The basic steps to cast from your phone

To cast from your phone to a Chromecast device, open the app you want to cast from, tap the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), select your Chromecast from the list, and the content will appear on your TV. The cast icon location varies by app — in YouTube it's in the top right, in Google Photos it's in the top left, and in Chrome it's in the three-dot menu.

Your phone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work. If you don't see your Chromecast in the list, check that both devices are connected to the same network and that your Chromecast is powered on. The device will appear by its name — usually something like "Living Room" or "Bedroom" depending on what you named it during setup.

Once you tap cast and select your device, the app will send the content to your TV through your Wi-Fi network. Your phone acts as a remote control — you can pause, rewind, adjust volume, and skip through content using your phone while the video or audio plays on the TV.

Key Takeaways

  • The cast icon appears in most Google apps and many third-party apps, but its location changes depending on which app you're using.
  • Your phone and Chromecast must connect to the same Wi-Fi network before casting will work.
  • After you tap cast and select your device, your phone becomes a remote — you can control playback without touching the TV.
  • If your Chromecast doesn't appear in the device list, restart both your phone and Chromecast, then check that they're on the same network.

Which apps let you cast from your phone

Google's own apps have built-in cast support: YouTube, Google Photos, Google Play Music, Google Podcasts, and Chrome all include the cast button. Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Spotify also support casting on both Android and iPhone. Amazon Prime Video works on Android phones but not on iPhones — iPhone users need to use AirPlay to Apple TV instead.

Many smaller streaming services support casting too, including Plex, Tubi, Pluto TV, and Peacock. The easiest way to check is to open the app and look for the cast icon. If you don't see it, the app either doesn't support casting or requires a paid subscription to use that feature.

If an app doesn't have a cast button, you can still cast your entire phone screen to your Chromecast. On Android, go to Settings, select Display, tap Cast, and choose your device. On iPhone, you cannot cast your screen to Chromecast — you would need an Apple TV instead.

Casting your entire phone screen

Screen casting sends everything on your phone's display to your TV, not just one app. This is useful for presentations, showing photos stored on your phone, or using an app that doesn't have its own cast button. To cast your screen on Android, open Settings, go to Display, select Cast, and tap your Chromecast device.

Screen casting drains your phone's battery faster than regular casting because it's constantly sending video data over Wi-Fi. It also uses more bandwidth, so your connection may slow down if other devices are streaming at the same time. For long sessions, plug your phone into power.

Once you start screen casting, your phone's screen will mirror on the TV with a slight delay — usually less than a second. You can still use your phone normally while casting. To stop, go back to Settings > Display > Cast and select Disconnect.

Troubleshooting when your Chromecast doesn't appear

If you open an app and don't see your Chromecast in the device list, first check that both your phone and Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Your Chromecast connects to Wi-Fi during setup — if you changed your network password or added a new router, your Chromecast may have lost its connection. Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in.

Restart your phone as well. Many casting problems clear up after a restart because the Wi-Fi connection between your phone and Chromecast gets refreshed. If you still don't see your device, open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm you're on the same network as your Chromecast — the network name appears on your Chromecast's setup screen or in the Google Home app.

If your Chromecast is on a different network than your phone, you'll need to reconnect it. Open the Google Home app, select your Chromecast, tap Settings, go to Wi-Fi, and follow the steps to connect it to your current network. This requires entering your Wi-Fi password.

Controlling playback and volume while casting

Once casting starts, your phone becomes the control panel. You can pause and play by tapping the pause button on your phone's lock screen or in the app itself. Volume buttons on your phone will adjust the TV's volume, not your phone's speaker volume. You can also swipe through a video to jump to a different part, and most apps let you adjust playback speed or change subtitles from your phone.

If you want to stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select Disconnect. The content will stop playing on your TV, but it will keep playing on your phone if you were watching something. You can also just close the app — casting will stop automatically.

Some apps let multiple people cast to the same Chromecast, but only one video or song will play at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you're already casting, they'll see a prompt asking if they want to take over. You can choose to let them or keep your content playing.

Casting from Chrome browser on your phone

Google Chrome on your phone has a built-in cast button in the three-dot menu at the top right. Tap the three dots, select Cast, and choose your Chromecast. This sends the webpage you're viewing to your TV. Unlike screen casting, only the browser tab you're on will appear — your phone's home screen and other apps won't show.

Casting from Chrome is useful for showing websites, online videos, or presentations to a group. Your phone stays responsive while casting, so you can scroll, click links, and navigate normally. The TV will show whatever your phone's browser is displaying with a slight delay.

To stop casting from Chrome, tap the three-dot menu again, select Cast, and tap Disconnect. Your phone will stop sending the webpage to your TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from my iPhone to a Chromecast?

Most Google apps and many streaming services like Netflix and Spotify support casting from iPhone to Chromecast. However, you cannot cast your iPhone's screen to Chromecast — that feature only works on Android. If you need to mirror your iPhone screen to a TV, you'll need an Apple TV instead.

Does casting use a lot of data?

Casting uses Wi-Fi data, not your phone's cellular data plan. The amount depends on the video quality — higher resolution uses more bandwidth. If you're on a slow Wi-Fi network, casting may buffer or drop. Screen casting uses more data than casting a single app because it's constantly sending your entire phone's display.

Can I use my phone for something else while casting?

Yes. Once you start casting, your phone acts as a remote. You can check email, browse the web, or use other apps while your content plays on the TV. Your phone doesn't need to stay on the same app you're casting from.

Why does my Chromecast keep disconnecting?

Disconnections usually happen because your phone and Chromecast lost their Wi-Fi connection. Move your Chromecast closer to your router, or move your router closer to your Chromecast. If you have a dual-band router, make sure both devices are on the same band (usually 2.4 GHz works better for Chromecast than 5 GHz).

Can I cast audio only to my Chromecast?

Yes. Apps like Spotify, Google Play Music, and Podcasts let you cast audio to a Chromecast. The TV will show a static image or album art while the audio plays. This is useful if you want to play music through your TV's speakers without displaying video.