Screen casting sends your computer or phone display to your TV through Chromecast

Screen casting means mirroring what you see on your computer, phone, or tablet onto a TV connected to a Chromecast device. Unlike casting a single app or video, screen casting shows everything on your device—your entire desktop, every notification, every open window. It's useful when you want to share a presentation, show photos from your phone, or control something on your TV from your device while others watch.

The steps differ depending on whether you're casting from a Windows or Mac computer, an Android phone, or an iPhone. Each has its own menu path and slightly different naming, but the core requirement is the same: your device and your Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen casting requires your device and Chromecast to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you start.
  • Windows computers use the "Project" menu, Macs use AirPlay, Android phones use "Cast Screen," and iPhones cannot screen cast to Chromecast (they require AirPlay-compatible devices).
  • Once casting starts, your TV shows a mirrored copy of your screen, and notifications or private messages will appear on the TV as well.
  • You can stop casting from your device's control panel or by unplugging the Chromecast, and the TV will return to its previous input.

Casting from a Windows computer

On Windows 10 or 11, open the Quick Settings panel by pressing Windows key + A together. Look for the "Cast" button in the panel that appears. Click it, then select your Chromecast device from the list. Windows will ask whether you want to cast your entire screen or just a single app window—choose "Entire screen" for a full mirror.

If the Cast button doesn't appear in Quick Settings, you may need to add it. Right-click the Quick Settings panel, select "Edit quick settings," and look for Cast in the available options to turn it on. If your Chromecast still doesn't show up, restart both your computer and the Chromecast device, then check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Once casting begins, your screen appears on the TV with a slight delay—usually one to three seconds. To stop, press Windows key + A again, click Cast, and select "Disconnect."

Casting from a Mac computer

On macOS, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar (it looks like a rectangle with sliders). Select "Screen Mirroring" from the menu. Your Chromecast device should appear in the list—click it to begin casting.

If your Chromecast doesn't appear, make sure your Mac and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. You can check your Mac's Wi-Fi in the top-right menu bar. If they're on the same network and the Chromecast still doesn't show, restart both devices and try again.

Your Mac's entire screen will mirror to the TV. To stop, click Control Center again, select Screen Mirroring, and choose "Turn Off Screen Mirroring."

Casting from an Android phone or tablet

Open your Android device's Quick Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen twice. Look for a button labeled "Cast Screen," "Screen Cast," or sometimes just "Cast"—the exact name varies by phone model and Android version. Tap it, then select your Chromecast from the list that appears.

Your phone's screen will now appear on the TV. Everything visible on your phone—including notifications, incoming calls, and text messages—will show on the TV as well. To stop casting, open Quick Settings again, tap the Cast button, and select "Stop casting" or "Disconnect."

If you don't see a Cast option in Quick Settings, swipe down once more to see if there's a second panel of options, or check your phone's settings menu under "Display" or "Connected devices." Some Android phones require you to enable casting in developer options first.

Why iPhones cannot cast to Chromecast

iPhones and iPads cannot screen cast to Chromecast devices because Apple uses a different technology called AirPlay. AirPlay is Apple's proprietary system, and Chromecast does not support it. If you own an iPhone and want to mirror your screen to a TV, you need an AirPlay-compatible device such as an Apple TV, or a TV with built-in AirPlay support.

You can still cast individual apps from an iPhone to Chromecast—for example, you can cast a YouTube video or a photo from Google Photos—but you cannot mirror your entire screen. The casting button for individual apps appears within the app itself, not in your phone's settings.

What happens when you cast your screen

Once casting begins, your TV shows a live mirror of your device. This means every action you take on your device appears on the TV with a slight delay. If you open an email, it opens on the TV. If you receive a text message, the notification appears on the TV. If you have a private browser window open, it will be visible to anyone watching the TV.

For this reason, many people close sensitive apps or notifications before casting. You can also mute notifications on your device before you start, or use a presentation mode if your device offers one—some phones and computers have a "Do Not Disturb" setting that silences alerts during casting.

The TV will show your device's screen resolution scaled to fit the TV's size. If your device is in portrait mode (vertical), the TV will show it in portrait as well, with black bars on the sides. Rotating your device to landscape (horizontal) will adjust what the TV displays.

Troubleshooting common casting problems

If your device doesn't see the Chromecast, the most common cause is that they're not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your device's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it's connected to the same network name as the Chromecast. You can find the Chromecast's network name in the Google Home app on your phone or in your router's settings.

If the Chromecast is on a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band and your device only supports 2.4 GHz, they won't connect. Most modern routers broadcast both bands—check your router's settings to see if you can connect your device to the same band as the Chromecast, or restart the Chromecast to reset its connection.

If casting starts but the picture is choppy or keeps disconnecting, move your device closer to the Chromecast or router, or reduce the number of other devices using the Wi-Fi. Casting uses significant bandwidth, and a crowded network can cause lag or drops. Restarting both your device and the Chromecast often resolves temporary connection issues.

When to call for help

If you've checked that both devices are on the same network, restarted both, and the Chromecast still doesn't appear, the Chromecast itself may need to be reset. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the light to stabilize before trying again. If that doesn't work, you may need to set up the Chromecast again using the Google Home app.

If your Wi-Fi network itself is unstable—devices frequently disconnect or the internet is very slow—the issue may be with your router rather than the Chromecast. Restarting your router can help. If problems persist, contact your internet service provider or a local tech support person who can assess your network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my device while I'm casting?

Yes. You can open apps, check email, or do anything else on your device while it's casting—the TV will show whatever you do. This is useful for controlling a presentation or navigating while others watch. Keep in mind that notifications and private messages will also appear on the TV.

Does casting use a lot of data?

Casting uses Wi-Fi bandwidth but not your phone's cellular data plan. It streams your screen over your home Wi-Fi network, so it won't count against any mobile data limit. However, it does use significant Wi-Fi bandwidth, so other devices on your network may slow down.

Can I cast from multiple devices at the same time?

No. A Chromecast can only display one screen at a time. If a second device tries to cast while another is already casting, the Chromecast will ask which device to show. Selecting a new device will stop the previous cast.

What if my Chromecast is on a different floor or room?

As long as your device and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network, distance doesn't matter. However, Wi-Fi signal strength can weaken through walls and floors. If casting is choppy or keeps dropping, try moving your device closer to the Chromecast or router.

Will casting drain my phone's battery faster?

Yes, screen casting uses more power than normal phone use because your device is constantly sending data over Wi-Fi. Battery drain is usually noticeable during longer casting sessions. Plugging your phone into a charger before you start casting can prevent it from dying mid-presentation.