Connect Your iPhone to Chromecast Using Google Home or Supported Apps
You cannot connect an iPhone directly to Chromecast the way you would connect an Android phone. Instead, you cast content from apps that support Chromecast, or you set up and control your Chromecast device using the Google Home app on your iPhone. The process depends on what you want to do: control the device itself, or send video and audio from a specific app to your TV.
Most people use one of two paths. The first is casting from an app—Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and dozens of others have a built-in cast button that sends content directly to your Chromecast without needing a separate connection step. The second is using Google Home to manage your Chromecast, which lets you rename it, check its status, and adjust settings from your phone.
Key Takeaways
- Your iPhone must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device for either method to work.
- Apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify have a cast button built in—tap it to send video or audio to your TV without extra steps.
- Use the Google Home app to set up your Chromecast, rename it, and manage settings from your iPhone.
- iPhone does not support screen mirroring to Chromecast; you can only cast from apps that have Chromecast support built in.
- If casting does not work, restart your Chromecast, restart your iPhone, and confirm both are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Set Up Your Chromecast with Google Home on iPhone
Before you can cast anything, your Chromecast must be set up and connected to Wi-Fi. read the Google Home app from the App Store and open it. Tap the plus icon in the top left corner and select "Set up device." Choose "Set up a new device" and follow the on-screen prompts to connect your Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network. The app will ask you to select your home Wi-Fi, enter the password, and name your device.
Once setup is complete, your Chromecast appears in the Google Home app as a tile. From here you can see whether it is online, rename it, and access settings. Keep the Google Home app installed on your iPhone—you do not need to open it every time you cast, but it is useful for troubleshooting and managing your device.
Cast from Apps Using the Built-In Cast Button
Most streaming apps have a cast button somewhere in the player or menu. Open the app you want to use—YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, or another service that supports Chromecast. Start playing the video or audio you want to watch or listen to. Look for a cast icon, which usually looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the bottom corner, or a Wi-Fi symbol with a triangle underneath.
Tap the cast icon. A list of available Chromecast devices on your network appears. Select your Chromecast by name. The content starts playing on your TV within a few seconds. Your iPhone becomes a remote control—you can pause, skip, adjust volume, and search for new content while the video or audio plays on your TV. The app stays open on your phone; you can lock your screen or switch to another app without interrupting playback.
Different apps place the cast button in different locations. In YouTube, it is in the top right of the player. In Netflix, it is in the top right corner of the app. In Spotify, it is in the "Now Playing" bar at the bottom. If you do not see a cast button, the app may not support Chromecast, or you may need to update the app from the App Store.
Confirm Your iPhone and Chromecast Are on the Same Wi-Fi Network
Casting only works when your iPhone and Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone and go to Wi-Fi. Note which network you are connected to. Then check your Chromecast: open Google Home, tap your Chromecast device, tap the settings icon (gear), and look at "Wi-Fi network." Both should show the same network name.
If they are on different networks, your iPhone will not see the Chromecast device, and the cast button will be grayed out or missing. Reconnect your Chromecast to the correct network using Google Home: tap the device, tap settings, tap "Wi-Fi," and follow the prompts to select and connect to your home network.
Restart Your Chromecast and iPhone if Casting Stops Working
If the cast button does not appear, or casting starts but stops midway, restart both devices. Unplug your Chromecast from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for the light to stabilize—this usually takes one to two minutes. While it restarts, restart your iPhone: press and hold the side button and either volume button, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears.
After both devices restart, open your app again and try casting. In most cases, this resolves connection issues. If casting still does not work, open Google Home, tap your Chromecast, tap settings, and check that it is still connected to your Wi-Fi network. If it has disconnected, reconnect it using the same steps described in the previous section.
Use AirPlay as an Alternative if Your TV Supports It
If you have an Apple TV connected to your television, you can use AirPlay instead of Chromecast to send content from your iPhone to your TV. AirPlay is Apple's casting system and works with any app on your iPhone, including screen mirroring. Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select your Apple TV.
Chromecast does not support AirPlay, so this option only works if you own an Apple TV device. If you have both Chromecast and Apple TV in your home, you can choose which one to use depending on the app and content. Some apps work better with one system or the other, so having both options gives you flexibility.
Check App Compatibility and Update Apps if Cast Button Is Missing
Not every app supports Chromecast. Popular services like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max all support it, but smaller or older apps may not. If you do not see a cast button in an app, check the App Store to see if an update is available. Open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, scroll down to "Available Updates," and update the app if one is listed.
After updating, open the app again and look for the cast button. If it still does not appear, the app may not support Chromecast. In that case, your only option with Chromecast is to use screen mirroring on an Android phone, which iPhone does not support. You would need to use an Apple TV or another casting method to send that app's content to your TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mirror my iPhone screen to Chromecast?
No. Chromecast does not support screen mirroring from iPhone. You can only cast from apps that have Chromecast built in. If you need to mirror your entire screen, use an Apple TV instead, which supports AirPlay screen mirroring from any iPhone.
Why does the cast button not show up in my app?
The app may not support Chromecast, or you may need to update it. Open the App Store, go to your profile, and check for available updates. If an update is available, install it and try again. If no update exists and the cast button still does not appear, that app does not support Chromecast.
Do I need to keep the Google Home app open to cast?
No. Once your Chromecast is set up in Google Home, you can close the app. The cast button in other apps will still work. Google Home is only needed for setup and for managing your device settings.
What should I do if my iPhone does not find my Chromecast?
Check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone and confirm the network name. Then open Google Home, tap your Chromecast, tap settings, and confirm it is connected to the same network. If they are on different networks, reconnect your Chromecast to your home Wi-Fi using Google Home.
Can I cast to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time from my iPhone?
Most apps only let you cast to one device at a time. You select one Chromecast from the list and content plays there. To cast to a different device, tap the cast button again and select a different Chromecast. Some apps may support casting to multiple devices, but this is not standard.