control. In most apps, playback controls appear on your phone's screen—pause, play, rewind, and fast-forward buttons work just like they would if you were watching on your phone. You can also adjust volume using your phone's volume buttons, and the TV's volume will change. Some apps let you adjust brightness or subtitles from your phone as well.

If you want to use your TV remote instead, most TV remotes control volume and power for any HDMI input, including Chromecast. You can mute or adjust volume with your TV remote while your phone controls playback. To stop casting, tap the cast button again and select "Stop casting," or straightforward turn off the Chromecast from the Google Home app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from my iPhone to Chromecast?

Many apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify have cast buttons that work on iPhone. However, iPhones cannot cast their entire screen to Chromecast—that feature only works with Android phones, Windows, and Mac. If an app does not have a cast button, you cannot cast it from an iPhone to Chromecast.

Do I need a Google account to use Chromecast?

You need a Google account to set up Chromecast the first time using the Google Home app. After setup, you do not need to stay logged in to cast—any device on the same Wi-Fi network can cast to your Chromecast without signing in.

What if my TV does not have an HDMI port?

Older TVs without HDMI ports cannot use Chromecast. Chromecast requires an HDMI connection. If your TV has composite (red, white, yellow) cables or only has older connectors, you would need a different casting device or to upgrade your TV.

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

Only one person can cast at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you are already casting, their content will take over and yours will stop. You can take turns, or one person can control what plays while others watch.

Why does my Chromecast keep disconnecting from Wi-Fi?

Chromecast may disconnect if your Wi-Fi signal is weak, your router restarts, or your Wi-Fi password changes. Move your Chromecast closer to your router, restart your router, or re-enter your Wi-Fi password in the Google Home app settings. If disconnections keep happening, your router may need a firmware update.