The Basic Steps to Cast Your Phone

To cast your phone to your TV, you need three things: a phone on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device, the Chromecast plugged into your TV's HDMI port, and the Google Home app or the cast button built into your phone's apps. Open the app you want to cast from, tap the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner), select your Chromecast device from the list, and your screen appears on the TV within a few seconds.

The whole process takes less than a minute once everything is set up. Your phone stays in your hand — you control what plays, pause, skip, and adjust volume from the device itself. The TV just displays what you're sending to it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, or casting will not work.
  • The cast icon appears in most Google apps and many third-party apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify, but not all apps support casting.
  • If you do not see your Chromecast in the cast menu, restart both your phone and the Chromecast device, then try again.
  • Casting uses your Wi-Fi connection, not Bluetooth, so moving far from your router can cause the stream to drop.

Check Your Wi-Fi Connection First

Before you try to cast, make sure your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and note which network you are connected to. Then check your Chromecast: unplug it and plug it back in, wait for the light to stop blinking, and open the Google Home app on your phone. Tap the device icon in the top left, then select your Chromecast. If it shows "Connected" under the device name, you are on the same network.

If your Chromecast does not appear in the Google Home app, it is not on your network yet. Unplug the Chromecast, plug it back in, and wait 30 seconds. The light should blink white, which means it is ready to connect. Open Google Home again, tap the plus icon to add a device, select "Set up device," choose "Set up a new device," and follow the prompts to connect it to your Wi-Fi. This usually takes two to three minutes.

Find and Tap the Cast Icon in Your App

The cast icon is a small rectangle with a curved Wi-Fi symbol in one corner, usually in the top right or bottom right of the app screen. In YouTube, it is in the top right. In Netflix, swipe up from the bottom and look for it in the playback controls. In Spotify, tap the three dots, then "Connect to a device." In Google Photos, open a photo, tap the three dots, and select "Cast."

Not every app has a cast button. Messaging apps, email, and most social media apps do not support casting. If you do not see the cast icon, the app does not support it. For apps that do not have built-in casting, you can use screen mirroring instead, which sends your entire phone screen to the TV — this is slower and uses more battery, but it works with any app.

Select Your Chromecast Device from the List

When you tap the cast icon, a menu pops up showing all Chromecast devices on your network. Each one is labeled with a name — often something like "Living Room," "Bedroom," or "Kitchen," depending on what the person who set it up called it. Tap the device you want to cast to. Your phone will connect to it in a few seconds, and the app will show a blue cast icon to confirm the connection is active.

If your Chromecast does not appear in the list, it is not on the same Wi-Fi network. Go back and check your network connection using the Google Home app. If it still does not show up, restart your phone and unplug the Chromecast for 10 seconds, then plug it back in and try again. Wait at least 30 seconds before tapping the cast icon a second time.

Control Playback from Your Phone

Once you are casting, your phone becomes a remote control. Play, pause, skip forward or back, adjust volume, and switch videos or songs all from your phone screen. The TV shows what you are playing, but your phone is doing the work. You can even lock your phone or switch to another app — the cast continues in the background.

If you want to stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting." The video or music stops on the TV, and your phone disconnects from the Chromecast. You can also unplug the Chromecast itself, which stops the cast when ready.

Troubleshoot When Casting Does Not Work

If the cast icon does not appear, the app does not support casting. Try a different app like YouTube or Netflix to test whether your Chromecast is working. If those apps also do not show the cast icon, your phone and Chromecast are not on the same Wi-Fi network — go back to the Wi-Fi check step above.

If the cast icon appears but your Chromecast does not show up in the list, restart both devices. Unplug the Chromecast, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Restart your phone by turning it off and on. Then open the app again and tap the cast icon. If your Chromecast still does not appear after two minutes, forget the Wi-Fi network on your phone and reconnect to it: go to Wi-Fi settings, tap the network name, select "Forget," then reconnect by entering your password again.

If the cast starts but stops after a few seconds, your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move closer to your router, or restart your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. If the picture is choppy or keeps buffering, close other apps on your phone and other devices using your Wi-Fi, as they may be slowing down the connection.

Use Screen Mirroring for Apps Without Cast Support

If an app does not have a cast button, you can mirror your entire phone screen instead. On Android, swipe down from the top twice to open Quick Settings, tap "Cast" or "Screen cast," select your Chromecast, and your whole phone screen appears on the TV. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right to open Control Center, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select your Chromecast.

Screen mirroring works with any app, but it is slower than casting and drains your phone battery faster because your phone is doing all the work. Use it only when the app you want does not have a built-in cast button. Once you are done, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop mirroring" to disconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be on the same Wi-Fi network to cast?

Yes. Your phone and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If they are on different networks, the cast icon will not show your Chromecast in the list. Check both devices in your Wi-Fi settings to confirm they are on the same network name.

Can I cast if my phone is locked?

Yes. Once you start casting, you can lock your phone or switch to another app and the cast continues. Your phone is just sending the signal — the Chromecast handles the playback on the TV.

Why does my cast keep stopping?

Your Wi-Fi signal is probably weak or your router is overloaded. Move closer to your router, restart it by unplugging it for 10 seconds, or close other apps and devices using your Wi-Fi. If the problem continues, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.

What is the difference between casting and screen mirroring?

Casting sends just the video or music from an app to your TV, while screen mirroring sends your entire phone screen. Casting is faster and uses less battery. Screen mirroring works with any app but is slower and drains your phone faster.

Can multiple people cast to the same TV?

Only one person can cast at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you are already casting, their cast will take over and yours will stop. You have to stop casting before someone else can start.