Casting from iPad to Chromecast in Four Steps

To cast from an iPad to a TV with Chromecast, you need the Google Home app, a Chromecast device plugged into your TV, and both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. Open the app you want to cast from, tap the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), select your Chromecast device, and the content appears on your TV. The process takes about 30 seconds once everything is set up.

Not every app supports casting — YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and most Google apps do, but some apps like Apple TV+ do not. If you do not see a cast icon in an app, that app cannot send video to Chromecast directly. You can still mirror your entire iPad screen instead, which works with any app but uses more battery and can be slower.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPad and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and the Chromecast must be plugged into your TV and powered on.
  • The Google Home app is required to set up your Chromecast device the first time; after that, you cast from individual apps like YouTube or Netflix.
  • Apps with a cast icon in the player controls send video directly to your TV; apps without one cannot cast, but you can mirror your entire screen instead.
  • Screen mirroring drains your iPad battery faster than casting and may have a slight delay, but it works with any app including Apple TV+ and games.
  • If casting fails, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Setting Up Your Chromecast Device

Before you can cast, your Chromecast must be set up and connected to Wi-Fi. Plug the Chromecast into an HDMI port on your TV, then plug the power cable into a wall outlet or USB port. The Chromecast light will blink while it starts up — this takes about one minute.

On your iPad, read the Google Home app from the App Store if you do not have it. Open the app and tap the plus icon in the top left corner, then select "Set up device." Choose "Set up a new device" and follow the on-screen steps to connect your Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network. The app will ask you to select your home Wi-Fi, enter the password, and give the Chromecast a name (like "Living Room TV"). Once setup is complete, your Chromecast is ready to receive casts from any app on your iPad.

Casting Video from Apps That Support It

Open any app that supports casting — YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, and most Google apps all work. Start playing the video or audio you want to watch. Look for the cast icon in the player controls; it is a small rectangle with curved lines in the corner, usually in the top right or bottom right of the video player.

Tap the cast icon and a list of available devices appears. Select your Chromecast by name. The video will start playing on your TV within a few seconds, and you can use your iPad as a remote — pause, rewind, adjust volume, or change videos without interrupting playback. Your iPad screen can go dark or you can use other apps while the video plays on the TV.

Mirroring Your Entire iPad Screen

If an app does not have a cast icon, you can mirror your whole iPad screen to the TV instead. This works with any app, including Apple TV+, games, and web browsers. Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPad to open Control Center, then tap "Screen Mirroring."

A list of available devices appears. Select your Chromecast by name. Your iPad screen will appear on the TV after a moment — everything you do on your iPad shows on the TV in real time. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select "Stop Mirroring." Screen mirroring uses more battery than casting and may have a slight one- to two-second delay, but it is the only way to send content from apps that do not support casting.

Troubleshooting When Casting Does Not Work

If you tap the cast icon and your Chromecast does not appear in the list, the most common cause is that your iPad and Chromecast are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check that both devices are connected to the same network — open Settings on your iPad, go to Wi-Fi, and confirm the network name. Then open the Google Home app and check which network your Chromecast is using under the device settings.

If they are on the same network but casting still fails, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it from power for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for the light to stop blinking. If the app still does not show a cast icon after restarting, that app may not support casting — try screen mirroring instead. If screen mirroring also fails, restart your iPad by turning it off and back on, then try again.

What to Do When an App Does Not Support Casting

Some apps, including Apple TV+, HBO Max on older iPad models, and many smaller streaming services, do not have a cast button. You have two options: use screen mirroring to send your entire iPad screen to the TV, or open the app on a device that does support casting, like an Android phone or a computer with a Chromecast extension.

Screen mirroring is usually the simpler choice. The trade-off is that your iPad battery drains faster — expect to lose about 10 to 15 percent of battery per hour while mirroring, compared to 5 to 8 percent while casting. If you plan to watch for more than an hour, plug your iPad into power while mirroring.

Controlling Playback and Adjusting Volume

Once video is casting to your TV, your iPad becomes a remote. In the app you are casting from, you can pause, play, rewind, fast-forward, and skip to the next episode without touching the TV remote. Volume can be controlled from your iPad's volume buttons or from the volume slider in the app itself.

If you are screen mirroring instead of casting, the TV remote controls everything — your iPad is just displaying what is on the TV. You can lock your iPad screen or switch to another app while casting continues, but screen mirroring stops if you lock the screen. To keep screen mirroring active while your iPad is locked, go to Settings, tap Display & Brightness, and turn off Auto-Lock before you start mirroring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from multiple iPads to the same Chromecast?

Yes. Each iPad must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast, and each can cast independently. Only one iPad can cast video at a time — if a second iPad tries to cast while another is already casting, it will take over and stop the first cast. For audio from apps like Spotify, multiple devices can cast to the same Chromecast if the app supports it, but video casting is one device at a time.

Does casting use a lot of data?

Casting streams video from the internet directly to your Chromecast, so it uses data the same way it would if you watched on your iPad. Screen mirroring also uses data because the app is still streaming — mirroring just sends the picture to your TV instead of your iPad screen. If you are on a limited data plan, casting and mirroring use roughly the same amount.

Why does my Chromecast keep disconnecting?

Chromecast disconnects most often because the Wi-Fi signal is weak or the iPad and Chromecast lost connection to the same network. Move your Chromecast closer to your router or move your router closer to your TV. If disconnections keep happening, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully restart before casting again.

Can I cast audio only without the video showing on my TV?

Yes, with apps that support audio casting like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Google Podcasts. Start playing audio, tap the cast icon, select your Chromecast, and the audio plays on your TV speakers while your iPad screen stays dark or you use other apps. This is useful for playing music or podcasts through your TV speakers without displaying anything on the screen.

What if my iPad is older and does not have Control Center?

Older iPad models use a different method to access screen mirroring. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen instead of down from the top right. If that does not work, your iPad may be too old to support Chromecast mirroring — iPad 2 and earlier models do not support it. Casting from individual apps still works on older iPads as long as the app supports it.