The basic steps to cast from your phone or computer to a Chromecast device

Casting to your TV requires three things: a Chromecast device plugged into your TV's HDMI port, a phone or computer on the same Wi-Fi network, and an app that supports casting. The actual cast button appears inside compatible apps — it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner. Tap or click it, select your Chromecast device from the list, and the content moves to your TV within seconds.

Your Chromecast device must be set up first. Plug it into an available HDMI port on your TV, connect the power cable, turn on the TV, and switch to that HDMI input. The Chromecast will display a setup code on your screen. Use the Google Home app on your phone to scan that code or enter it manually, then connect the device to your Wi-Fi network. Once setup is complete, you can cast from any phone, tablet, or computer on that same network.

The casting experience differs slightly depending on what you are casting. Streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify have built-in cast buttons. Your phone's screen can be mirrored entirely to the TV through the Quick Settings menu on Android or Control Center on iPhone (though iPhone mirroring requires AirPlay, not Chromecast). Tabs from Chrome browser can also be cast to show your computer screen on the TV.

Key Takeaways

  • Set up your Chromecast by plugging it into an HDMI port, powering it on, and connecting it to Wi-Fi using the Google Home app.
  • The cast button appears inside apps that support Chromecast — look for the rectangle-with-curved-lines icon and tap it to send content to your TV.
  • Your phone, tablet, or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device for casting to work.
  • If casting fails, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then check that both devices are still on the same Wi-Fi network.

Setting up your Chromecast device for the first time

Plug the Chromecast into an HDMI port on the back or side of your TV. Connect the included power cable to the Chromecast and plug it into a wall outlet or USB port on your TV (if your TV has one). Turn on your TV and use the remote to switch to the HDMI input where you plugged in the Chromecast. You should see a setup screen with a code displayed.

Open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet. Tap the plus icon in the top left corner and select "Set up device." Choose "Set up a new device" and scan the code shown on your TV screen, or enter it manually if scanning does not work. The app will ask you to name your Chromecast (for example, "Living Room TV") and connect it to your Wi-Fi network. Enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted. Once the device connects, you will see a confirmation message and can start casting.

If you do not have the Google Home app, read it from the Google Play Store on Android or the App Store on iPhone. The app is required to set up and manage your Chromecast, though casting itself happens through individual apps like Netflix or YouTube.

How to cast from streaming apps on your phone

Open any app that supports Chromecast — Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Disney+, Hulu, and most other major streaming services have the feature built in. Look for the cast icon, which looks like a small rectangle with curved lines coming from the bottom right corner. On most apps, this icon appears in the top right or bottom right of the screen.

Tap the cast icon. A list of available Chromecast devices will appear. Select the name of your Chromecast (for example, "Living Room TV"). The content will begin playing on your TV within a few seconds. Your phone screen will show a small notification that casting is active, and you can use your phone to pause, rewind, or adjust volume while content plays on the TV.

To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting" or straightforward close the app. The content will stop on your TV, and you can return to using your phone normally. Your Chromecast will return to its home screen on the TV.

Casting your entire phone or computer screen to the TV

On Android phones, open Quick Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen twice. Look for a button labeled "Cast" or "Screen cast." Tap it and select your Chromecast device from the list. Your entire phone screen will now appear on the TV. Everything you do on your phone — opening apps, typing, scrolling — will show on the TV in real time. To stop, tap the cast button again and select "Stop casting."

On Windows computers, open the Action Center by pressing Windows key + A. Click "Connect" and select your Chromecast device. Your computer screen will appear on the TV. On Mac computers, open Control Center, click "Screen Mirroring," and select your Chromecast. Note that Mac screen mirroring to Chromecast may have limited support depending on your Mac model and Chromecast generation.

Screen casting uses more bandwidth than casting individual apps, so your Wi-Fi connection should be strong. If the screen lags or disconnects frequently, move your device closer to your Wi-Fi router or reduce the number of other devices using the network.

Casting from Chrome browser on your computer

Open Google Chrome on your computer and navigate to the website or video you want to cast. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the browser. Select "Cast" from the dropdown menu. A window will open showing available Chromecast devices. Click the name of your Chromecast to begin casting.

When you cast a Chrome tab, only that tab appears on your TV — the rest of your browser and desktop remain private on your computer. You can continue using your computer normally while the tab plays on the TV. To stop casting, click the cast icon again and select "Stop casting."

Some websites may not allow casting due to copyright protection. If you see an error message, the website owner has restricted casting for that content. In those cases, you can use screen casting instead to show your entire computer screen on the TV.

Troubleshooting common casting problems

If the cast button does not appear in an app, the app may not support Chromecast. Check the app's settings or help section to confirm. If the app does support casting but the button is missing, try closing and reopening the app, or restart your phone.

If your Chromecast device does not appear in the cast list, both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and your Chromecast's network status in the Google Home app. If they are on different networks, connect your phone to the same network as your Chromecast. Restart your phone and your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in.

If casting starts but stops or lags, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Move your phone or computer closer to your router, or move your Chromecast closer to the router. Reduce the number of other devices using the network. If problems continue, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

If your TV shows "No Signal" or a black screen after you plug in the Chromecast, make sure you switched to the correct HDMI input on your TV remote. Check that the Chromecast power cable is fully connected. If the screen still does not appear, unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds and plug it back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a subscription to use Chromecast?

No. Chromecast itself is free to use once you own the device. You only need subscriptions to the streaming services you want to watch — Netflix, Spotify, YouTube Premium, and so on. Free services like YouTube and many others work without any subscription.

Can I cast from an iPhone to Chromecast?

Some apps like Netflix and YouTube support casting from iPhone to Chromecast. However, iPhone's native screen mirroring uses AirPlay, not Chromecast, so you cannot mirror your entire iPhone screen to a Chromecast device. If an app does not have a cast button, you will need an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible device instead.

What happens if I lose Wi-Fi while casting?

If your Wi-Fi drops, casting will stop and your TV will return to its home screen. Reconnect to Wi-Fi and try casting again. If you are casting a video, you may need to restart it from the beginning.

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

Only one device can cast at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you are already casting, they will see a message that the Chromecast is in use. They can take over by selecting the device and confirming, which will stop your cast.

Does casting work on a TV that is not a smart TV?

Yes. Any TV with an HDMI port can use Chromecast. The Chromecast device itself handles all the smart features — your TV only needs to display the HDMI input. This makes Chromecast a way to add casting to older TVs that do not have built-in smart features.