The basic steps to cast Hulu from iPhone to Chromecast

To cast Hulu from your iPhone to a Chromecast device, open the Hulu app, start playing the show or movie you want to watch, tap the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), select your Chromecast device from the list, and the video will begin playing on your TV. The cast icon appears in the top right corner of the player screen once a video is playing.

Your iPhone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work. If you do not see your device listed, check that both are connected to the same network and that your Chromecast is powered on and set up.

Once casting starts, you can control playback from your iPhone — pause, rewind, fast-forward, and adjust volume all work from the phone. You can also lock your iPhone screen and the video will keep playing on your TV.

Key Takeaways

  • The Hulu app on iPhone has a built-in cast button that appears during playback and connects directly to Chromecast devices on your Wi-Fi network.
  • Your iPhone and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can cast.
  • You control playback from your iPhone even after casting begins, and the video continues on your TV if you lock the phone.
  • If the cast icon does not appear, restart the Hulu app, check your Wi-Fi connection, and make sure your Chromecast is powered on.

Make sure your devices are on the same Wi-Fi network

Casting only works when your iPhone and Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings by opening Settings, tapping Wi-Fi, and confirming which network you are on. Then check your Chromecast by opening the Google Home app, selecting your device, tapping the settings icon (gear), and looking at the Wi-Fi network listed under "Wi-Fi".

If they are on different networks, connect your iPhone to the same network as your Chromecast. Some households have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band — Chromecast devices typically work better on 2.4 GHz, so if you are on 5 GHz, try switching to the 2.4 GHz band.

Update the Hulu app and check your subscription

Casting may not work if your Hulu app is outdated. Open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, scroll to "Available Updates," and update Hulu if it appears in the list.

Some Hulu subscription tiers do not support casting. Hulu with ads and Hulu (No Ads) both allow casting, but if you have a very old account or a special promotional plan, casting might be restricted. Check your account settings in the Hulu app by tapping the profile icon and selecting "Account" to see your plan details.

Restart the Hulu app and your Chromecast if casting does not work

If the cast icon does not appear or casting fails to start, close the Hulu app completely and reopen it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find Hulu, swipe up on it to close it, then tap the Hulu icon to reopen it.

If that does not work, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it from power for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for it to fully boot up (the light will stop blinking), then try casting again. You can also restart your iPhone by holding the power button and volume button together, swiping to power off, waiting a few seconds, and turning it back on.

Use the Google Home app to manage your Chromecast

The Google Home app lets you see which devices are available to cast to and troubleshoot connection problems. Open the app, look for your Chromecast device, and tap it to see its status. If it shows as offline or disconnected, the device may have lost its Wi-Fi connection.

To reconnect your Chromecast, open Google Home, tap the device, tap the settings icon, and select "Wi-Fi." Follow the prompts to reconnect it to your network. Once it reconnects, return to the Hulu app and try casting again.

Cast from the Hulu website if the app does not work

If you cannot cast from the Hulu app, you can cast from the Hulu website using Safari on your iPhone. Open Safari, go to hulu.com, sign in, start playing a video, and look for the cast icon in the video player. The process is the same as casting from the app.

Casting from the website sometimes works when the app does not, especially if the app has a temporary glitch. If website casting works but app casting does not, delete the Hulu app, restart your iPhone, and reinstall it from the App Store.

What to do if your Chromecast is not showing up in the cast list

If your Chromecast does not appear in the cast menu, the most common cause is that it is on a different Wi-Fi network than your iPhone. Double-check both devices are on the same network using the steps above.

If they are on the same network, restart both devices: unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds, then restart your iPhone. Open the Hulu app again and check if the device now appears. If it still does not show up, open the Google Home app and confirm the Chromecast is listed there and shows as connected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast Hulu from my iPhone to a Chromecast if I am on a guest Wi-Fi network?

No. Your iPhone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and guest networks are usually isolated from other devices on the main network. Connect your Chromecast to the same guest network as your iPhone, or connect both to the main network if possible.

Does casting Hulu use a lot of data from my phone plan?

No. Once casting starts, your Chromecast streams directly from Hulu over your Wi-Fi network. Your iPhone is only sending a signal to start playback and control it — the video data does not go through your phone, so it does not use your cellular data.

Why does the cast icon not appear in the Hulu app?

The cast icon only appears when a video is actually playing. Start a show or movie first, then look for the icon in the top right corner of the player. If it still does not appear, your Chromecast may not be on the same Wi-Fi network, or the Hulu app may need to be updated or restarted.

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

No. You can only cast to one Chromecast device at a time from a single iPhone. If you want to watch on a different TV, stop casting on the first device, then select a different Chromecast from the cast menu.

What happens if I close the Hulu app while casting?

The video will stop playing on your TV. Casting requires the Hulu app to stay open on your iPhone. You can lock your phone screen, but do not close the app or switch to a different app, or the cast will end.