The Basic Steps to Cast from Android

To cast from your Android phone to a Chromecast device, open the app you want to watch or listen to, tap the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), select your Chromecast from the list, and the content plays on your TV instead of your phone screen. The cast icon appears in most video and music apps — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos, and others — but not all apps support it.

Your phone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Once you cast, your phone becomes a remote control: you can pause, rewind, or adjust volume from your phone while the video plays on the TV. You can also lock your phone screen or use other apps while casting continues.

If you do not see the cast icon in an app, that app does not support Chromecast casting. Some apps require a paid subscription to cast, or they may only cast certain content (for example, free YouTube videos but not YouTube TV).

Key Takeaways

  • The cast icon appears in the top right or bottom right of most video and music apps — tap it, choose your Chromecast, and content moves to your TV.
  • Your phone and Chromecast must connect to the same Wi-Fi network before casting will work.
  • Once you cast, your phone acts as a remote; you can lock the screen or switch apps while video continues playing on the TV.
  • Not every app supports casting — if you do not see a cast icon, that app cannot send video or audio to Chromecast.
  • Some apps require a paid account or subscription to cast their content to a TV.

Finding and Tapping the Cast Icon

The cast icon is a small rectangle with three curved lines in one corner, and it usually sits in the top right or bottom right of the app screen. In YouTube, it is in the top right next to the search bar. In Netflix, it is in the top right corner. In Spotify, it is at the bottom right of the now-playing screen. In Google Photos, it is in the top right.

If you do not see the cast icon anywhere in the app, swipe down from the top of your phone to open the quick settings panel and look for a "Cast" or "Screen Cast" option there. Some phones (particularly Samsung devices) have a built-in cast feature in the quick settings that works with Chromecast.

Tap the cast icon once. A list of nearby Chromecast devices appears within a few seconds. If your Chromecast does not show up, check that both your phone and Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network — they must be on the same network to find each other.

Connecting to the Same Wi-Fi Network

Before you can cast, your Android phone and your Chromecast device must both be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings by opening Settings, tapping Wi-Fi or Network, and confirming which network you are connected to. Then check your Chromecast by opening the Google Home app on your phone, tapping the Chromecast device, and looking at the network name listed under "Wi-Fi".

If they are on different networks, connect your phone to the same network as your Chromecast. Some homes have multiple Wi-Fi networks (a main one and a guest network, for example). Chromecast devices often connect to the main network, so try connecting your phone there if casting is not working.

If you just set up your Chromecast and have not connected it to Wi-Fi yet, use the Google Home app to complete setup first. Open Google Home, tap the plus sign to add a device, select "Set up device", and follow the on-screen steps to connect your Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network.

What Happens After You Select Your Chromecast

Once you tap your Chromecast name from the list, the app sends the video or audio to your TV, and playback starts there within a few seconds. Your phone screen may show a smaller version of what is playing on the TV, or it may show playback controls (play, pause, rewind, forward, volume). The exact display depends on the app.

Your phone is now controlling the cast. You can pause the video, skip forward or backward, adjust volume, or stop casting — all from your phone. You can also lock your phone screen, open other apps, or even put your phone in your pocket, and the video continues playing on the TV uninterrupted.

To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop Casting" or "Disconnect". The video stops on the TV, and if you want to resume, you tap cast again and select the same Chromecast device.

Casting When the App Does Not Show a Cast Icon

If an app does not have a cast icon, you have two options: cast your entire phone screen, or check whether the app offers casting through a different method.

To cast your whole screen, open your phone's quick settings (swipe down from the top twice on most Android phones) and look for "Cast", "Screen Cast", or "Smart View". Tap it, select your Chromecast, and your entire phone screen appears on the TV. This works for any app, but it uses more battery and may have a slight delay compared to app-native casting. When you are done, tap the cast button again and select "Stop Casting".

Some apps (like Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video) may not show a cast icon in the app itself but do support casting through your phone's system-level cast feature. Try screen casting first. If that does not work, the app may not support Chromecast at all — check the app's help section or settings to confirm.

Troubleshooting When Casting Does Not Work

If the cast icon does not appear or your Chromecast does not show up in the list, start by checking that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open the Google Home app, tap your Chromecast device, and confirm the network name. Then check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure they match.

If the networks match but the Chromecast still does not appear, restart both devices. Unplug your Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot (the light on the device will stop blinking). Then restart your phone. Open the app again and look for the cast icon.

If casting starts but the video keeps stopping or buffering, move your phone closer to the Wi-Fi router or Chromecast device. Weak Wi-Fi signal is the most common cause of casting problems. You can also try restarting your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.

If the cast icon appears but tapping it shows "No devices found", your phone and Chromecast are not on the same network. Reconnect your phone to the correct Wi-Fi network and try again.

Apps That Support Casting and Those That Do Not

Most major video and music streaming apps support casting: YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Spotify, Google Play Music, and Pandora all have the cast icon. Google Photos, Google Drive, and Chrome browser also support casting. If you use any of these apps regularly, casting will work.

Some apps do not support Chromecast casting at all. Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and some live TV apps may not have a cast icon in the app itself, though you can still cast your entire phone screen to see them on the TV. Smaller or regional streaming services may also lack casting support.

If an app requires a paid subscription, you usually need to be logged in and have an active subscription to cast. For example, you can cast YouTube videos for free, but YouTube TV requires a paid account. Netflix requires a subscription, but you can cast with any subscription tier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time?

No, you can only cast to one Chromecast device at a time from a single app. If you want to cast to a different device, stop casting to the first one, then tap the cast icon again and select a different Chromecast. Some apps let you cast to multiple devices if you open the app on different phones, but one phone can only send to one device per app.

Does casting use a lot of data or battery?

Casting uses Wi-Fi data, not cellular data, so it does not count against your phone plan. Battery drain depends on the method: app-native casting (when the app has a cast icon) uses less battery than screen casting. During casting, your phone stays awake, so battery drains faster than normal, but you can lock the screen to reduce drain.

What if my Chromecast is on a different Wi-Fi band (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz)?

Most modern routers broadcast both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz on the same network name, so your phone and Chromecast automatically connect to whichever band works best. If your router has separate network names for each band, connect both your phone and Chromecast to the same one — usually the 2.4 GHz band is more reliable for Chromecast devices.

Can I cast if I am away from home?

No, casting requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network, so you cannot cast from outside your home to a Chromecast at home. You can only cast when you are on the same network. If you want to watch content on a TV away from home, use the TV's built-in apps or a different streaming device.

Why does the video keep stopping when I cast?

Buffering during casting usually means weak Wi-Fi signal. Move your phone or Chromecast closer to the router, or restart your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds. If the problem continues, try casting at a lower video quality if the app offers that option, or restart both your phone and Chromecast.