How to Stream Amazon Video on Your Chromecast Device

Casting Amazon Video to Chromecast requires a workaround because Amazon does not support direct casting

Amazon Prime Video does not have a built-in Chromecast button like Netflix or YouTube do. Instead, you have three real ways to get Amazon Video onto your TV through Chromecast: use the Google Home app to mirror your phone screen, cast from a web browser on your computer, or use a Chromecast with Google TV (which has a native Prime Video app). The easiest route depends on what device you already have in your hand.

The reason for this gap is a business decision by Amazon—they prefer to sell their own Fire TV devices rather than make casting seamless on competitors' hardware. But the workarounds are straightforward and work reliably once you know which one fits your setup.

Key Takeaways

You can mirror your entire phone screen to Chromecast using the Google Home app, which lets you play any Amazon Video content on your TV.
Chromecast with Google TV has a native Prime Video app built in, so you can search and play directly without mirroring.
You can cast from a web browser on your computer by opening Prime Video in Chrome and using the browser's cast button.
All three methods require that your Chromecast device and your phone or computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Screen mirroring works but uses more battery and bandwidth than native apps, so it is best for occasional use rather than marathon watching.

Screen mirroring from your phone using Google Home

This is the most common workaround because most people already have the Google Home app installed. Open Google Home on your phone, tap the device icon in the top right corner, select your Chromecast, and look for "Cast my screen" (on Android) or "Cast screen" (on iPhone). Your entire phone display will appear on your TV, and you can then open the Prime Video app and play anything you want.

The downside is that your phone screen is now mirroring everything—notifications, incoming calls, and battery drain all happen while casting. If you pause the video, your phone's home screen shows on the TV. For watching a single movie or episode, this works fine. For extended viewing, the native app methods below are better.

Make sure your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are not, the cast button will not appear in Google Home. Restart both devices if the connection drops.

Using Chromecast with Google TV, which has Prime Video built in

If you own a Chromecast with Google TV (the newer model with a remote, released in 2020 and later), Prime Video is already installed as a native app. You do not need to mirror anything. straightforward open the Prime Video app directly on your TV, sign in with your Amazon account, and start watching.

This is the smoothest experience because the app runs on the Chromecast itself, not on your phone. You get the full Prime Video interface, recommendations, search, and all features. Your phone stays in your pocket and its battery is not affected. If you are buying a Chromecast specifically to watch Prime Video, this model is worth the extra cost.

Note: the older Chromecast (3rd generation) and earlier models do not have Google TV and do not have a native Prime Video app. Those devices require screen mirroring or browser casting instead.

Casting from a web browser on your computer

Open Prime Video in Google Chrome on your computer, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of Chrome, and select "Cast". Choose your Chromecast device from the list. The video will play on your TV while you control it from your computer.

This method works well if you are already at your computer and want to send video to the TV without using your phone. You can minimize Chrome and use your computer for other things while the video plays—the cast continues independently. You can also pause, rewind, or skip episodes using the Prime Video player in your browser.

This requires Chrome browser specifically. Safari, Firefox, and Edge do not have the cast feature built in. Your computer and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Troubleshooting when casting does not work

If the cast button does not appear in Google Home or Chrome, the most common cause is that your phone or computer is on a different Wi-Fi network than your Chromecast. Check that all devices are connected to the same network name. Some guest networks or 5GHz-only networks can also cause problems—try connecting to your main 2.4GHz network if you have one.

If casting starts but then stops or lags, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. If the video keeps buffering, move your Chromecast closer to your Wi-Fi router or check whether other devices are using a lot of bandwidth.

If you are using screen mirroring and the picture is choppy, lower the screen resolution on your phone or reduce the video quality in the Prime Video app settings. Mirroring uses more bandwidth than native casting, so a weaker Wi-Fi signal will show up as stuttering.

Why Amazon does not support direct Chromecast casting

Amazon owns Fire TV devices and has no incentive to make their video service work smoothly on Google's hardware. This is a common pattern in tech: companies prioritize their own ecosystems. Netflix and YouTube cast natively because they are not trying to sell you a specific device. Amazon is.

The workarounds exist because Google built casting into Android and Chrome broadly, so any app can be mirrored even if it does not officially support casting. This is a fallback that works, but it is not as polished as a native implementation would be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast 4K video from Prime Video to Chromecast?

Screen mirroring and browser casting both downscale the video quality to match your Wi-Fi bandwidth and TV resolution. If you have a 4K TV and want true 4K streaming, you would need a Chromecast with Google TV (which supports 4K) and a strong Wi-Fi connection. Standard Chromecast devices max out at 1080p.

Does screen mirroring work on both Android and iPhone?

Yes. Both Android and iPhone can mirror their screens through Google Home to any Chromecast. The steps are the same: open Google Home, tap the device, and select "Cast screen" or "Cast my screen" depending on your phone type.

Will casting Prime Video drain my phone battery quickly?

Screen mirroring does use more battery than normal because your phone is constantly sending video data to the Chromecast. For a two-hour movie, expect 15 to 25 percent more battery drain than normal use. Plugging your phone in while casting solves this. Browser casting from a computer does not drain your phone at all.

What if I have a Fire TV device instead of Chromecast?

Fire TV devices have Prime Video built in natively, so you do not need to cast at all. Just open the app on your Fire TV and sign in. If you are choosing between devices, Fire TV is simpler for Prime Video specifically, while Chromecast with Google TV is better if you watch content from multiple services.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.