The Basic Steps to Cast from Google Apps

Casting from Google apps to Chromecast works the same way across most Google services: open the app on your phone or 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. Your phone or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Once you select the device, the content streams to your TV within a few seconds.

The Cast icon appears in different places depending on which Google app you are using. In Google Chrome on a computer, it is in the top right corner of the browser. In YouTube on a phone, it is in the top right of the video player. In Google Photos, it appears when you open an image or album. If you do not see the Cast icon, your app may be out of date — check your app store for updates.

Key Takeaways

  • The Cast icon appears in most Google apps and looks like a rectangle with curved lines; tap or click it to see your available Chromecast devices.
  • Your phone or computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast for casting to work.
  • Google Chrome on a computer lets you cast entire browser tabs or your whole screen, not just individual websites.
  • YouTube, Google Photos, Google Play Music, and Google Podcasts all support casting through the same Cast button.
  • If the Cast icon does not appear, restart the app, check your Wi-Fi connection, or update the app from your device's app store.

Casting YouTube to Your TV

YouTube is the most common reason people cast to Chromecast. Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet, find the video you want to watch, and tap the Cast icon in the top right corner of the video player. A list of nearby Chromecast devices appears — select the one connected to your TV. The video starts playing on your TV, and you can control playback from your phone: pause, skip forward or backward, adjust volume, and change the video.

While a video is casting, your phone screen can go dark or you can use other apps without interrupting playback. This is different from mirroring, where your phone's screen content appears on the TV. You can also queue up videos on your phone while one is playing — they will play in order on your TV after the current video ends.

Casting Your Browser or Screen from a Computer

Google Chrome on Windows, Mac, or Linux lets you cast more than just individual websites. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, and select "Cast". A panel opens showing your Chromecast devices. You have two options: cast a single tab or cast your entire screen. Casting a tab sends only that browser window to your TV; casting your screen sends everything on your monitor, including other windows and your desktop.

Tab casting is useful when you want to show a specific website while keeping other work private on your computer. Screen casting works better for presentations or when you want to show multiple windows. Audio from your computer plays through your TV speakers. If you are casting a tab and your computer goes to sleep, the cast stops — keep your computer awake while casting.

Casting Google Photos and Albums

Open Google Photos on your phone or computer, select a photo or open an album, and tap the Cast icon. Your Chromecast devices appear in a list. Select your device, and the photo or album displays on your TV. If you selected an album, the photos cycle through automatically, or you can use your phone to move forward and backward through the images.

This works well for sharing vacation photos with family or displaying a slideshow at a gathering. You can adjust the slideshow speed and transition effects in Google Photos settings before you cast. The Cast icon in Google Photos appears in the top right when you are viewing a photo or in the menu when you are viewing an album.

Casting Google Play Music and Podcasts

Google Play Music and Google Podcasts both have Cast icons in their player controls. In Google Play Music, open a song, album, or playlist and tap the Cast icon in the bottom right of the player. In Google Podcasts, open an episode and tap the Cast icon at the top of the player. Select your Chromecast device, and audio plays through your TV speakers. Your phone can control playback, skip tracks, and adjust volume while the audio streams.

Casting audio is useful when you want to play music throughout your home without holding your phone. The Cast icon stays visible while music is playing, so you can switch to a different device or stop casting at any time. If you cast music and then open a different app on your phone, the music continues playing on your TV.

Troubleshooting When Cast Does Not Work

If the Cast icon does not appear in your app, first check that your phone or computer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Open your device's Wi-Fi settings and confirm the network name matches the one your Chromecast is connected to. If the networks are different, connect to the correct one and try again.

If the networks match but the Cast icon still does not show, restart the app completely — close it and open it again. If that does not work, check your app store for updates to the Google app you are using. Outdated apps sometimes lose Cast support. Restart your Chromecast device by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. If you still cannot cast after these steps, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

If the Cast icon appears but your Chromecast device does not show in the list, your devices may be on different Wi-Fi networks or your Chromecast may have lost its connection. Check your Chromecast's settings through the Google Home app to confirm it is still connected to Wi-Fi. If it has disconnected, reconnect it to your network through the Google Home app.

Casting Versus Mirroring: What Is the Difference

Casting and mirroring are two different things. When you cast, you send specific content (a video, a song, a photo) to your Chromecast, and your phone or computer controls playback from a distance. Your phone screen does not appear on the TV. When you mirror, your entire phone or computer screen appears on the TV in real time — everything you do on your device shows on your TV.

Most Google apps use casting, not mirroring. Casting uses less battery on your phone and lets you use other apps while content plays on your TV. Mirroring is useful when you want to show your entire screen, but it drains battery faster and your phone must stay connected and active. If you want to mirror your Android phone's screen instead of casting, use the "Cast screen" option in your phone's settings or the Google Home app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be on the same Wi-Fi network to cast?

Yes. Your phone or computer and your Chromecast must both be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If they are on different networks, the Cast icon will not show your Chromecast device in the list. Check your device's Wi-Fi settings to confirm you are on the correct network.

Can I use my phone while something is casting?

Yes. When you cast content like a YouTube video or a song, your phone is just sending the content to your TV — it is not mirroring your screen. You can close the app, use other apps, or even turn your phone's screen off, and the content continues playing on your TV.

What if my Chromecast is not showing up in the Cast list?

First, confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Then restart the app you are trying to cast from, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, and restart your Wi-Fi router. If the device still does not appear, check the Google Home app to confirm your Chromecast is connected to Wi-Fi.

Can I cast from a computer to Chromecast?

Yes, if you use Google Chrome. Click the three-dot menu, select "Cast", and choose to cast a tab or your entire screen. Other browsers do not have built-in Cast support, though some websites may have their own Cast buttons.

Does casting use a lot of data?

Casting streams content over your home Wi-Fi network, so it uses your Wi-Fi data but not your phone's cellular data. The amount of data depends on the quality of the content — video uses more data than audio or photos.