iPhone to Chromecast casting works through apps, not directly from the phone

Your iPhone cannot cast to Chromecast the way an Android phone can. Apple and Google do not share casting technology, so you will not find a built-in "Cast" button in iPhone settings. Instead, you cast through individual apps — Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and others — that have their own Chromecast support built in. If an app shows a Chromecast icon, you can use it. If it does not, that app does not support casting to Chromecast.

The process is straightforward once you know which apps work: open the app, find the cast icon (usually a rectangle with a WiFi symbol in the corner), tap it, and select your Chromecast device from the list. Your phone and Chromecast must be on the same WiFi network for this to work.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone casting to Chromecast happens through individual apps like Netflix and YouTube, not through a system-wide feature like on Android.
  • Your iPhone and Chromecast must be connected to the same WiFi network before you can see the device in any app.
  • The cast icon appears inside supported apps and looks like a rectangle with a WiFi symbol; not all apps have this feature.
  • Once you tap the cast icon and select your Chromecast, the app streams to your TV while your iPhone controls playback.

Set up your WiFi connection first

Before you can cast anything, both your iPhone and your Chromecast device must be on the same WiFi network. Check your iPhone's WiFi settings by opening Settings, tapping WiFi, and confirming you are connected to your home network. Write down the exact network name if you are not sure.

On your Chromecast, open the Google Home app on any device (phone, tablet, or computer) that is already set up with that Chromecast. Go to Settings for that device and confirm it is on the same WiFi network. If your Chromecast is brand new and not yet set up, use the Google Home app to complete the setup first — it will guide you through connecting to WiFi. Once both devices are on the same network, you are ready to cast from apps.

Find the cast icon inside your app

Open any app that supports Chromecast casting — Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Spotify, Disney+, and many others all work. Look for the cast icon, which looks like a small rectangle with a curved WiFi symbol in the bottom right corner. It is usually in the top right or bottom right of the screen, depending on the app.

If you do not see this icon, the app does not support Chromecast casting. Some apps that stream video or music may have casting built in but hide the icon until you start playing something. Start playing a video or song first, then look again. If the icon still does not appear, that particular app will not work with Chromecast.

Tap the cast icon and select your device

Once you find the cast icon, tap it. A list of available devices will appear — you should see your Chromecast by name (for example, "Living Room" or "Bedroom TV"). Tap the name of the Chromecast you want to use.

The app will connect to that device, usually within a few seconds. You will see a confirmation on your TV — the content you were playing on your iPhone will now appear on the TV screen. Your iPhone becomes a remote control: you can pause, play, skip, adjust volume, and search for new content, all from your phone while the video or music plays on your TV.

Control playback from your iPhone

Once casting starts, your iPhone screen will show a smaller version of the cast icon with your device name underneath. This confirms the connection is active. You can now control what plays on your TV using your phone — pause, resume, skip forward or backward, and adjust volume all work from the app on your iPhone.

You can also lock your iPhone or switch to other apps while casting continues. The content keeps playing on your TV even if your phone screen goes dark. To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop Casting" or straightforward disconnect from the device.

Troubleshooting when the cast icon does not appear

If you tap the cast icon and your Chromecast does not show up in the list, the devices are not on the same WiFi network. Go back to your iPhone's WiFi settings and double-check that you are connected to the correct network. Then check your Chromecast in the Google Home app to confirm it is on the same network. If they are on different networks, connect your iPhone to the same network as your Chromecast.

If both devices are definitely on the same network but the cast icon still does not appear in an app, try closing the app completely and reopening it. Some apps require a restart to load the casting feature. If that does not work, restart your iPhone and your Chromecast device — unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot before trying again.

Apps that work with Chromecast from iPhone

Most major streaming services support casting from iPhone to Chromecast. Netflix, YouTube, YouTube TV, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play Music, and Pandora all have the cast feature built in. Many smaller apps do too — check the app itself to see if the cast icon appears.

Some apps that do not support Chromecast casting include Apple TV+ (which uses AirPlay instead, Apple's own casting system) and some regional or niche streaming services. If an app you use does not have Chromecast support, you may be able to use AirPlay to cast to an Apple TV instead, or check whether the app offers any other casting options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Chromecast with Apple TV+ or other Apple services?

No. Apple TV+, Apple Music, and other Apple services use AirPlay, which is Apple's casting system. AirPlay works with Apple TV devices, not Chromecast. If you want to cast Apple services to your TV, you need an Apple TV device or a TV with built-in AirPlay support.

What if I want to cast my entire iPhone screen to Chromecast?

iPhone does not support full-screen casting to Chromecast. You can only cast from apps that have the feature built in. If you need to mirror your entire screen, use AirPlay to an Apple TV instead. Some Android phones can mirror their whole screen to Chromecast, but iPhones cannot.

Do I need to keep my iPhone unlocked while casting?

No. Once casting starts, you can lock your iPhone or switch to other apps. The content continues to play on your TV. Your phone just needs to stay on the same WiFi network — it does not need to stay unlocked or in the app.

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

Only one device can cast at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you are already casting, their device will take over and your content will stop. You have to stop casting first before someone else can use the same Chromecast.

Why does the cast icon disappear after I start playing something?

Some apps hide the cast icon once casting is active to reduce clutter on the screen. Tap the screen or look for a menu button to bring the controls back. The cast icon should reappear so you can disconnect if needed.