The basic steps to send video, music, or your screen to Chromecast

Casting to Chromecast means sending audio, video, or your entire screen from your phone, tablet, or computer to a TV that has a Chromecast device plugged in. The device itself does the work — your phone or computer just tells it what to play. You do not need to pair devices or enter passwords each time. As long as your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network, you can cast in seconds.

The cast button looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner. It appears inside apps like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Google Photos. Tap or click it, choose your Chromecast device from the list, and playback moves to your TV. Your phone becomes a remote — you can pause, skip, or adjust volume without leaving the app.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone, tablet, or computer and your Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can cast.
  • The cast button appears inside most streaming apps and looks like a rectangle with curved lines in one corner.
  • Casting your entire screen (called screen mirroring) works differently than casting from within an app and uses more battery.
  • If the cast button does not appear, restart your Chromecast device and make sure your phone's app is up to date.
  • You can control playback from your phone while content plays on the TV, and casting stops when you close the app or select a different device.

Casting from apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify

Most streaming apps have a built-in cast button. Open the app, start playing a video or song, and look for the rectangle-with-curved-lines icon. On phones it usually appears in the top right or bottom right corner. On tablets it may be in the top left. Tap or click the cast button and a list of available devices appears — select your Chromecast by name.

Playback moves to your TV when ready. Your phone screen returns to normal and you can lock it or open other apps without stopping the video or music. The cast button now shows a filled-in icon to remind you something is casting. To stop casting, tap the cast button again and select "Stop casting" or choose a different device.

Not every app supports casting. Common apps that do include YouTube, YouTube TV, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, Google Play Music, Pandora, Plex, and HBO Max. If you do not see a cast button in an app you use, that app does not support Chromecast — screen mirroring (described below) is your alternative.

Screen mirroring: casting your entire phone or computer screen

Screen mirroring sends everything on your device's screen to the TV, not just video from one app. This is useful for apps that do not have a cast button, for showing photos stored on your phone, or for presentations. The process differs slightly depending on whether you are using Android, iPhone, or a computer.

On Android phones and tablets: Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings. Look for "Cast" or "Screen cast" and tap it. Select your Chromecast device. Your entire screen now appears on the TV. To stop, tap the cast notification and select "Stop casting".

On iPhones and iPads: Swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center. Tap "Screen Mirroring". Select your Chromecast device from the list. Your screen appears on the TV. To stop, open Control Center again, tap "Screen Mirroring", and select "Stop Mirroring".

On Windows computers: Right-click the Windows logo in the taskbar and select "System". Go to "Display" and scroll down to "Multiple displays". Click "Connect to a wireless display". Select your Chromecast device. Your screen appears on the TV. To stop, click the notification that appears and select "Disconnect".

On Mac computers: Click the Control Center icon in the top right corner. Select "Screen Mirroring". Choose your Chromecast device. Your screen appears on the TV. To stop, click Control Center again, select "Screen Mirroring", and choose "Turn Off Screen Mirroring".

Making sure your devices are set up to cast

Casting only works when your phone, tablet, or computer and your Chromecast device are on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both devices show the same network name in their Wi-Fi settings. If they are on different networks — for example, if your phone is on a guest network and Chromecast is on the main network — casting will not work.

Your Chromecast device must be powered on and have finished its startup process. When you first plug it in, it takes a minute or two to boot. A light on the device will be solid white or blue when it is ready. If the light is blinking or red, unplug it, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in.

Make sure your phone or computer has the latest version of its operating system and that your streaming apps are up to date. Older versions sometimes do not show the cast button. On Android, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, and select "Manage apps and device" to check for updates. On iPhone, open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and look for pending updates. On Windows, open Settings and go to "Update & Security". On Mac, open System Settings and select "General" then "Software Update".

Troubleshooting when the cast button does not appear

If you open an app and do not see the cast button, first check that your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm the network name matches what you see on your Chromecast setup (you can find this in the Google Home app under your device settings).

Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it from power for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for the light to turn solid white or blue. Then close and reopen the app on your phone. The cast button should now appear.

If the cast button still does not show, the app may not support Chromecast. Try screen mirroring instead. You can also check the app's help section or settings to confirm Chromecast is supported.

What happens to your phone while you are casting

Once you cast from an app, your phone is free to do other things. You can lock the screen, open other apps, or set your phone down. The video or music continues playing on your TV without interruption. Your phone acts as a remote — you can pause, play, skip forward or backward, and adjust volume from within the app, and those commands send to the TV when ready.

Screen mirroring works differently. Your entire screen is being sent to the TV, so if you open another app or lock your phone, that change appears on the TV too. Screen mirroring also uses more battery than casting from an app. If you are mirroring for a long time, keep your phone plugged in.

Casting stops automatically when you close the app, when your phone loses Wi-Fi connection, or when you manually select "Stop casting". If you want to cast from a different device — for example, switching from your phone to your tablet — just tap the cast button on the new device and select the same Chromecast. The TV switches to the new source.

Casting from a web browser on your computer

Google Chrome browser on Windows and Mac computers has a built-in cast feature. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, and select "Cast". A window appears showing available Chromecast devices. Click the device you want to use. You can then choose to cast a tab (just the current webpage) or your entire screen.

If you cast a tab, only that webpage appears on the TV. You can open other tabs or apps on your computer without affecting what the TV shows. If you cast your entire screen, everything on your computer screen appears on the TV, including notifications and other windows.

To stop casting from Chrome, click the three-dot menu again, select "Cast", and click "Stop casting".

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair my phone with Chromecast every time I want to cast?

No. As long as your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network, you can cast when ready without pairing or entering a password. The connection is automatic.

Can I cast from my phone while someone else is watching something on the TV?

Yes, but it will interrupt what is currently playing. When you cast, the TV switches to your content. If you want to take turns, the person currently watching can finish their show, then you can cast yours.

What should I do if my phone keeps disconnecting from Chromecast?

Check that your Wi-Fi signal is strong near both devices. If the signal is weak, move your phone or Chromecast closer to the router. You can also restart your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. If disconnections continue, restart your Chromecast device.

Can I cast from my work phone or a friend's phone to my Chromecast?

Yes, as long as that phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Anyone on your home Wi-Fi can cast to your TV. If you want to restrict this, you can change your Chromecast settings in the Google Home app to require a PIN before casting.

Does casting use a lot of data from my phone plan?

No. Casting uses your Wi-Fi connection, not your cellular data. Your phone sends a signal to Chromecast over Wi-Fi telling it what to play, but the content streams directly from the internet to your Chromecast device, not through your phone.