The basic steps to cast from your phone, tablet, or computer

Casting sends video or audio from your device to a TV or speaker connected to a Chromecast. The process is the same across Android phones, iPhones, tablets, and computers: open an app that supports casting, tap or click the Cast button, choose your Chromecast device, and the content plays on your TV instead of your phone's screen.

Your device and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Once they are, the Cast button appears in any app that supports it — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos, and hundreds of others. You do not need to pair them beforehand or enter a password; the Chromecast handles the connection automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone, tablet, or computer and your Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before casting will work.
  • The Cast button appears inside supported apps — look for a rectangle with curved lines in the corner, usually in the top or bottom right.
  • Tap or click the Cast button, select your Chromecast device from the list, and the content plays on your TV within seconds.
  • You can control playback from your device while casting, and your screen stays dark so you can use your phone for other things.
  • If the Cast button does not appear, the app does not support casting, or your devices are not on the same network.

Finding and tapping the Cast button in your app

The Cast button looks like a small rectangle with curved lines in one corner — it resembles a TV screen with a signal. In most apps, it sits in the top right or bottom right of the screen. In YouTube, it is in the top right. In Spotify, it is in the bottom right. In Google Photos, it is in the top right.

If you do not see the Cast button, swipe down from the top of your phone screen to open the quick settings menu. On Android, look for a "Cast" or "Screen cast" tile. On iPhone, open Control Center and look for "AirPlay" (which works with some Chromecast devices but not all). If neither appears, the app you are using does not support casting, or your device is not on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast.

Selecting your Chromecast device and starting playback

When you tap the Cast button, a list of nearby Chromecast devices appears. Each device shows its name — usually something like "Living Room" or "Bedroom" if you named it during setup. Tap the device you want to cast to. Within a few seconds, the content appears on your TV, and a small notification on your phone confirms the cast is active.

Once casting starts, your phone screen can go dark or you can open another app — the video or audio continues playing on your TV. You control playback using your phone: pause, rewind, skip, or adjust volume using your device's controls, and the TV responds in real time. To stop casting, tap the Cast button again and select "Stop casting" or straightforward close the app.

Casting from a computer or laptop

On a Windows or Mac computer, open Chrome and navigate to a website with video or audio — YouTube, Netflix, or a news site with video. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of Chrome, then click "Cast." A window opens showing your available Chromecast devices. Click the device you want to cast to, and the video plays on your TV.

You can also cast your entire computer screen to a Chromecast. In Chrome, click the three-dot menu, select "Cast," then click "Cast entire screen" at the bottom of the window. Your whole screen appears on the TV, and you can use your computer normally — open files, type, click, and everything shows on the TV in real time. This is useful for presentations, showing photos, or sharing documents with others in the room.

Troubleshooting when casting does not work

If the Cast button does not appear or your device does not find your Chromecast, check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm you are connected to the same network name as your Chromecast. Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in, then try casting again.

If you see the Cast button but the connection fails, restart your phone or computer and your Chromecast. Make sure your Chromecast is plugged into power and the TV is on. If the app you are using is very old, update it from the App Store or Google Play — older versions sometimes lose casting support. If you still have trouble, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

What to do if your app does not support casting

Not every app supports casting. Streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and Hulu do. Music apps like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music do. But some apps, especially smaller ones or those with strict licensing rules, do not include a Cast button.

If an app does not support casting, you have two alternatives. On Android, you can cast your entire phone screen to the Chromecast — open your quick settings menu, tap "Cast" or "Screen cast," select your device, and your whole screen appears on the TV. On iPhone, you can use AirPlay if your Chromecast supports it (some models do, some do not — check your device's documentation). If neither option works, the app straightforward is not compatible with casting.

Controlling playback and managing multiple devices

While casting, your phone becomes a remote control. Pause, play, skip forward or backward, adjust volume, and seek to any point in the video — all from your device. The TV screen shows the video, and your phone shows the controls. You can lock your phone, open another app, or even leave the room; the content keeps playing on the TV.

If you have multiple Chromecast devices in your home, you can cast to any of them. When you tap the Cast button, the list shows all available devices on your network. Select the one you want, and the content goes there instead. You can also switch devices mid-cast: tap the Cast button again, select a different device, and playback moves to that TV or speaker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair my phone with my Chromecast before casting?

No. As long as your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network, they connect automatically when you tap Cast. You do not need to enter a PIN, password, or do any setup beyond making sure both devices see the same network.

Can I use my phone while something is casting?

Yes. Once casting starts, your phone screen can turn off or you can open other apps. The video or audio continues playing on your TV. You can still control playback — pause, skip, or adjust volume — from your device at any time.

What if my Chromecast is on a different Wi-Fi network than my phone?

Casting will not work. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure you are connected to the same network name as your Chromecast. If your home has a guest network, your Chromecast and phone should both be on the main network, not the guest network.

Can I cast from an iPhone to a Chromecast?

Some apps on iPhone support casting to Chromecast — YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify do. Look for the Cast button inside the app. Not all iPhone apps support Chromecast casting, but the major streaming services do. If an app does not have a Cast button, it does not support casting to Chromecast.

Why does the Cast button not show up in my app?

The app either does not support casting, or your device is not on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Check your Wi-Fi settings first. If you are on the correct network and the button still does not appear, try updating the app from the App Store or Google Play. If it still does not appear after updating, that app does not support casting.