How to Cast Video and Photos from Your iPad to a Chromecast Device

Casting from iPad to Chromecast works through Google Home or the Google Home app, not through Apple's built-in AirPlay

Your iPad cannot cast directly to Chromecast using Apple's native casting tools. Instead, you use the Google Home app, which lets you send video, photos, and audio from compatible apps on your iPad to any Chromecast device on your home network. The process takes about 30 seconds once everything is set up, and the iPad stays connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast.

The key difference from AirPlay: you are not mirroring your entire screen. Instead, individual apps (like YouTube, Netflix, or Google Photos) send their content directly to the Chromecast. This means your iPad screen can turn off, you can use other apps, or you can leave the room—the video keeps playing on your TV.

Key Takeaways

read the Google Home app on your iPad from the App Store and sign in with your Google account.
Make sure your iPad and Chromecast are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you attempt to cast.
Open a compatible app like YouTube or Google Photos, tap the cast icon (a rectangle with curved lines), and select your Chromecast device from the list.
Your iPad does not need to stay on the screen—the content plays independently on your TV once casting starts.
If the cast icon does not appear in an app, that app does not support Chromecast casting.

Set up the Google Home app on your iPad

Open the App Store on your iPad and search for "Google Home." read the official app published by Google LLC. Once installed, open it and sign in with the Google account you use for your Chromecast device. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com.

After you sign in, the app will scan your home network and display any Chromecast devices it finds. You should see your device listed by name (for example, "Living Room" or "Bedroom"). If your Chromecast does not appear, check that it is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPad. Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in.

Connect your iPad and Chromecast to the same Wi-Fi network

Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network to communicate. On your iPad, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and select your home network. On your Chromecast, during initial setup you chose a network; if you need to change it, use the Google Home app: tap the device, select Settings (gear icon), then Wi-Fi, and follow the prompts to reconnect.

If your home has a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, your iPad and Chromecast may connect to different bands. This breaks casting. Rename one band in your router settings to something distinct (like "Network-5G" and "Network-2.4G"), then reconnect both devices to the same one. Most Chromecast devices work better on 2.4 GHz, so start there.

Open a compatible app and find the cast icon

Not every app supports Chromecast. The most common ones that do include YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, Google Photos, Google Play Music, and Plex. Open one of these apps on your iPad and look for the cast icon—it looks like a small rectangle with curved lines in the top-right or bottom-right corner of the screen. The icon is usually white or gray.

If you do not see the cast icon, the app either does not support Chromecast or you are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Try opening a different app to confirm your setup is working. YouTube is the most reliable test because the cast icon always appears in the top-right corner, even before you play a video.

Tap the cast icon and select your Chromecast device

When you tap the cast icon, a small menu appears showing all available Chromecast devices on your network. Select the one you want to cast to by tapping its name. The app will connect to the device—this usually takes 2 to 5 seconds. Once connected, the cast icon changes color (often to blue) to show that casting is active.

Now play your video, song, or slideshow. The content will appear on your TV through the Chromecast, not on your iPad screen. You can now lock your iPad, switch to another app, or set it down. The content continues playing on your TV independently. To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop Casting," or straightforward turn off the Chromecast device.

Troubleshoot if the cast icon does not appear

If you tap an app and see no cast icon, first confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open the Google Home app and check that your Chromecast is listed and shows a green dot (meaning it is online). If it shows a gray dot or does not appear at all, restart your Chromecast and your iPad's Wi-Fi connection.

Some apps require you to be signed in before the cast icon shows up. For example, Netflix will not display the cast icon until you log into your account. Check the app's settings or help section to confirm it supports Chromecast. If an app genuinely does not support casting, you can use screen mirroring instead through AirPlay to an Apple TV, but that is a different process and requires an Apple TV device, not a Chromecast.

Control playback from your iPad while casting

Once casting is active, your iPad becomes a remote control. You can pause, play, skip forward or backward, and adjust volume—all from the app on your iPad. The controls appear on the same screen where you tapped the cast icon. This is useful if you want to adjust the video without walking to your TV or finding a physical remote.

If you close the app or lock your iPad, you lose remote control, but the video keeps playing on your TV. To regain control, open the app again and tap the cast icon. The connection resumes when ready, and you can control playback again. This is one advantage of Chromecast over screen mirroring: the content is independent of your iPad's state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from any app on my iPad?

No. Only apps that have built-in Chromecast support show the cast icon. YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Google Photos support it. Many other apps do not. If an app does not show the cast icon, it does not support Chromecast casting through that method.

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

They will not see each other. Both must be on the same network. Check your iPad's Wi-Fi settings and your Chromecast's network in the Google Home app. If they differ, reconnect one device to match the other. If your router broadcasts separate 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz networks, connect both devices to the same band.

Can I use my iPad for something else while casting?

Yes. Once casting starts, your iPad is free to do other things. You can lock the screen, switch apps, or put it in another room. The video continues playing on your TV. To control playback, open the casting app again and tap the cast icon to bring up the remote controls.

Why does the cast icon appear sometimes but not always?

The cast icon only appears when your iPad is on the same Wi-Fi network as a Chromecast device. If you switched networks, moved out of range, or your Chromecast lost power, the icon disappears. Reconnect to the correct network or restart your Chromecast to make it reappear.

Is casting the same as screen mirroring?

No. Casting sends app content directly to your TV; your iPad screen can turn off. Screen mirroring (AirPlay) copies your entire iPad display to an Apple TV. Chromecast does not support full screen mirroring from iPad, only app-level casting through the cast icon.

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.