The basic steps to cast from your device

To cast your screen to Chromecast, open the device you want to cast from — a phone, tablet, or computer — and look for a Cast button or menu option. On Android phones and tablets, swipe down from the top twice to open Quick Settings, then tap Cast. On iPhones and iPads, swipe down from the top right to open Control Center, then tap Screen Mirroring. On Windows computers, press Windows key + K to open the Quick Settings panel, then select Cast to a device. On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top right, then select Screen Mirroring.

Once you open the Cast menu, your Chromecast device should appear in the list of available devices. Tap or click on it. Your screen will begin casting to your TV within a few seconds. To stop casting, open the same menu and tap Disconnect or Stop Casting.

The entire process usually takes less than a minute once you know where to find the Cast button on your device. The first time you cast to a particular Chromecast, you may see a brief pairing code on your TV screen to confirm the connection is find.

Key Takeaways

  • Android devices use Quick Settings (swipe down twice), iPhones use Control Center (swipe from top right), Windows uses Windows key + K, and Mac uses the Control Center icon.
  • Your Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the device you are casting from, or casting will not work.
  • Casting your entire screen drains your phone or tablet battery faster than normal, so plug in if you plan to cast for more than an hour.
  • If your Chromecast does not appear in the Cast list, restart both the Chromecast and the device you are casting from, then try again.

What you need before you start

Your Chromecast device must be plugged in and powered on. It should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the phone, tablet, or computer you want to cast from. If your Chromecast is on a different network — for example, a guest network — it will not appear in your Cast list.

Check that your Chromecast is set up and working. If you have not set it up yet, use the Google Home app on your phone or tablet to complete the initial setup. The app will walk you through connecting your Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network and your Google account.

Make sure the TV or monitor your Chromecast is plugged into is turned on and set to the correct input. If the TV is off or on the wrong input, you will not see anything appear on screen even though casting is working.

Casting from Android phones and tablets

On Android, the Cast button lives in Quick Settings. Swipe down from the top of your screen once to open the notification shade, then swipe down again to open the full Quick Settings panel. Look for a button labeled Cast or Screen Cast. Tap it.

A list of available Chromecast devices will appear. Tap the name of the Chromecast you want to use. Your Android screen will begin mirroring to your TV within a few seconds. Everything you see on your phone or tablet — apps, notifications, keyboard input — will appear on the TV.

To stop casting, open Quick Settings again and tap the Cast button, then select Disconnect. Your screen will return to normal on your phone or tablet, and the TV will show whatever was on it before you started casting.

Casting from iPhones and iPads

On iPhone and iPad, the screen mirroring option is in Control Center. Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen to open Control Center. Look for a button labeled Screen Mirroring. Tap it.

A list of available Chromecast devices will appear. Tap the name of the Chromecast you want to use. You may see a prompt asking you to enter a code that appears on your TV screen — this is a security check and only happens the first time you cast to that device. Enter the code, and your screen will begin mirroring.

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. Your iPhone or iPad screen will no longer appear on the TV.

Casting from Windows computers

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, use the Quick Settings panel to cast. Press the Windows key and K at the same time. A panel will open on the right side of your screen showing available Chromecast devices. Click on the Chromecast you want to use.

Your Windows screen will begin mirroring to your TV. You can continue using your computer normally — everything on your screen will appear on the TV in real time. This is useful for presentations, showing photos, or playing videos.

To stop casting, press Windows key + K again and click Disconnect. Your screen will stop mirroring, and the TV will return to whatever was on it before.

Casting from Mac computers

On Mac, screen mirroring is accessed through the Control Center. Click the Control Center icon in the top right corner of your menu bar — it looks like a rectangle with sliders. A menu will drop down. Look for Screen Mirroring and click it.

A list of available Chromecast devices will appear. Click the name of the Chromecast you want to use. Your Mac screen will begin mirroring to your TV. The first time you connect to a particular Chromecast, you may need to enter a pairing code shown on your TV.

To stop mirroring, click the Control Center icon again, click Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

Troubleshooting when casting does not work

If your Chromecast does not appear in the Cast list, the most common cause is that your device is not on the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast. Check your phone, tablet, or computer's Wi-Fi settings and make sure you are connected to the same network name (SSID) as your Chromecast. If you are on a different network, disconnect and reconnect to the correct one.

If you are on the correct network and the Chromecast still does not appear, restart both devices. Unplug your Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up — this usually takes about a minute. At the same time, restart your phone, tablet, or computer. Then try casting again.

If casting starts but the picture is choppy, freezes, or lags, move your device closer to your Chromecast or router. Walls and distance can weaken your Wi-Fi signal. You can also try restarting your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.

If you see a message saying "This app is not compatible with Chromecast" when you try to cast a specific app, that app does not support casting. You can still cast your entire screen instead, which will show everything on your device on the TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does casting use a lot of data?

Casting uses your local Wi-Fi network, not your mobile data plan, so it does not count against any data limits. However, if you are casting video or streaming content, your Wi-Fi network needs a strong signal to avoid buffering or lag.

Can I use my phone while casting?

Yes. When you cast your screen, you can still use your phone, tablet, or computer normally. Everything you do on the device will appear on the TV in real time. You can open apps, type, swipe, and tap just as you normally would.

Why does my screen casting drain my battery so fast?

Screen casting requires your device to constantly send video data to your Chromecast, which uses more power than normal. If you plan to cast for longer than an hour, plug your device into a charger to avoid running out of battery.

Can I cast to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time?

No. You can only cast to one Chromecast device at a time from a single phone, tablet, or computer. If you want to cast to multiple TVs, you would need to cast from different devices or disconnect from one Chromecast and connect to another.

What if I forget to disconnect before I leave?

If you leave your home while still casting, your screen will continue to appear on your TV until you manually disconnect. You can disconnect remotely by opening the Cast menu on your phone or computer and selecting Disconnect, as long as you are still on the same Wi-Fi network.