The basic steps to cast from your iPhone

To cast from your iPhone to a Chromecast device, you need the Google Home app installed on your phone, a Chromecast plugged into your TV, and both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. Open the Google Home app, tap the device you want to cast to, then look for a cast button in the app you're using — Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and most streaming services have one built in. Tap it, select your Chromecast, and the content plays on your TV instead of your phone's screen.

The process is different from Android because iPhones don't have a system-wide cast feature. Instead, individual apps handle casting themselves. This means you cast from within the app you're watching or listening to, not from your phone's settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPhone, Chromecast, and Wi-Fi router must all be connected to the same network before casting will work.
  • You cast from inside the app itself — Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and most streaming services have a cast button you tap to send content to your TV.
  • The Google Home app lets you manage your Chromecast and see which devices are available, but it doesn't do the actual casting for most apps.
  • If your Chromecast doesn't appear in the cast menu, restart both your phone and the Chromecast device, then check that they're on the same Wi-Fi network.

Setting up your Chromecast before you cast

Your Chromecast needs to be plugged in, powered on, and connected to your Wi-Fi network. If you haven't set it up yet, use the Google Home app on your iPhone: open it, tap the plus icon to add a device, select "Set up device," choose "Set up new device," and follow the prompts to connect your Chromecast to your Wi-Fi. The app will ask you to confirm a code that appears on your TV screen.

Once your Chromecast is set up, make sure your iPhone is on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone, go to Wi-Fi, and confirm you're connected to the same network name (SSID) that your Chromecast uses. If your home has a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz network with different names, both your phone and Chromecast should be on the same one — most Chromecasts work best on 2.4 GHz, though newer models support 5 GHz.

Finding and tapping the cast button in your app

The cast button looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner — it's usually in the top or bottom corner of the app's playback screen. In Netflix, it's in the top right. In YouTube, it's in the top right as well. In Spotify, it's at the bottom of the now-playing screen. In Apple TV+, it's in the top right corner of the video player.

When you tap the cast button, a menu appears showing all available Chromecast devices on your network. Select the one you want to use. The app will send the video or audio to your TV, and playback will start there. Your phone's screen will show a smaller player so you can pause, skip, or adjust volume without interrupting what's playing on your TV.

What to do if your Chromecast doesn't appear

If you don't see your Chromecast in the cast menu, the most common cause is that your phone and Chromecast are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it's connected to the same network as your Chromecast. If you have a dual-band router that broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks with the same name, your phone might have connected to one while your Chromecast is on the other.

Restart both devices: unplug your Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the light to stabilize. Then restart your iPhone by powering it off and back on. Open the app again and look for the cast button. If the Chromecast still doesn't appear, open the Google Home app and check that your Chromecast shows as "Connected" — if it shows offline, your Chromecast has lost its Wi-Fi connection and needs to be set up again.

Casting audio from music and podcast apps

Music and podcast apps work the same way as video apps. Spotify, Apple Music, Podcasts, and most audio streaming services have a cast button in the now-playing screen. Tap it, select your Chromecast, and the audio plays through your TV's speakers instead of your phone's speaker. Your phone stays connected and controls playback — you can pause, skip, or adjust volume from your phone while the sound comes out of your TV.

Some apps, like Spotify, let you cast to multiple Chromecast devices at once if you have more than one in your home. After you tap cast and select a device, you can tap additional devices to add them to the group. This is useful if you want the same music playing in multiple rooms.

Using Google Home app to manage your Chromecast

The Google Home app is the control center for your Chromecast, but it doesn't cast content itself for most apps. Instead, it lets you see which Chromecasts are available, rename them, adjust settings, and restart them. Open the app, find your Chromecast in the device list, and tap it to see options like volume control, input selection, and reboot.

One exception: you can cast your entire iPhone screen to a Chromecast using the Google Home app, though this is less common than casting individual apps. Tap your Chromecast in the Google Home app, then look for "Cast my screen" — this mirrors everything on your phone to your TV, which is useful for presentations or showing photos but uses more battery and data than casting a single app.

Why some apps don't have a cast button

Not every app supports casting. Smaller streaming services, local news apps, and some social media apps don't have built-in cast buttons. If an app doesn't have one, you can't cast from it directly. Your only option is to use the screen mirroring feature in Google Home, which shows your entire phone screen on your TV — this works for any app but is slower and drains your battery faster than casting a single app.

If you frequently use an app that doesn't support casting, check its settings or help section to see if casting is planned. Many developers add this feature based on user requests. In the meantime, screen mirroring through Google Home is the workaround, though it's not ideal for long viewing sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my iPhone while something is casting to Chromecast?

Yes. Once you've started casting, your iPhone controls the playback but the content plays on your TV. You can use other apps, browse the web, or even lock your phone — the casting continues. The only exception is screen mirroring, which stops if you lock your phone or switch to another app.

Why does my Chromecast keep disconnecting from my iPhone?

This usually means your Wi-Fi connection is unstable or your phone and Chromecast have drifted onto different networks. Move your Chromecast closer to your router, check that your phone is on the same network, and restart both devices. If it keeps happening, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Do I need to pay for casting, or is it included with Chromecast?

Casting itself is free — it's a built-in feature of Chromecast. You only pay for the streaming services you use, like Netflix or Spotify. Those subscriptions work the same whether you're watching on your phone or casting to your TV.

Can I cast from multiple iPhones to the same Chromecast?

Yes, but only one person can cast at a time. If two people try to cast simultaneously, the second cast request takes over and interrupts the first. You can hand off control by having the first person stop casting, then the second person can start.

What's the difference between casting and screen mirroring?

Casting sends just the app's content to your TV, while screen mirroring sends your entire phone screen. Casting is faster, uses less battery, and lets you use your phone for other things. Screen mirroring is slower but works with any app, even ones that don't support casting.