Cast your whole screen in three steps

To cast your entire screen to Chromecast, open the device you want to share from, find the Cast button or menu, select your Chromecast device by name, and confirm. The exact steps depend on whether you are using a computer, phone, or tablet — and which operating system runs it. Once you start casting, everything on your screen appears on the TV in real time, including notifications and open windows.

Screen casting is different from casting a single app or video. When you cast the whole screen, you are mirroring everything, which uses more bandwidth and battery power than casting just one app. It is useful when you want to show someone a presentation, browse the web together, or share photos from your phone without switching between apps.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows and Mac computers use the Cast button in Chrome or built-in system menus; Android phones use Quick Settings; iPhones and iPads use AirPlay, which requires an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible device, not a standard Chromecast.
  • Your phone, tablet, or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device for casting to work.
  • Screen casting drains battery faster than app casting because it sends constant video and audio to the TV.
  • You can pause, resume, or stop casting from the same menu where you started it, and the Chromecast device will show your home screen when you disconnect.

Cast from a Windows computer

On Windows 10 or 11, open the Action Center by pressing Windows key + A, then click Cast. A panel will open on the right side of your screen. Click Cast to a device, wait a moment for your Chromecast to appear in the list, then click its name. Your screen will begin mirroring to the TV within a few seconds.

If the Cast button does not appear in your Action Center, you may need to add it. Right-click the Action Center, select Edit quick settings, and look for Cast in the available options. If your Chromecast still does not show up, restart both your computer and the Chromecast device, and make sure they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

To stop casting, press Windows key + A again, click Cast, and select Disconnect. Your TV will return to its normal input.

Cast from a Mac

On macOS, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar (it looks like a rectangle with sliders), then click Screen Mirroring. A dropdown menu will show available devices. Click your Chromecast by name, and your Mac screen will appear on the TV.

If you do not see Screen Mirroring in Control Center, open System Settings, go to Control Center, and make sure Screen Mirroring is toggled on. Your Mac and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. To disconnect, click Control Center again, select Screen Mirroring, and choose Turn Off Screen Mirroring.

Cast from an Android phone or tablet

On Android, swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open Quick Settings (the full panel, not just the quick toggles). Look for Cast or Screen cast — the name varies by manufacturer and Android version. Tap it, wait for your Chromecast to appear, and tap its name to start mirroring.

If you do not see Cast in Quick Settings, you may need to add it. Tap the pencil or edit icon in Quick Settings, find Cast in the list of available tiles, and drag it into your active settings. Make sure your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. To stop casting, open Quick Settings again and tap Cast, then select Stop casting.

Cast from an iPhone or iPad

iPhones and iPads do not cast to standard Chromecast devices using the built-in screen mirroring feature. Apple's AirPlay system is designed for Apple TV and AirPlay-compatible devices, which are different products. If you want to mirror an iPhone or iPad to a TV with Chromecast, you have two options: use an app designed to bridge the two systems, or cast individual apps (like YouTube or Netflix) instead of the whole screen.

Some third-party apps in the App Store claim to enable AirPlay to Chromecast, but results vary and many require payment or subscriptions. For most users, casting individual apps from your iPhone or iPad works better and more reliably than trying to mirror the entire screen to a standard Chromecast device.

Troubleshooting when your device does not appear

If your Chromecast does not show up in the Cast menu, first check that your phone, tablet, or computer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast. They must be on the same network — if your computer is on a 5 GHz band and your Chromecast is on 2.4 GHz, they may not see each other. Check your router settings or move closer to the router to test.

Restart both devices: unplug your Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and restart your phone or computer. Wait for the Chromecast to fully boot (the light on the device will stop blinking). Then try the Cast menu again. If the Chromecast still does not appear, restart your Wi-Fi router as well.

On Windows, make sure you have the latest updates installed. On Android, check that Google Play Services is up to date. If you are using Chrome on a Mac or Windows computer, make sure Chrome itself is fully updated by clicking the menu (three dots) and checking for updates.

What happens to your battery and internet when casting

Screen casting uses more power than regular use because your device is constantly encoding video and sending it over Wi-Fi. On a phone or tablet, expect your battery to drain 20 to 40 percent faster than normal. Plug in your device if you plan to cast for more than 30 minutes.

Casting also uses a steady amount of Wi-Fi bandwidth. If your internet connection is slow or unstable, the video on your TV may lag, stutter, or drop. Close other apps and browser tabs on your device to free up bandwidth. If you are streaming video or music while casting, that will also compete for bandwidth and may cause problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Once you start screen casting, you can open and use other apps on your phone, and whatever you do will appear on the TV. This is useful for showing someone how to use an app or navigating to a website. Keep in mind that notifications and incoming calls will also appear on the TV.

Does casting work over a mobile hotspot or guest Wi-Fi?

Your device and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your phone is creating a hotspot and your Chromecast is connected to that hotspot, casting will work. However, if your Chromecast is on your home Wi-Fi and your phone is on a guest network or a different router, they cannot see each other.

What is the difference between casting the whole screen and casting a single app?

Casting the whole screen mirrors everything on your device to the TV, including notifications and background activity. Casting a single app (available in apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Chrome) sends only that app to the TV, which uses less battery and bandwidth. You can use your phone for other things while a single app is casting.

Why does my screen casting lag or freeze?

Lag usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your network is busy. Move closer to your router, close other apps and browser tabs, and make sure no one else is downloading large files. If you are casting video, lower the resolution or quality if the app allows it. Restart your Chromecast and your device if the problem continues.

Can I cast to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time?

No. You can only cast your screen to one Chromecast device at a time. If you want to show your screen on multiple TVs, you would need to stop casting to the first device, then start casting to the second one.