Cast Spotify to Chromecast in Three Steps

You can send Spotify music to a Chromecast device directly from the Spotify app on your phone or tablet. Open Spotify, start playing a song, tap the "Now Playing" bar at the bottom of the screen, then tap the speaker icon in the lower right corner. Select your Chromecast device from the list, and the music will begin playing through that device instead of your phone's speaker.

The process works the same way on both Android and iOS. Your phone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Once you cast, you can control playback from your phone, lock your screen, or even close the Spotify app—the music will keep playing on your Chromecast device.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap the speaker icon on the "Now Playing" bar in Spotify to see all available Chromecast devices on your network.
  • Your phone and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • After you cast, your phone becomes a remote control—you can lock the screen or switch apps without stopping playback.
  • If you do not see your Chromecast in the list, restart both your phone and the Chromecast device, then try again.

Finding the Cast Button in Spotify

The speaker icon appears in the lower right corner of the "Now Playing" screen. To reach it, tap the bar that shows the song title and artist name at the bottom of the Spotify home screen while music is playing. This opens the full player view.

On the full player screen, look for a small speaker icon with curved lines in the bottom right corner. This is the cast button. Tap it to see a list of all Chromecast devices, speakers, and other compatible devices on your network. Your Chromecast will appear by the name you gave it when you set it up—for example, "Living Room" or "Kitchen Speaker."

What to Do If Your Chromecast Does Not Appear

If you do not see your Chromecast device in the list, the most common reason is that your phone and Chromecast are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network as your Chromecast. Your Chromecast's network name appears on the screen when you first set it up, or you can find it in the Google Home app under device settings.

If both devices are on the same network and the Chromecast still does not appear, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. While it restarts, restart your phone as well. Open Spotify again and check the speaker list. If the device still does not show up, open the Google Home app and confirm that your Chromecast is online and working properly.

Controlling Playback After You Cast

Once music is playing on your Chromecast, your phone acts as a remote control. You can pause, skip forward or backward, adjust volume, and change songs from the Spotify app. The volume slider on your phone controls the Chromecast's volume, not your phone's speaker volume.

You can lock your phone's screen, switch to another app, or even close Spotify entirely—the music will continue playing on your Chromecast. To stop casting, open the "Now Playing" bar again, tap the speaker icon, and select your phone from the device list. The music will switch back to playing through your phone's speaker.

Casting from a Computer or Tablet

The Spotify app on tablets works the same way as on phones. Open Spotify, play a song, tap the "Now Playing" bar, then tap the speaker icon to choose your Chromecast. The process is identical on both iPad and Android tablets.

On a computer, you cannot cast directly from the Spotify desktop app. Instead, use your phone or tablet to cast, or use the web player at spotify.com. Open a song in the web player, look for the Chromecast icon (usually in the bottom left or right corner of the player), and select your device. The web player casting works the same way as the mobile app.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to check your Wi-Fi network: This is the number one reason casting fails. Your phone must be on the same network as your Chromecast. If you recently changed your Wi-Fi password or added a new network, reconnect your phone first.

Looking for the cast button before music is playing: The speaker icon only appears when a song is actively playing. Start a song first, then tap the "Now Playing" bar to find it.

Expecting the cast button to appear in the main Spotify menu: The speaker icon is only on the full player screen, not on the home page or in the search tab. You must tap the "Now Playing" bar at the bottom to access it.

Closing Spotify when ready after casting: While you can close the app without stopping playback, some older Spotify versions may pause the music if you force-close the app. Let it close normally instead of swiping it away from the app switcher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast Spotify with a free account?

Yes, both Spotify Free and Spotify Premium accounts can cast to Chromecast. The casting feature works the same way regardless of your account type. You will still see ads on a free account, and those ads will play through your Chromecast speaker.

What if my Chromecast keeps disconnecting from the music?

Move your phone closer to your Chromecast and router to rule out Wi-Fi signal problems. If the issue continues, restart your Chromecast and your phone. If disconnections happen regularly, your Wi-Fi network may be unstable—try moving your router or Chromecast to a different location, or contact your internet provider.

Can multiple people cast to the same Chromecast at the same time?

No, only one person can cast to a Chromecast at a time. If someone else tries to cast while music is already playing, their cast will take over and stop the current playback. You can prevent this by setting up a guest mode or by keeping your Chromecast on a separate network.

Does casting use a lot of data?

Casting uses very little data after the initial connection. Your phone sends control signals to the Chromecast, but the music streams directly from Spotify's servers to your Chromecast, not through your phone. This means you can cast over Wi-Fi without worrying about using your phone's data plan.

Why does the music sound different on my Chromecast than on my phone speaker?

Your Chromecast is likely connected to a larger or better speaker than your phone has built in. If the sound quality seems worse, check that your Chromecast is not muted and that the volume is set to a normal level. You can also adjust audio settings in the Google Home app under your Chromecast's device settings.