The basic steps to cast from Android or iPhone

To cast from your phone to Chromecast, open the app you want to watch or listen to, look for the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), tap it, and select your Chromecast device from the list. Your phone then sends the video or audio to your TV through your home Wi-Fi network. The phone acts as a remote control after that — you can pause, rewind, or adjust volume from the phone while the content plays on the TV.

The cast icon appears in most streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Google Photos. Not every app has it, but the major ones do. If you don't see the cast icon in an app you use regularly, that app may not support casting yet.

Key Takeaways

  • The cast icon (rectangle with curved lines) is the button you tap to send video or audio from your phone to your TV.
  • Your phone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • After you cast, your phone becomes a remote — you control playback from the phone while the content plays on the TV.
  • Some apps don't support casting; if you don't see the cast icon, that app may not have the feature yet.
  • Casting uses your Wi-Fi connection, not your phone's data, so it won't count against a mobile data plan.

Make sure your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network

Casting only works when your phone and your Chromecast device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If your phone is on a guest network or a different Wi-Fi band, the cast icon may appear but the connection will fail.

Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm it shows the same network name (SSID) as the one your Chromecast is using. If you're not sure which network your Chromecast is on, open the Google Home app on your phone, tap the Chromecast device, and look under "Wi-Fi network" to see which one it's connected to. Then switch your phone to that same network if needed.

Find and tap the cast icon in your app

The cast icon appears in the top or bottom corner of most streaming apps. On YouTube, it's usually in the top right. On Netflix, it's in the top right as well. On Spotify, it's at the bottom of the now-playing screen. The exact location varies by app, but it always looks the same: a small rectangle with three curved lines coming from the bottom left corner.

If you don't see the cast icon anywhere in the app, try updating the app from your phone's app store. Older versions sometimes don't include casting. If the icon still doesn't appear after an update, that particular app may not support casting to Chromecast.

Select your Chromecast device from the list

When you tap the cast icon, a menu appears showing all Chromecast devices on your network. Each device shows its name — for example, "Living Room" or "Bedroom TV". Tap the one you want to cast to.

Your phone will connect to that device, and the content will start playing on your TV within a few seconds. You'll see a notification on your phone confirming that casting is active. The cast icon will also change appearance (usually becoming filled in or highlighted) to show that an active cast session is running.

Use your phone as a remote while content plays

Once casting starts, your phone becomes the control center. You can pause, play, rewind, or skip forward using buttons that appear on your phone's screen. Volume controls on your phone will adjust the TV's volume, not your phone's speaker volume. You can also lock your phone's screen and it will keep casting — the content won't stop.

If you want to stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting" or "Disconnect". The content will stop on your TV, and your phone will no longer be connected to the Chromecast device.

What to do if the cast icon doesn't appear

If you don't see the cast icon in an app, first check that your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are, restart both devices — turn off your phone and Chromecast, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. Sometimes a fresh connection fixes the problem.

If the icon still doesn't show up, the app may not support casting. Check the app's settings or help section to confirm. You can also try casting your entire phone screen instead using the screen mirroring feature built into Android or AirPlay on iPhone, though this uses more battery and may have a slight delay compared to casting from within an app.

Casting uses Wi-Fi, not your phone's data plan

Casting sends the video or audio stream directly from the internet to your Chromecast device over Wi-Fi. Your phone doesn't read or relay the content — it just tells the Chromecast where to find it and controls playback. This means casting won't use your mobile data plan, even if you're not on Wi-Fi.

However, your phone does need to stay connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast for the connection to remain stable. If your phone disconnects from Wi-Fi during casting, the stream may pause or stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from an iPhone to Chromecast?

Yes. iPhones cast the same way as Android phones — open an app like YouTube or Netflix, tap the cast icon, and select your Chromecast device. iPhone doesn't have a built-in screen mirroring option for Chromecast like Android does, but casting from within apps works identically.

What if my Chromecast device doesn't show up in the cast menu?

Make sure your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart both devices and try again. If the device still doesn't appear, open the Google Home app and check that your Chromecast is online and working. If it shows as offline, restart it from the Google Home app or unplug it for 10 seconds.

Can I cast while using a VPN?

Casting may not work if your phone is connected to a VPN, because VPNs can interfere with local network discovery. Try turning off the VPN, casting to your Chromecast, and then turning the VPN back on if needed. Some VPNs have a "split tunneling" option that lets you exclude local network traffic.

Does casting drain my phone's battery faster?

Casting uses less battery than streaming directly to your phone because your phone isn't powering the display or speakers. Your phone's screen can stay on for control, but you can lock it and casting will continue. Battery drain is minimal compared to watching video on your phone itself.

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

No. Only one phone can cast to a Chromecast device at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you're already casting, their cast will take over and interrupt your stream. You'll see a notification that casting has been interrupted.