You cannot cast directly from Chromecast to Fire TV

Chromecast and Fire TV are separate casting systems that do not work together. Chromecast uses Google's casting protocol, while Fire TV uses Amazon's. A device built for one system cannot receive a cast from the other — they speak different languages.

What you can do instead depends on what you are trying to watch. If you want to send video or audio from your phone, tablet, or computer to a Fire TV device, you will use Fire TV's native casting feature, not Chromecast. If you own both a Chromecast device and a Fire TV device, they can sit in the same room, but you will choose which one to cast to based on what you are casting from.

Key Takeaways

  • Chromecast and Fire TV use incompatible casting systems and cannot send content to each other.
  • To cast to Fire TV from an Android phone or tablet, use the built-in Cast button in compatible apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify.
  • To cast to Fire TV from an iPhone or iPad, use AirPlay if your Fire TV supports it, or mirror your entire screen using the Fire TV app.
  • To cast to Fire TV from a Windows or Mac computer, use the Fire TV app or screen mirroring through your system settings.
  • Fire TV devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone, tablet, or computer for casting to work.

Casting from an Android phone or tablet to Fire TV

Open an app that supports Fire TV casting — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Prime Video, and Disney+ all work. Look for a cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner) in the app's menu or playback controls. Tap it.

A list of available devices will appear. Select your Fire TV device by name. The content will begin playing on your TV within a few seconds. You can control playback from your phone — pause, rewind, adjust volume — and the phone screen will dim or lock without stopping the video.

If you do not see a cast icon in the app you want to use, that app does not support Fire TV casting. Your alternative is to mirror your entire phone screen to the Fire TV instead (see the screen mirroring section below).

Casting from an iPhone or iPad to Fire TV

Most Fire TV devices support AirPlay, Apple's casting system. Open an app like YouTube or Netflix, find the AirPlay icon (it looks like a triangle with a rectangle below it), and tap it. Select your Fire TV device from the list. Content will stream to your TV.

Not all Fire TV models support AirPlay — older devices and budget models may not have it. If you do not see an AirPlay option, check your Fire TV's settings under Display & Sounds to confirm AirPlay is turned on. If it is on and you still do not see your device, your Fire TV model may not support AirPlay.

If AirPlay is not available, you can mirror your entire iPhone or iPad screen using the Fire TV app on your phone. Open the Fire TV app, tap the menu icon, select Mirror My Screen, and choose your Fire TV device. Your phone's entire display will appear on the TV.

Screen mirroring from Windows or Mac to Fire TV

read and open the Amazon Fire TV app on your computer. Sign in with the same Amazon account linked to your Fire TV device. The app will show your Fire TV devices on the network.

On Windows, look for a Mirror My Screen option in the Fire TV app menu. On Mac, open System Settings, go to General, then AirPlay and Handoff, and select your Fire TV device from the list. Your computer screen will appear on the TV. This works best for presentations, photos, or documents — video playback may lag depending on your Wi-Fi speed.

Alternatively, on Windows 10 or later, you can use built-in screen mirroring. Press Windows key + K to open the Quick Settings panel, select Cast, and choose your Fire TV device. On Mac, use the Control Center (top right corner) and select Screen Mirroring.

Troubleshooting when casting does not work

The most common reason casting fails is that your phone, tablet, or computer is not on the same Wi-Fi network as your Fire TV. Check that both devices are connected to the same network name. If you have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, try connecting both devices to the same band.

If your Fire TV does not appear in the cast list, restart both devices. Turn off your Fire TV, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your phone or computer as well. Then open the casting app again and look for your device.

If casting starts but stops after a few seconds, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Move your Fire TV device closer to your router, or move your phone or computer closer to the router. Interference from other devices can also cause drops — try casting again at a different time of day.

If the cast icon does not appear in an app, that app does not support Fire TV casting. Use screen mirroring instead, which works with any app but shows your entire screen on the TV.

Casting from web browsers to Fire TV

Most web browsers do not have built-in Fire TV casting. If you want to watch a video from a website on your Fire TV, use screen mirroring instead — this displays your entire browser window on the TV. Follow the screen mirroring steps above for your device type.

Some streaming services like YouTube have web versions that support casting if you use Google Chrome and have a Chromecast device, but those will not work with Fire TV. Stick to the official apps for YouTube, Netflix, and other services if you want to cast to Fire TV — they have better performance and more reliable casting than web browsers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Chromecast device and a Fire TV device in the same house?

Yes. They are separate systems, so you will have both devices available to cast to. When you open a casting app, you will see both your Chromecast and Fire TV in the device list. Choose which one you want to send content to based on which TV it is connected to.

Why does my Fire TV not show up in the cast list?

Your Fire TV and your phone or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your network settings and confirm both devices are connected to the same network name. Restart both devices if they are on the same network but still not finding each other.

Does screen mirroring work for all apps?

Yes. Screen mirroring displays everything on your phone, tablet, or computer screen on the TV, so it works with any app. However, it uses more Wi-Fi bandwidth than app-based casting, so video may buffer or lag if your Wi-Fi is slow.

Can I cast audio only to Fire TV?

Yes. Apps like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Pandora support audio casting to Fire TV. Open the app, find the cast icon, select your Fire TV device, and the audio will play through your TV speakers. The TV screen will show the app's interface or album art.

What if I want to cast from Chromecast to Fire TV?

You cannot cast between the two systems. If you have content on a Chromecast device, you will need to cast it to a different Chromecast device, not to Fire TV. If you want to watch that content on your Fire TV instead, use the app directly on your phone and cast to Fire TV from there.