The basic steps to cast from your phone or computer

Casting to a Chromecast means sending video, audio, or your entire screen from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV through the Chromecast device. The process is straightforward: your device and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network, you open an app that supports casting, tap the cast icon, and select your Chromecast from the list.

The exact steps depend on what you're casting from and what app you're using, but the pattern is the same across all of them. Most apps show a cast icon that looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner—once you tap it, your Chromecast appears as an option within seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone, tablet, or computer and your Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before casting will work.
  • Most streaming apps (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos) have a built-in cast button that appears when you open them.
  • Casting from a computer browser requires the Google Chrome browser and the Google Cast extension, or built-in casting on Windows and Mac.
  • If your Chromecast doesn't appear in the cast menu, restart both your device and the Chromecast, then check that they're on the same network.

Casting from an Android phone or tablet

Open the app you want to cast from—YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos, or any other app that supports casting. Look for the cast icon, which appears as a rectangle with three curved lines in the bottom right or top right corner of the screen. Tap it.

A menu will appear showing available Chromecast devices on your network. Select the name of your Chromecast. The content will begin playing on your TV within a few seconds, and you can control playback from your phone—pause, skip, adjust volume, or stop casting by tapping the cast icon again and selecting "Disconnect."

Casting from an iPhone or iPad

The process is identical to Android. Open the app, find the cast icon (same rectangle with curved lines), and tap it. Select your Chromecast from the list. Your content appears on the TV, and you control it from your device.

If you don't see the cast icon in an app, that app may not support casting—not all apps do. Check the app's settings or help section to confirm. Some apps require you to be signed in before the cast option appears.

Casting from a Windows or Mac computer

If you're using Google Chrome, casting is built in. Open Chrome, play a video on YouTube or another supported website, and look for the cast icon in the top right corner of the browser (it looks the same as on phones). Click it and select your Chromecast.

On Windows 10 or 11, you can also cast your entire screen without Chrome. Open Settings, go to System, then Display, and look for "Cast to this PC" or "Connect to a wireless display." From there, you can cast from another Windows device or Mac. On Mac, use AirPlay to cast to a Chromecast by opening Control Center and selecting AirPlay, though this requires a Chromecast that supports AirPlay.

For most web content, Chrome is the simplest route. Just click the cast icon while watching video, and your Chromecast will appear in the dropdown menu.

What to do if your Chromecast doesn't appear

The most common reason a Chromecast doesn't show up is that your device and the Chromecast are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone or computer's Wi-Fi settings and confirm you're connected to the same network name as the Chromecast. If you have a 5GHz and 2.4GHz network with the same name, try connecting to the other one—some devices prefer one over the other.

If you're on the same network and still don't see it, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Then restart your phone or computer. Open the app again and look for the cast icon. If it still doesn't appear, check that the app itself supports casting—not all apps do.

If your Chromecast is very new, make sure it's fully set up. You should have received a notification on your phone when it was first plugged in, and you may need to complete the initial setup in the Google Home app before it's ready to receive casts.

Casting audio only from music apps

Apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Google Play Music work the same way as video apps. Open the app, tap the cast icon, and select your Chromecast. The audio will play through your TV's speakers. You can control volume and playback from your phone while the screen on your TV shows album art or a visualization.

This is useful if you want to play music throughout your home without keeping your phone screen on, or if you want to see the album art and song information on a larger screen.

Casting your entire screen or desktop

If you want to show everything on your screen—not just a single app or video—you can cast your entire display. On Android, open Settings, search for "cast," and look for an option like "Cast" or "Wireless display." Select your Chromecast. On iPhone and iPad, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Chromecast (this works on newer models).

On a Windows computer, press Windows key + K to open the Quick Settings panel, click "Connect," and select your Chromecast. On Mac, open Control Center from the menu bar, click Screen Mirroring, and select your Chromecast. Your entire desktop will appear on the TV, and you can interact with it from your computer as normal.

Full-screen casting uses more bandwidth and battery than casting a single app, so it's best for presentations or when you need to show multiple things in sequence.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Your device and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you're on a guest network and the Chromecast is on the main network, they won't see each other. Check your network settings and make sure both are on the same one.

Can I cast while using other apps on my phone?

Yes. Once you've started casting, you can close the app or use your phone for other things. The content continues playing on your TV. You can open the same app again to control playback, or use the Google Home app to manage your cast.

Why does casting stop when I close the app?

Some apps stop playback when you close them, while others continue. YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify usually keep playing. If an app stops, try opening it again and resuming—or use the Google Home app to see if you can control the cast from there.

Can I cast from multiple devices at the same time?

No. Only one device can cast to a Chromecast at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you're casting, they'll see an option to take over. The previous cast will stop.

What if the video keeps buffering while I cast?

Buffering usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your network is congested. Move closer to your router, reduce the number of devices using Wi-Fi, or restart your router. You can also try lowering the video quality in the app's settings if that option is available.