How to send content from your phone to Chromecast
To cast from your phone to a Chromecast device, open an app that supports casting (like YouTube, Netflix, or Google Photos), tap the cast icon, select your Chromecast from the list, and the content plays on your TV instead of your phone screen. The cast icon looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner. Your phone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for this to work.
The process takes seconds once everything is set up. You keep control of playback on your phone — you can pause, rewind, or switch videos without touching the TV remote. Your phone acts as a remote control, not a cable.
Key Takeaways
- Your phone and Chromecast must connect to the same Wi-Fi network before you can cast anything.
- Not every app supports casting — YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and Google Photos do, but some apps do not.
- The cast icon appears inside the app you want to cast from, not in your phone's main settings.
- Casting does not drain your phone battery the way screen mirroring does, because only the video stream goes to the TV.
Check that your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi
Before you can cast, both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and note 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 "Device information" or "Wi-Fi".
If they are on different networks, reconnect your Chromecast to the correct network using the Google Home app. Tap the device, select the gear icon, go to "Wi-Fi", and follow the prompts to choose your network and enter the password.
Open an app that supports casting and find the cast icon
Open any app that works with Chromecast — YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, Google Photos, and many others all support it. Look for the cast icon, which appears as a small rectangle with curved lines in the corner (it looks like a Wi-Fi symbol rotated). On most apps, this icon sits in the top right corner of the screen.
If you do not see the cast icon, the app either does not support casting or you are not signed in. Check the app's help section or try signing out and back in. Some apps hide the cast icon until you start playing something — for example, in YouTube you may need to start a video first.
Tap the cast icon and select your Chromecast device
Tap the cast icon. A menu appears showing all Chromecast devices on your Wi-Fi network. Select the one you want to cast to — it will be listed by the name you gave it (like "Living Room" or "Bedroom TV"). If you only have one Chromecast, it may connect when ready without showing a menu.
Once you select the device, the app connects to it. You will see a confirmation on your TV — the content appears there, and your phone screen shows a smaller version with playback controls. The cast icon now appears highlighted or filled in, showing that casting is active.
Control playback from your phone
Your phone becomes the remote. Use the playback controls on your phone screen to pause, play, skip forward or backward, adjust volume, and switch videos. You can also lock your phone or use other apps while casting continues — the video keeps playing on your TV even if your phone screen goes dark.
To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting" or just open a different app. The video stops on your TV, and your phone returns to normal. You do not need to do anything on the TV itself.
Casting does not work the same as screen mirroring
Casting sends only the video or audio stream to your TV, not your entire phone screen. This means you can use your phone for other things while the video plays — check email, text, or browse the web without interrupting what is on your TV. Casting also uses much less battery than screen mirroring.
Screen mirroring, by contrast, copies everything on your phone screen to the TV. If you want to mirror your entire screen instead of just an app, use the "Cast screen" or "Mirror screen" option in your phone's quick settings menu (swipe down twice from the top). This drains battery faster and slows down your phone, so use it only when you need to show your whole screen.
Troubleshooting when casting does not work
If the cast icon does not appear, restart both your phone and Chromecast. Unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart (the light on the device will stop blinking). Then open the app again and look for the cast icon.
If your Chromecast does not show up in the cast menu, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are and it still does not appear, forget the network on your phone and reconnect to it. Go to Wi-Fi settings, tap the network name, select "Forget", then reconnect and enter the password again.
If the video starts but keeps buffering or stopping, move your phone closer to the Wi-Fi router or move the Chromecast closer to the router. Weak Wi-Fi signal causes casting to stall. You can also try restarting your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for casting?
No. Casting itself is free — it is a feature built into Chromecast and most streaming apps. You may need to pay for the streaming service itself (like Netflix or Disney+), but the casting feature costs nothing.
Can I cast from an iPhone to Chromecast?
Yes. iPhones can cast to Chromecast through apps that support it, like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify. The process is the same — tap the cast icon and select your device. Not all iPhone apps support casting, so check the app first.
What happens if I unplug my phone while casting?
The video stops when ready. Casting requires your phone to stay connected to Wi-Fi and actively send the stream to the TV. If your phone loses connection or you close the app, casting stops.
Can multiple people cast to the same Chromecast at the same time?
No. Only one device can cast to a Chromecast at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you are already casting, their content will not appear until you stop. Some Chromecast devices have a "guest mode" that lets visitors cast without knowing your Wi-Fi password.
Does casting work on older Chromecast devices?
Yes. Casting works on all Chromecast models, including older ones, as long as they are connected to Wi-Fi and running the latest software. Check the Google Home app to see if your device needs a software update.