You can cast Amazon Prime Video to a Chromecast device from your phone or computer

Amazon Prime Video works with Chromecast on Android phones and computers running Windows or Mac. You open the Prime Video app or website, find the show or movie you want to watch, and tap or click the cast icon to send it to your Chromecast device. The video then plays on your TV while you control it from your phone or computer.

The process takes about 30 seconds once you have the app installed and your Chromecast connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone or computer. You do not need to buy anything extra or change any settings on your Chromecast itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon Prime Video casting works from the mobile app on Android phones and from the website on Windows and Mac computers.
  • Your phone or computer and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • The cast icon appears in the player controls once you start playing a video.
  • iPhone and iPad users cannot cast Prime Video directly to Chromecast because Apple restricts that feature.

Casting from an Android phone

Open the Prime Video app on your Android phone and search for or navigate to the title you want to watch. Start playing the video. In the player controls at the bottom of the screen, look for the cast icon — it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner, usually in the top right area of the controls.

Tap the cast icon. A menu appears showing available Chromecast devices on your network. Select the Chromecast you want to use. The video begins playing on your TV, and your phone becomes the remote. You can pause, rewind, fast-forward, and adjust volume from your phone screen. The video continues playing even if you lock your phone or switch to another app.

Casting from a Windows or Mac computer

Go to primevideo.com in your web browser and sign in to your account. Search for or navigate to the title you want to watch and start playing it. Look for the cast icon in the video player — it is usually in the bottom right corner next to the volume control and fullscreen button.

Click the cast icon. A list of available Chromecast devices appears. Select the device you want to use. The video plays on your TV, and you can control playback from your computer. You can close the browser tab or minimize the window, and the video keeps playing on your TV.

What to do if the cast icon does not appear

The cast icon only shows up when your phone or computer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Check that both devices are connected to the same network. If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, try connecting your phone or computer to the 2.4 GHz band, as some Chromecast devices work better on that frequency.

If the icon still does not appear, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. Then restart the Prime Video app or refresh the website. Make sure your Prime Video app is up to date by checking your phone's app store for updates.

Why iPhone and iPad cannot cast Prime Video to Chromecast

Apple does not allow apps on iPhone and iPad to send video directly to Chromecast devices. This is a restriction built into iOS and iPadOS, not a limitation of Prime Video itself. Amazon has no way around this restriction.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can still watch Prime Video on your TV by using an Apple TV device, AirPlay to an AirPlay-compatible TV, or by using a different device like an Android phone or computer to cast instead. Some newer Samsung and LG TVs support AirPlay, which works with iPhone and iPad.

Troubleshooting casting problems

If the video starts on your TV but then stops or buffers frequently, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Move your Chromecast closer to your router or move your phone or computer closer to the router. If you are far from the router, the connection between your device and Chromecast can drop.

If the video plays on your TV but the audio is out of sync with the picture, restart the cast by stopping playback, waiting 10 seconds, and starting again. If casting keeps disconnecting, restart both your Chromecast and your phone or computer. If the problem continues, try casting a different video to see whether the issue is specific to one title or happens with all videos.

What happens to your Prime Video account while casting

Casting counts as one active stream on your Prime Video account. If your plan allows multiple simultaneous streams, other people on your account can watch Prime Video on other devices at the same time. If you reach your stream limit, you will see an error message on your TV or phone telling you to stop playback on another device.

The video quality depends on your internet speed and your Chromecast model. Chromecast with Google TV and newer Chromecast models support 4K video if your internet connection is fast enough and your Prime Video subscription includes 4K content. Standard Chromecast models play video at up to 1080p.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast Amazon Prime Video from the web browser on my phone?

The cast feature works best from the Prime Video app on Android. The website version on mobile browsers may not show the cast icon reliably. For the most consistent experience on your phone, read the Prime Video app from Google Play.

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

Casting will not work if your devices are on different networks. Both your phone or computer and your Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you have a guest network, make sure both devices are on the main network, not the guest network.

Does casting use data from my phone plan?

No. Once casting starts, your Chromecast streams directly from the internet using your home Wi-Fi. Your phone or computer is only sending the command to start playback and receiving control signals back. The video itself does not go through your phone.

Can I use my phone while a video is casting?

Yes. Once the video starts playing on your TV, your phone is just a remote control. You can lock your phone, switch to other apps, or even leave the room. The video continues playing on your TV until you stop it or the video ends.

Why does the video quality look worse on my TV than on my phone?

This usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Chromecast adjusts video quality based on your connection speed. If your router is far from your Chromecast, move the Chromecast closer to the router or move your router to a more central location in your home.