Casting from iPhone to Chromecast requires a workaround because Apple and Google don't directly connect
Your iPhone cannot cast directly to Chromecast the way an Android phone can. Apple and Google use different casting systems — iPhones use AirPlay, Chromecasts use Google Cast — so you need either a third-party app that bridges the two, or you mirror your entire screen instead of casting a single app. The most reliable method is using an app like Google Home or Streamer for Chromecast, which lets you send video and audio from specific apps to your TV.
Before you start, make sure your iPhone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. Your Chromecast should already be set up and connected to your TV. If you haven't done that yet, use the Google Home app to complete the initial setup first.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone does not have native Chromecast support, so you will need either a third-party casting app or screen mirroring to send content to your TV.
- The Google Home app can cast audio from music services and video from some apps, though not all apps support casting through it.
- Screen mirroring sends everything on your iPhone screen to your TV, which works for any app but uses more battery and bandwidth.
- Both your iPhone and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for either method to work.
Using the Google Home app to cast specific content
The Google Home app is the official way to control your Chromecast from an iPhone. Open the app and tap the device icon in the top right corner. Select your Chromecast device from the list. From there, you can cast music from services like YouTube Music, Spotify, or Google Play Music by opening the app, finding the song or playlist you want, and tapping the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner).
For video, the process is similar but depends on whether the app you're using has built-in Chromecast support. YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and many other streaming apps have a cast button inside them. Open the app, find the video you want to watch, tap the cast icon, and select your Chromecast. The video will play on your TV while your iPhone becomes a remote control.
Not every app supports casting this way. If you don't see a cast icon in the app you're using, that app doesn't have Chromecast built in. In that case, screen mirroring is your only option.
Screen mirroring your entire iPhone display
Screen mirroring sends everything on your iPhone screen to your Chromecast, which works for any app but is less efficient than casting a single app. Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center. Tap Screen Mirroring. A list of available devices will appear — select your Chromecast. Your iPhone screen will now appear on your TV.
While screen mirroring, your iPhone stays locked to the mirrored display. You can still use your phone normally — open other apps, adjust volume, or lock the screen — and the TV will follow along. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.
Screen mirroring drains your iPhone battery faster than casting a single app because it's constantly sending video data. If you're watching a long video or listening to music for hours, casting through the app itself (if available) will preserve more battery.
Casting music and podcasts from your iPhone
Music apps like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music all have cast buttons inside them. Open the app, start playing a song or podcast, and look for the cast icon — usually in the now-playing screen or the bottom of the player. Tap it and select your Chromecast. The audio will play through your TV speakers while your iPhone screen goes dark or shows the album art.
If you're using Apple Music or another app that doesn't have a built-in cast button, you can use screen mirroring instead. The downside is that your iPhone screen will mirror to the TV, so you'll see the app interface on your television rather than just the album art or a blank screen.
Troubleshooting when casting won't work
If the cast icon doesn't appear in an app, that app doesn't support Chromecast. Try screen mirroring instead. If screen mirroring doesn't work, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network — they must be connected to the exact same network, not just the same router. Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in.
If your iPhone doesn't show your Chromecast in the Screen Mirroring menu, forget the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone and reconnect to it. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name, select Forget, then reconnect and enter the password again. This often fixes connection issues between devices on the same network.
If you're trying to cast from a specific app and the cast button is grayed out or missing, the app may not support that Chromecast device, or the app may need an update. Check the App Store to see if an update is available.
Using third-party casting apps as an alternative
Apps like Streamer for Chromecast, Castify, and LocalCast let you cast video and audio from your iPhone to Chromecast when the native app doesn't have a cast button. These apps work by opening a web browser or accessing files on your phone, then sending them to your Chromecast. They're most useful for casting local video files, web videos, or content from apps that don't have built-in support.
read one of these apps from the App Store, open it, and follow the in-app instructions to select your Chromecast and the content you want to cast. The interface varies by app, but the basic steps are the same: pick your device, choose your content, and tap cast.
Third-party apps are less reliable than native casting because they depend on workarounds rather than direct integration with the app. If the app you want to use has a built-in cast button, use that instead.
What to expect when casting from iPhone
When you cast a video or song to Chromecast from your iPhone, the content streams directly from the internet to your TV — your phone is just sending the command. This means you can lock your iPhone, switch apps, or even turn the screen off, and the video or music will keep playing on your TV. Your phone uses very little data or battery once the cast starts.
Screen mirroring works differently. Your iPhone sends a live video feed of its screen to the TV, so if you lock your phone or switch apps, the TV display changes too. This uses more battery and more Wi-Fi bandwidth, but it's the only way to cast apps that don't have built-in Chromecast support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cast from iPhone to Chromecast without Wi-Fi?
No. Both your iPhone and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Chromecast does not work over Bluetooth or cellular data. If you don't have Wi-Fi, you can use screen mirroring to an Apple TV instead, which works over AirPlay.
Why doesn't the cast button show up in my app?
Not all apps support Chromecast. If the app doesn't have a cast button, it wasn't built with Chromecast integration. Try screen mirroring instead, or use a third-party casting app. You can also check the app's settings to see if casting is disabled.
Can I cast while using my iPhone for other things?
Yes, if you're casting a single app (like YouTube or Spotify). Once the cast starts, your phone just sends commands, so you can lock it, switch apps, or even turn the screen off. Screen mirroring is different — your entire screen mirrors to the TV, so switching apps on your phone changes what appears on your TV.
Does casting use a lot of data?
Casting a single app uses very little data because the content streams directly from the internet to your Chromecast. Screen mirroring uses more data because your iPhone is sending a live video feed to your TV, but it's still manageable on a normal home Wi-Fi network.
What if my Chromecast keeps disconnecting?
Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds. If the problem continues, move your Chromecast closer to your Wi-Fi router or check that your router isn't overloaded with too many devices. You can also restart your iPhone and your Wi-Fi router to reset the connection.