Samsung TVs work with Chromecast if you have a Chromecast device plugged into an HDMI port

Your Samsung TV itself does not have Chromecast built in — you need a separate Chromecast device (the small dongle Google makes) or a device that has Chromecast built into it, like a Google TV box. Once that device is plugged into an HDMI port on your Samsung TV and powered on, you can cast from your phone, tablet, or computer to the TV using the Chromecast button in compatible apps.

The process is the same whether your Samsung TV is a 2024 model or ten years old. The TV itself is just a display — the Chromecast device does the work of receiving the cast signal from your phone and showing it on screen.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a Chromecast device (a small HDMI dongle) or a device with built-in Chromecast, plugged into your Samsung TV's HDMI port and connected to power.
  • Your phone, tablet, or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast device to cast to it.
  • Most streaming apps (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos) have a Chromecast button you tap to send video or audio to your TV.
  • If the Chromecast button does not appear in an app, that app does not support casting — you may need to use a different method to get content on your TV.

What hardware you need to cast to a Samsung TV

You have two main options. The first is a Google Chromecast device — a small dongle about the size of a thumb drive that plugs directly into an HDMI port. Google makes a standard Chromecast (which casts video and audio) and a Chromecast with Google TV (which also lets you browse apps directly on the TV). Both work with Samsung TVs.

The second option is any device with Chromecast built in: a Google Nest Hub, a Google TV box, or certain soundbars and streaming devices. If you already own one of these, you do not need to buy a separate Chromecast.

Whichever device you choose, it needs to be plugged into an available HDMI port on your Samsung TV and connected to a power outlet or USB power source. Most Chromecast devices come with a USB cable and power adapter in the box.

Setting up Chromecast on your Samsung TV

Plug the Chromecast device into an HDMI port on the back or side of your Samsung TV. Use the TV remote to switch to that HDMI input — you will see the Chromecast setup screen appear on your TV.

Connect the Chromecast device to power using the cable and adapter that came with it. The setup screen will guide you through connecting it to your Wi-Fi network. You will need your Wi-Fi password. Once the Chromecast is connected to Wi-Fi, it is ready to receive casts from your phone or computer.

You do not need to install anything on your Samsung TV itself. The TV is just displaying what the Chromecast device sends to it.

How to cast from your phone or tablet to the TV

Open any app that supports Chromecast — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos, and many others have the feature. Look for the Chromecast icon, which looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner (like a TV with a signal). It is usually in the top right or bottom right of the app.

Make sure your phone or tablet is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device. Tap the Chromecast icon and a list of available devices will appear. Select your Chromecast (it will have a name like "Living Room" or "Bedroom" — you can rename it during setup). The content will start playing on your TV within a few seconds.

While casting, you can control playback from your phone — pause, rewind, adjust volume — and the TV will respond. You can also lock your phone or switch to another app; the cast will keep playing.

Casting from a computer or laptop

If you are using Google Chrome on a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer, you can cast a tab or your entire screen to the Chromecast device. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, and select "Cast". A window will open showing available Chromecast devices. Select the one connected to your Samsung TV.

You can cast a single tab (so other tabs stay private on your computer) or cast your entire screen. The Chromecast icon will appear in your Chrome toolbar once you have cast, so you can disconnect quickly when you are done.

If you are using Safari on a Mac, you cannot cast directly through the browser, but you can use AirPlay to send content to an Apple TV or compatible device instead. Some websites and apps have their own cast buttons that work with Chromecast on any browser.

Troubleshooting when the Chromecast button does not appear

If you do not see the Chromecast icon in an app, that app does not support casting. YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos, and most major streaming services do support it, but not every app does. Check the app's help section or settings to confirm.

If the icon is there but your Chromecast device does not appear in the list, make sure your phone and the Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart the app, restart your phone, or restart the Chromecast device (unplug it for 10 seconds and plug it back in). Sometimes the device takes a minute to show up on the network after you turn it on.

If your Chromecast device is not showing up at all, check that it is plugged into power and that the HDMI cable is fully inserted into the TV port. The setup screen should appear on your TV when power is connected. If it does not, try a different HDMI port on your TV.

What to do if an app does not support Chromecast

Not every streaming service or app has built-in Chromecast support. If you want to watch something from an unsupported app on your TV, you have two options: cast your entire phone or computer screen to the Chromecast, or use a different app or service that does support casting.

Screen casting sends everything on your device to the TV — your notifications, other apps, and anything else that appears. It works, but it drains your phone battery faster and ties up your device while you are watching. For apps you use often, it is worth checking whether a competitor offers the same content with Chromecast support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for Chromecast?

You need to buy a Chromecast device (usually $30 to $70 depending on the model), but casting itself is free once you own the device. There are no monthly fees or subscriptions required to use Chromecast.

Can I cast to multiple Samsung TVs at the same time?

If you have multiple Chromecast devices in your home, each on the same Wi-Fi network, you can cast to any of them. When you tap the Chromecast icon in an app, you will see a list of all available devices and can choose which one to send the content to. You cannot cast the same content to two TVs simultaneously from one app, but you can cast different content to different TVs.

What if my Samsung TV is very old — will Chromecast still work?

Yes. As long as your TV has an HDMI port and you can switch to that input using the remote, Chromecast will work. The TV does not need to be smart or connected to the internet — only the Chromecast device needs Wi-Fi.

Can I use Chromecast if my phone is not on Wi-Fi?

Your phone needs to be on the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast device to cast. If your phone is using mobile data instead, casting will not work. Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network your Chromecast is on.

Will casting work if my internet goes down?

If your Wi-Fi network is down, your phone and Chromecast cannot communicate, so casting will not work. However, if you are casting a local file (like a video saved on your phone) through an app that supports it, some apps may still work on a local network without internet. For streaming services like Netflix or YouTube, you need internet on both your phone and the Chromecast device.