Cast Prime Video from your phone or computer to Chromecast in three steps
To cast Prime Video to a Chromecast device, open the Prime Video app or website, find the video you want to watch, tap or click 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 play on your TV. The cast icon appears in the player controls once you start playing something. Your phone or computer stays connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device — that's the only requirement.
The process works the same way whether you're casting from an Android phone, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows computer, or Chromebook. Prime Video's cast feature is built into the app and website, so you don't need to install anything extra.
Key Takeaways
- The cast icon appears in the video player controls once you start playing a video in Prime Video.
- Your phone, tablet, or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device to cast.
- After you tap the cast icon and select your device, the video plays on your TV and you can control it from your phone.
- Some Prime Video content has restrictions that prevent casting, though most titles cast without problems.
Where to find the cast icon in Prime Video
When you're playing a video in the Prime Video app, look at the bottom right corner of the player. You'll see several icons: a volume control, a settings gear, and the cast icon. The cast icon looks like a small rectangle with three curved lines coming from the bottom left corner — it's the same icon used across Google apps and services.
On a phone or tablet, tap the cast icon. On a computer, click it. A menu will pop up showing all the Chromecast devices on your network. If you don't see the cast icon, make sure your phone and Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If they're on different networks, the icon won't appear.
On the Prime Video website (watched on a computer), the cast icon appears in the same spot in the player controls. The process is identical — click it, select your device, and the video starts playing on your TV.
What happens after you select your Chromecast device
Once you tap or click the cast icon and select your Chromecast from the list, the video will start playing on your TV within a few seconds. Your phone or computer becomes a remote control — you can pause, rewind, fast-forward, adjust volume, and change subtitles from the device you're holding, and those changes happen when ready on the TV.
The video continues playing even if you lock your phone or close the browser tab on your computer. You can also open other apps on your phone while the video plays on your TV. To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting," or straightforward turn off your Chromecast device.
When Prime Video won't cast to Chromecast
Some Prime Video content has digital rights restrictions that prevent casting. If you try to cast a title and nothing happens, or you see an error message, the content is likely restricted. This happens with certain movies and shows, though most Prime Video titles cast without problems. You'll still be able to watch the video on your phone or computer — you just can't send it to your TV.
If casting worked before but suddenly stops, check that both devices are still on the same Wi-Fi network. If your phone switched to a different network or your Chromecast lost connection, casting will fail. Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to reconnect to Wi-Fi.
Troubleshooting when the cast icon doesn't appear
If you don't see the cast icon in Prime Video, the most common reason is that your phone or computer is not on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Check your Wi-Fi settings and make sure both devices are connected to the same network name. If they are, restart the Prime Video app or refresh the website in your browser.
If the cast icon still doesn't appear, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds. Also make sure your Chromecast is plugged in and powered on — the light on the device should be on. If you're using an older Chromecast model, update it by going to the Google Home app, selecting your device, tapping the settings gear, and checking for updates.
Casting from different devices
Prime Video casting works on Android phones and tablets, iPhones and iPads, Windows computers, Mac computers, and Chromebooks. The steps are identical across all of them: open Prime Video, start playing a video, tap or click the cast icon, and select your Chromecast device.
On iPhones and iPads, you may also see an AirPlay option in the player controls. AirPlay is Apple's casting system and works with Apple TV devices, not Chromecast. Make sure you're tapping the Chromecast icon (the rectangle with curved lines), not the AirPlay icon (which looks like a triangle with a circle below it).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cast Prime Video to Chromecast if I'm using a VPN?
Casting may not work if your phone and Chromecast are on different networks because of a VPN. If your phone is connected to a VPN, disconnect it temporarily and make sure your phone is on the same local Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Once casting starts, you can reconnect the VPN if needed.
Does casting Prime Video use a lot of data?
Casting uses Wi-Fi between your phone and Chromecast, not cellular data. The video streams directly from Amazon's servers to your Chromecast device, so your phone is just sending control commands. You won't see a spike in your phone's data usage when you cast.
What if my Chromecast isn't showing up in the device list?
Make sure your Chromecast is plugged in and turned on, and that it's connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone or computer. Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds. If it still doesn't appear, restart your phone or computer and try again. If the problem continues, restart your Wi-Fi router.
Can I cast to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time?
No, you can only cast to one Chromecast device at a time. If you have multiple Chromecast devices in your home, you'll see all of them in the device list when you tap the cast icon. Select the one you want to use, and the video will play only on that device.