Casting from Mac to Chromecast works through your web browser or specific apps, not through a Mac system setting

Your Mac does not have a built-in Cast button like some Android devices do. Instead, you cast from Chrome browser, or from apps that have their own Cast feature built in. The process is straightforward once you know where to look, and your Chromecast device must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac.

The most common route is casting through Google Chrome, which works for websites, videos, and tabs. Some apps like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and Plex also have their own Cast buttons inside the app itself. We'll walk through both methods so you can pick the one that fits what you're trying to watch or share.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Chrome on Mac has a built-in Cast feature under the three-dot menu that lets you send websites, videos, and entire browser tabs to your Chromecast.
  • Your Mac and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • Many streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify have their own Cast button inside the app rather than relying on Chrome's Cast feature.
  • Once you start casting, you can close Chrome or minimize it—the content keeps playing on your TV while you use your Mac for other things.
  • If your Chromecast does not appear in the Cast menu, restart both your Mac and the Chromecast device, then check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Casting through Google Chrome on your Mac

Open Google Chrome and navigate to the website or video you want to cast. In the top right corner, click the three horizontal lines (the menu button), then scroll down and click Cast. A small window will pop up showing available Chromecast devices on your network. Click the device you want to cast to, and the content will start playing on your TV.

You can cast an entire browser tab, just the Chrome window, or your entire Mac screen. When you click Cast, a dropdown menu appears with these three options. For most uses—watching a video or browsing a website—casting the tab is the right choice. It uses less bandwidth and lets you keep using your Mac for other things while the content plays on the TV.

Once casting starts, a blue Cast icon appears in the top right of Chrome. Click it anytime to stop casting or switch to a different Chromecast device. You can also close Chrome entirely and the content will keep playing—the cast connection stays active until you manually stop it.

Casting from apps that have built-in Cast support

Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Plex, Disney+, and many other streaming apps have their own Cast button. Open the app on your Mac, start playing the content you want, and look for a Cast icon—usually a rectangle with curved lines in the corner, or sometimes labeled "Cast" directly. Click it and select your Chromecast device from the list.

Using the app's Cast feature is often smoother than casting through Chrome because the app communicates directly with your Chromecast. You will not see a browser tab on your TV—just the video or music playing cleanly. The app's Cast button is usually found in the playback controls, the top corner of the window, or in a settings menu.

If you do not see a Cast option in an app you use regularly, the app may not support Chromecast. In that case, you can fall back to casting the entire Chrome tab instead.

Making sure your Mac and Chromecast are on the same network

Chromecast only appears in the Cast menu if your Mac and the device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check that your Mac is connected to your home or office Wi-Fi by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the top right of your screen. Your Chromecast should be connected to the same network—you set this up when you first plugged in the device.

If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network with the same name, your Mac might be on one and your Chromecast on the other. Some older Chromecast models only support 2.4 GHz. If casting is not working, try connecting your Mac to the 2.4 GHz network, or check your router settings to see which band your Chromecast is using.

Troubleshooting when your Chromecast does not appear

If you do not see your Chromecast in the Cast menu, start by restarting both devices. Unplug your Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the light to stop blinking. Restart your Mac as well. Then open Chrome again and check the Cast menu.

If the device still does not appear, double-check that both your Mac and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your router settings or check your phone to see which networks are available and which one your Chromecast is connected to. If you recently changed your Wi-Fi password, your Chromecast may still be trying to connect to the old one—you may need to reset it and set it up again through the Google Home app on your phone.

If casting works but the picture is choppy or keeps stopping, move your Mac closer to the router or Chromecast. Wi-Fi interference from walls, microwaves, or other devices can weaken the signal. Casting uses bandwidth, so if other devices are downloading large files on your network, pause those and try again.

Casting audio only from Spotify and other music apps

Spotify on Mac has a Cast button in the playback controls at the bottom of the window. Click it to send music to your Chromecast without needing to cast a video or browser tab. The same works for other music streaming apps that support Chromecast—look for the Cast icon in the player controls.

When you cast audio only, your Mac screen stays dark on the TV, or shows a straightforward album art display. This is useful if you want to play music through your TV speakers without displaying anything on screen. You can close Spotify or use your Mac for other tasks while the music plays.

Casting your entire Mac screen to the TV

If you want to show everything on your Mac screen—not just a browser tab—you can cast the entire display. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, select Cast, then in the popup window click the dropdown at the top that says "Cast tab" and change it to Cast entire screen. Select your Chromecast device and your whole Mac display will appear on the TV.

Screen mirroring uses more bandwidth and can sometimes feel slightly slower than casting a single tab. It is useful for presentations, showing photos, or playing games, but for everyday video watching, casting just the tab is usually the better choice. You can switch back to casting a tab anytime by clicking the blue Cast icon in Chrome and selecting a different cast mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to read anything to cast from my Mac?

No. If you use Google Chrome, the Cast feature is already built in. If you use an app like Netflix or Spotify, the Cast button is built into the app itself. You do not need to read a separate tool or extension.

Can I cast from Safari instead of Chrome?

Safari on Mac does not have a built-in Cast feature. You will need to use Google Chrome, or cast from an app that has its own Cast button. If you prefer Safari, you can open the same website in Chrome just to cast it.

What happens if I close Chrome while I am casting?

The content keeps playing on your TV. The cast connection stays active until you manually stop it by clicking the blue Cast icon and selecting "Stop casting." You can use your Mac for other things while casting is active.

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

No. You can only cast to one Chromecast device at a time from your Mac. If you want to switch to a different device, click the Cast icon and select a new one from the list.

Why is the video choppy or buffering while I cast?

This usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move your Mac closer to the router, or move the Chromecast closer to the router. If other devices are using a lot of bandwidth, pause those downloads and try again. Casting works best on a strong, uncongested Wi-Fi network.