The basic steps to cast to your TV

To cast to your TV, you need three things: a Chromecast device plugged into your TV's HDMI port, your phone or computer on the same Wi-Fi network, and the app or content you want to cast. Open the app, look for the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), tap it, and select your TV from the list. The content appears on your screen within seconds.

The cast icon appears in different places depending on what you are using. In YouTube, it is in the top right. In Google Photos, it is in the top right as well. In Chrome on a computer, it is in the three-dot menu. Some apps put it in the playback controls at the bottom. If you do not see a cast icon, the app does not support casting — you will need to use screen mirroring instead.

Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work. If your Chromecast is not showing up in the cast menu, check that both devices are connected to the same network. Restart your Wi-Fi router if the connection drops, and restart the Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • The cast icon appears in most Google apps and some third-party apps, but its location varies — check the top right corner or the three-dot menu first.
  • Your phone or computer and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and the Chromecast must be plugged into an HDMI port on your TV.
  • Casting sends video and audio to your TV while you keep control on your phone or computer — you can pause, skip, or adjust volume from either device.
  • If an app does not have a cast icon, use screen mirroring instead, which copies your entire screen rather than just the video or content.

Casting from your phone or tablet

On Android, open any app that supports casting — YouTube, Google Photos, Google Play Music, Spotify, Netflix, and many others. Tap the cast icon, usually in the top right corner or in the playback controls. A menu appears showing all Chromecast devices on your network. Tap the one connected to your TV. The content starts playing on your TV, and you can control it from your phone.

On iPhone or iPad, the process is the same for apps that support casting. YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Disney+ all have cast icons. Tap it, select your TV, and the content moves to the big screen. Your phone stays in your hand and acts as a remote — you can pause, rewind, skip, and adjust volume without touching the TV.

While casting, your phone screen can go dark or you can use other apps without interrupting playback. The video continues on your TV independently. This is different from screen mirroring, which stops if your phone locks or switches apps.

Casting from your computer or laptop

On a Windows or Mac computer using Chrome, open the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the browser. Click "Cast" and select your TV from the list. You can cast a single tab (just that website or video) or your entire desktop. If you choose "Cast tab," only that browser tab appears on your TV. If you choose "Cast desktop," everything on your screen — windows, notifications, cursor — appears on your TV.

Casting a tab is useful when you want to watch a video or show a presentation while keeping other work private on your computer. Casting your desktop is useful when you want to show everything, including multiple windows or documents. You control what happens on your computer, and the TV follows in real time.

Close the cast connection by clicking the cast icon again and selecting "Stop casting." Your TV goes back to its previous input, and your computer screen returns to normal.

Screen mirroring when casting is not available

If an app does not have a cast icon, you can use screen mirroring instead. This copies your entire phone or computer screen to your TV. On Android, go to Settings, select "Connected devices" or "Display," and look for "Cast" or "Wireless display." Tap your Chromecast device. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right to open Control Center, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select your TV.

Screen mirroring is slower to start than casting and uses more battery on your phone. It also stops if your phone locks or goes to sleep — you have to unlock it to resume. Casting is faster and more efficient because it only sends the video or audio, not your entire screen. Use screen mirroring only when the app you want does not have a cast icon.

To stop screen mirroring on Android, go back to Settings and tap "Disconnect." On iPhone, open Control Center again, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select "Stop Mirroring."

Troubleshooting when your TV does not appear in the cast menu

The most common reason your Chromecast does not show up is that your phone or computer is on a different Wi-Fi network than the Chromecast. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure you are connected to the same network name as your TV. If your router broadcasts two networks (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), your phone might be on one and your Chromecast on the other — try connecting your phone to the same band.

If both devices are on the same network and the Chromecast still does not appear, restart it by unplugging the power cable for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Wait for the light on the Chromecast to stop blinking. Then try casting again. If that does not work, restart your phone or computer as well.

If your Chromecast is very old, it may not support the latest apps. Check the Chromecast model number on the device itself or in your Google Home app — go to Settings, select your Chromecast, and look for the device information. Newer apps sometimes drop support for older hardware. In that case, you can still use screen mirroring or update to a newer Chromecast model.

Controlling playback while casting

While casting, your phone or computer is your remote. Pause, play, skip, rewind, and adjust volume from your device — the TV responds when ready. You can also lock your phone or switch to another app without stopping the video. The content continues on your TV while your phone does something else.

Some apps let you adjust settings while casting. In YouTube, you can change the video quality, turn on captions, or switch to a different video. In Spotify, you can skip songs, change the volume, or queue up new tracks. The TV shows what is playing, and your phone shows the controls.

If you want to stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting" or "Disconnect." The video stops on your TV, and your phone returns to normal playback if you want to continue watching there.

Casting audio only

Some apps let you cast audio without video — useful for music, podcasts, or radio. Spotify, Google Play Music, YouTube Music, and Pandora all support audio casting. The process is the same: tap the cast icon, select your TV or a speaker connected to your Chromecast, and the audio plays through your TV's speakers or that speaker. Your phone screen can lock or you can use other apps without interrupting the music.

Audio casting uses less bandwidth than video casting and drains your phone battery more slowly. If you are listening to music for hours, audio casting is more efficient than screen mirroring or casting video.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Your phone or computer and your Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you are on a guest network or a different band (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz), casting will not work. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and connect to the same network as your Chromecast.

Can I cast while my phone is locked?

Yes, if you are casting from an app like YouTube or Spotify. The video or audio continues on your TV even if your phone locks. Screen mirroring is different — it stops if your phone locks because it is copying your entire screen.

What is the difference between casting and screen mirroring?

Casting sends just the video or audio from an app to your TV, while you control it from your phone. Screen mirroring copies your entire phone or computer screen to your TV. Casting is faster and uses less battery. Screen mirroring is useful when an app does not have a cast icon.

Why does my Chromecast keep disconnecting?

This usually means your Wi-Fi connection is weak or unstable. Move your Chromecast closer to your router, or move your router closer to your TV. Restart your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds. If the problem continues, restart your Chromecast the same way.

Can I cast from multiple phones to the same TV?

Only one device can cast at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you are casting, they will see a message saying the TV is in use. When you stop casting, the next person can start. Some apps let you queue videos or songs while someone else is casting, so they play after the current content ends.