Casting from Chrome on Android works through the Cast button in your browser menu
To cast a webpage from Chrome on your Android phone or tablet to a Chromecast-connected TV, open the page you want to watch, tap the three-dot menu button in the top right corner of Chrome, and select Cast. Your phone will search for nearby Chromecast devices on the same Wi-Fi network. Tap the device name to connect. The webpage will then appear on your TV screen, and you can continue browsing on your phone while the cast stays active.
The Cast feature works best when your Android device and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. If you don't see the Cast option in your menu, make sure you're using a recent version of Chrome from the Google Play Store. You can also cast full-screen video, photos, or just the browser tab—Chrome gives you control over what appears on the TV.
Key Takeaways
- Open any webpage in Chrome on Android, tap the three-dot menu, and select Cast to send it to your TV.
- Your Android device and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
- You can cast just the current tab or your entire screen, depending on what you're trying to watch.
- Once casting starts, you can continue using your phone for other tasks while the content plays on your TV.
- If the Cast button doesn't appear, update Chrome from the Google Play Store to the latest version.
Finding and tapping the Cast button in Chrome
The Cast button lives in Chrome's menu, not on the main toolbar. Open Chrome and navigate to the webpage you want to cast. In the top right corner, you'll see three vertical dots (sometimes called the hamburger menu). Tap that button to open a dropdown list of options.
Scroll down through the menu until you see Cast. It usually appears near the bottom of the list. Tap it, and Chrome will begin searching for Chromecast devices on your network. This search takes a few seconds. If you use Cast frequently, Chrome will remember your last-used device and may show it at the top of the list the next time you open the menu.
Selecting your Chromecast device
After you tap Cast, a small window will pop up showing all available Chromecast devices within range on your Wi-Fi network. Each device appears with its name—for example, "Living Room TV" or "Bedroom Chromecast." Tap the device you want to cast to. Your phone will connect to that device, and the webpage will begin streaming to your TV within a few seconds.
If you don't see your Chromecast device in the list, check that both your phone and the Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If they're on different networks (for example, if your phone is on a guest network), casting won't work. Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in, and try searching again.
Casting a tab versus your entire screen
Chrome on Android gives you two casting options. Cast tab sends only the current webpage to your TV—this is the default and uses less bandwidth. Your phone screen stays independent, so you can open other apps, check messages, or browse without affecting what's on the TV. This is the best choice for watching videos, reading articles, or viewing photos on a larger screen.
Cast screen (also called mirror) sends everything on your phone's display to the TV, including notifications, other apps, and anything else you open. To switch between these modes, open the Cast menu again after you've started casting. You'll see options to change which content is being sent. Screen casting uses more battery and data, so use it only when you need to show your entire phone display.
Controlling playback and stopping the cast
Once casting is active, you can control video playback directly from your phone. If you're watching a video on the webpage, play and pause buttons will appear on your phone's screen. You can also adjust volume using your phone's volume buttons—the sound will come from your TV's speakers, not your phone.
To stop casting, tap the three-dot menu in Chrome again and select Cast. A window will appear showing your currently connected device with a Stop casting option. Tap it to disconnect. The webpage will stop appearing on your TV, but it will remain open in Chrome on your phone. You can also stop casting by turning off your Chromecast device or disconnecting it from power.
Troubleshooting when Cast doesn't appear or won't connect
If you don't see the Cast button in Chrome's menu, the most common cause is an outdated version of the app. Open the Google Play Store, search for Chrome, and check whether an update is available. Tap Update if one is shown. After updating, close Chrome completely and reopen it. The Cast option should now appear in the menu.
If Cast appears but your Chromecast device doesn't show up in the list, verify that your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings to confirm which network you're connected to, then check your Chromecast settings on the TV to see which network it's using. If they don't match, connect your phone to the same network as your Chromecast. If the device still doesn't appear, restart both your phone and your Chromecast, then try again.
If casting starts but the video stutters, buffers, or disconnects frequently, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Move your phone closer to your router or Chromecast, or reduce the number of other devices using the network. You can also try lowering the video quality on the webpage if that option is available.
Using Cast with different types of content
Cast works with most webpages, but some websites have built-in Cast support that makes the experience smoother. YouTube, Netflix, and other major streaming services have their own Cast buttons within the app itself—these are separate from the Chrome Cast button and often work more reliably. If you're using one of these services, look for a Cast icon (usually a rectangle with curved lines in the corner) within the app before using the Chrome menu.
For websites without built-in Cast support, the Chrome Cast feature will send the webpage as-is to your TV. This works well for news sites, photo galleries, and articles, but some interactive features may not work perfectly on the TV screen. If a website doesn't cast well, try opening it in a desktop browser on a computer connected to your TV instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special app to cast from Chrome on Android?
No. The Cast feature is built into Chrome itself. As long as you have Chrome installed from the Google Play Store and it's up to date, you have everything you need. Your Chromecast device must be set up and connected to your Wi-Fi network, but no additional apps are required on your phone.
Can I cast from Chrome if my phone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks?
No. Your Android device and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network to communicate. If your phone is on a guest network and your Chromecast is on your main network, they won't see each other. Connect your phone to the same network as your Chromecast and try again.
Will casting drain my phone's battery quickly?
Casting a tab uses relatively little battery because your phone is just sending the webpage to the TV, not displaying it itself. Screen mirroring uses more battery since your phone is rendering everything to both screens. For long viewing sessions, consider plugging your phone in or using tab casting instead of screen casting.
What should I do if the video keeps stopping or buffering while casting?
Check your Wi-Fi signal strength. Move your phone and Chromecast closer to your router, or reduce the number of devices using the network. If the webpage itself is slow, try refreshing it. If you're casting a video from a streaming service, try lowering the video quality in the service's settings to reduce bandwidth use.
Can I cast from Chrome while using other apps on my phone?
Yes, if you're casting a tab. The webpage will continue playing on your TV while you use other apps on your phone. If you're screen mirroring, everything on your phone's display will appear on the TV, so opening other apps will show them on the TV as well.