The basic steps to cast from iPhone to Chromecast

Casting from an iPhone to a Chromecast device works through apps that support casting, not through a built-in iPhone feature like AirPlay. You open a compatible app—YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or others—tap the cast icon (usually a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), select your Chromecast device from the list, and the content plays on your TV while you keep using your phone.

The process requires three things: your iPhone and Chromecast on the same Wi-Fi network, a compatible app installed on your phone, and the Chromecast already set up and plugged into your TV. You do not need to pair devices or enter passwords each time—once they are on the same network, the cast icon appears automatically in supported apps.

The cast icon location varies by app. In YouTube it is in the top right corner. In Netflix it is usually in the top left. In Spotify it is at the bottom of the now-playing screen. If you do not see a cast icon, the app either does not support Chromecast or you are not on the same Wi-Fi network as the device.

Key Takeaways

  • Casting requires your iPhone and Chromecast to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network—they do not need to be paired beforehand.
  • Only apps that have built-in cast support work with Chromecast; the iPhone's AirPlay feature does not cast to Chromecast devices.
  • The cast icon appears in different places depending on the app, but it always looks like a rectangle with curved lines in one corner.
  • Once you tap cast and select your device, the content plays on your TV and you can use your phone for other tasks or lock the screen.

Making sure your iPhone and Chromecast are on the same network

Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings by opening Settings, tapping Wi-Fi, and confirming which network you are connected to. Write down the network name.

On your Chromecast, open the Google Home app on any device (phone, tablet, or computer) that is already set up with your Chromecast. Tap the device, then tap the settings gear icon, then tap Wi-Fi. The app shows which network your Chromecast is using. If it is different from your iPhone's network, you need to reconnect the Chromecast to match your iPhone's network. Use the Google Home app to do this: tap the device, tap settings, tap Wi-Fi, and follow the prompts to select your network and enter the password.

If you do not have the Google Home app set up yet, you will need to set up your Chromecast first using that app before you can cast to it from your iPhone. The setup process walks you through connecting the Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network.

Finding the cast icon in your app

The cast icon—a small rectangle with three curved lines in one corner—appears only in apps that support Chromecast. Common apps that support it include YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, Pandora, Plex, and Google Play Music. Smaller or older apps may not have this feature.

In YouTube, the cast icon is in the top right corner of the video player. In Netflix, it is in the top left. In Spotify, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see the now-playing card, and the cast icon is at the bottom right. In Hulu and Disney+, it is usually in the top right corner of the player. Check the app's help section if you cannot find it—the location sometimes changes with app updates.

If you do not see a cast icon anywhere in the app, the app does not support Chromecast casting. This is different from AirPlay, which is Apple's casting system for iPhones. Some apps support AirPlay but not Chromecast, and vice versa. Check the app's description in the App Store to see which casting methods it supports.

Selecting your Chromecast device and starting playback

Tap the cast icon. A list of available devices appears—you should see your Chromecast device by name (for example, "Living Room" or "Bedroom TV"). Tap the device name. The app connects to the Chromecast, and within a few seconds the content begins playing on your TV.

Once casting starts, you can lock your iPhone, switch to another app, or put the phone down. The content continues playing on your TV and is controlled by the Chromecast, not your phone. To pause, play, or skip, open the app again and use the playback controls, or use a physical remote if your TV has one that works with Chromecast.

To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting" or tap the X next to your device name. The content stops on your TV, and you can start playing something else on your phone or cast a different app.

Troubleshooting when the cast icon does not appear

If you tap an app and do not see a cast icon, check three things in order. First, confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network—open your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and your Chromecast's network settings in the Google Home app and verify they match. Second, restart both devices: unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds and plug it back in, then restart your iPhone by powering it off and on. Third, close the app completely and reopen it—sometimes the cast feature does not load until the app is fully restarted.

If the cast icon still does not appear, the app may not support Chromecast. Check the app's description in the App Store under "Information" or "Details" to see which casting methods it supports. Some apps only support AirPlay, not Chromecast. If the app does support Chromecast, try updating it to the latest version—older versions sometimes lack casting features that newer ones have.

If you see the cast icon but your Chromecast device does not appear in the list, the devices are likely not on the same network. Reconnect your Chromecast to your Wi-Fi using the Google Home app, making sure to select the exact same network your iPhone is using. If you have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, try connecting both devices to the same band (usually 2.4 GHz works more reliably for Chromecast).

What to do if your app does not support Chromecast

If an app you want to use does not have built-in Chromecast support, you have two options. The first is to use Google Cast for audio, which works with some music and podcast apps that do not have their own cast button. Open the app, start playing audio, then open the Google Home app on your iPhone, tap the device, and select "Cast audio." This works for Spotify, Apple Music, Podcasts, and others, though not all apps support it.

The second option is to check whether the app supports screen mirroring instead. This is different from casting—it mirrors your entire iPhone screen to the TV rather than just the app's content. Screen mirroring uses more battery and can be slower, but it works with any app. To screen mirror to Chromecast, you need a third-party app like Streamer for Chromecast or AnyToDMG, as iOS does not have native screen mirroring to Chromecast built in (it only has AirPlay for Apple devices).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair my iPhone and Chromecast before I can cast?

No. As long as both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, the cast icon appears automatically in compatible apps. You do not need to pair them, enter a code, or do anything else beforehand. The first time you cast, the connection happens when ready.

Can I use my iPhone while something is casting to my TV?

Yes. Once casting starts, you can lock your iPhone, switch to another app, or put it down. The content continues playing on your TV. To control playback, open the app again and use the playback controls, or use a physical remote if your TV has one.

Why does my Chromecast not show up in the cast list?

The most common reason is that your iPhone and Chromecast are on different Wi-Fi networks. Open the Google Home app, tap your Chromecast device, tap settings, and check which network it is using. Reconnect it to the same network as your iPhone if they do not match. Restart both devices if they are already on the same network.

Can I cast from apps like TikTok or Instagram to Chromecast?

Most social media apps do not have built-in Chromecast support. TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat do not offer a cast button. If you want to watch content from these apps on your TV, you would need to use screen mirroring through a third-party app, though this is slower and uses more battery than native casting.

What if I have a guest on my Wi-Fi who wants to cast?

Anyone on the same Wi-Fi network can cast to your Chromecast device. They open a compatible app, tap the cast icon, and select your device. They do not need a password or special permission. If you want to prevent guests from casting, you can change your Wi-Fi password or use your router's settings to create a separate guest network.