The basic steps to cast from your phone or computer
Casting to Chromecast means sending video, music, or photos from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV through a wireless connection. The device you're casting from and your Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Once they are, you open an app that supports casting, tap the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), select your Chromecast device, and the content appears on your TV.
The cast icon appears in different places depending on the app. In YouTube, it's in the top right corner. In Spotify, it's in the bottom left. In Google Photos, it's in the top right. Not every app supports casting — if you don't see the icon, the app doesn't have that feature.
Your phone or computer stays in control the whole time. You can pause, skip, or adjust volume from your device while the content plays on the TV. You can also keep using your phone for other things — casting runs in the background.
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 icon appears in supported apps and looks like a rectangle with curved lines; tap it and select your Chromecast device.
- Casting works with YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos, and many other apps, but not all apps have this feature.
- Your device controls playback while casting — you can pause, skip, or change volume from your phone even while content plays on the TV.
- If casting stops working, restart your Chromecast, restart your phone or computer, and check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Casting video from your phone or tablet
Open the app with the video you want to watch — YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, or another streaming service. Find the video and start playing it. Look for the cast icon in the app's player controls. On most apps it's in the top or bottom right corner of the screen.
Tap the cast icon. A menu appears showing available Chromecast devices on your network. Select the Chromecast you want to use. The video stops on your phone and starts on your TV. The app on your phone now shows a small player so you can control playback — pause, play, skip forward or back, and adjust volume all work from your device.
To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Disconnect" or "Stop Casting." The video stops on the TV and you can resume watching on your phone if you want.
Casting music from Spotify, YouTube Music, and other apps
Open Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, or another music streaming app. Start playing a song. The cast icon appears in the player controls — on Spotify it's in the bottom left corner of the screen, on YouTube Music it's in the top right.
Tap the cast icon and select your Chromecast device. The music plays through your TV's speakers. Your phone shows the song that's playing and lets you pause, skip, or change the volume. You can close the app or lock your phone and the music keeps playing.
Some music apps let you cast to multiple Chromecast devices at once if you have more than one in your home. Check the app's settings to see if this option is available.
Casting photos and slideshows from Google Photos
Open Google Photos on your phone or tablet. Find the photo or album you want to display. Tap the cast icon in the top right corner and select your Chromecast device. The photo appears on your TV.
If you select an entire album, Google Photos shows a slideshow on your TV — each photo displays for a few seconds before moving to the next one. You control the slideshow from your phone: pause it, skip to the next photo, or go back to the previous one. You can also adjust how long each photo stays on screen in the app's settings.
Casting photos works well for displaying family pictures, vacation photos, or artwork on your TV without needing to connect cables or use a remote.
Casting from a computer or laptop
On a Windows or Mac computer, open Chrome and go to the website with the content you want to cast — YouTube, Netflix, or another streaming site. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of Chrome and select "Cast." A menu shows available Chromecast devices. Click the one you want to use.
The video or content plays on your TV. Your computer stays in control — you can pause, skip, or adjust volume from your keyboard or trackpad. The Chrome tab you're casting from stays open on your computer.
You can also cast your entire computer screen to your TV, which is useful if you want to show a presentation, browse the web on the big screen, or display photos from your computer's files. To do this, click the three-dot menu in Chrome, select "Cast," then choose "Cast entire screen" instead of a specific tab.
What to do when casting isn't working
If the cast icon doesn't appear in an app, that app doesn't support casting. Check the app's help section or look for a different app that does. For example, if your music app doesn't have casting, try YouTube Music or Spotify instead.
If the cast icon appears but you don't see your Chromecast device in the list, check that both your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. Look in your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure you're connected to the same network name as your Chromecast. If they're on different networks, connect your phone to the correct network and try again.
If casting was working and suddenly stopped, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Then restart your phone or computer. Wait for both devices to fully restart and reconnect to Wi-Fi, then try casting again. This fixes most connection problems.
If you're still having trouble, forget the Wi-Fi network on your phone and reconnect to it. Go to your phone's Wi-Fi settings, tap the network name, and select "Forget." Then reconnect by selecting the network again and entering the password. This refreshes the connection and often solves casting issues.
Casting to multiple devices at once
Some apps let you cast to more than one Chromecast device at the same time. This is useful if you have Chromecast devices in different rooms and want to play the same music or video in multiple places.
In Spotify, you can cast to multiple devices by tapping the cast icon, selecting one device, then tapping the cast icon again and selecting additional devices. The same song plays on all of them. YouTube Music and some other apps have similar features — check the app's settings to see if multi-device casting is available.
Keep in mind that casting to multiple devices uses more of your phone's battery and internet bandwidth. If you notice slower performance or your phone getting hot, casting to fewer devices may help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for casting or is it included with Chromecast?
Casting itself is free and built into Chromecast. You only pay for the streaming services you use — Netflix, Spotify, YouTube Premium, and so on. The casting feature doesn't add any extra cost.
Can I cast if I'm not home on my home Wi-Fi network?
No. Your phone or computer and your Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network to cast. If you're away from home, you can't cast to a Chromecast on your home network. Some apps like YouTube let you cast to a Chromecast you've set up in your account, but this requires special setup through the app's settings.
What happens to my phone battery when I'm casting?
Casting uses some battery power, but less than playing video on your phone screen. Your phone stays connected to Wi-Fi and sends the stream to your TV, but the screen can stay on or turn off depending on the app. Turning off your phone's screen saves the most battery while casting.
Can I cast from an iPhone or iPad to Chromecast?
Yes. Apps like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Google Photos work the same way on iPhone and iPad as they do on Android phones. Tap the cast icon and select your Chromecast device. Some apps designed only for Apple devices may not have casting, so check the app before you buy it.
Why does casting sometimes lag or buffer?
Casting depends on your Wi-Fi connection. If your Wi-Fi is slow or your phone is far from the router, the stream may lag or pause. Move closer to your router, restart your router, or reduce the number of devices using Wi-Fi at the same time. If you're casting high-quality video, a stronger Wi-Fi signal helps.