The Basic Steps to Cast to Your TV
To cast to Chromecast, your phone or computer and your Chromecast device must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Once they are, you open an app that supports casting — like YouTube, Netflix, or Google Photos — tap or click the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), select your Chromecast device from the list, and the content plays on your TV instead of your phone or computer screen.
The cast icon appears in the app itself, not in your phone's settings. If you do not see it, the app does not support casting, or your devices are not on the same network. The whole process takes about five seconds once everything is set up.
Key Takeaways
- Your phone, computer, and Chromecast must all be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can cast.
- The cast icon appears inside the app you want to use — YouTube, Netflix, Google Photos, and many others have it built in.
- Tapping the cast icon shows you a list of available Chromecast devices; select the one connected to your TV.
- Some apps let you cast your entire screen instead of just one video or photo, which works differently and requires a longer hold on the cast icon.
Setting Up Your Chromecast Device and Wi-Fi
Before you can cast anything, your Chromecast must be plugged into your TV's HDMI port and powered on. The light on the device will blink while it is starting up. On your phone or computer, go to your Wi-Fi settings and look for a network name that starts with "Chromecast" or "Google Cast" — this is the device's own temporary network. Connect to it.
Once connected, open the Google Home app on your phone (or go to google.com/home in a web browser on your computer). The app will detect your Chromecast and walk you through naming it and connecting it to your home Wi-Fi. After that, your Chromecast will stay on your home network, and you can cast to it from any device on that same network.
If your Chromecast is already set up and on your home Wi-Fi, you can skip this step. Just make sure your phone or computer is also on the same Wi-Fi network.
Casting Video, Music, and Photos from Your Phone
Open any app that has a cast icon — YouTube, Spotify, Google Photos, Hulu, Disney+, and many others include it. The icon is usually in the top right or bottom right corner of the screen. Tap it, and a list of available Chromecast devices appears. Select the one you want to use.
The video, song, or photo will now play on your TV while your phone screen returns to normal. You can lock your phone, switch to another app, or even turn off the screen — the content keeps playing on the TV. To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Disconnect."
If the cast icon does not appear, check that your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. If it is and the icon still does not show, that particular app does not support casting.
Casting from a Computer or Laptop
On a Windows or Mac computer, open Chrome and go to any website with video content — YouTube, Netflix, or others. Look for the cast icon in the top right corner of the browser. Click it and select your Chromecast device. The video will play on your TV.
You can also cast your entire computer screen to your TV, which is useful for presentations or showing photos stored on your computer. In Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select "Cast," then choose "Cast desktop" instead of a specific tab. Your whole screen will appear on the TV.
If you are using a Mac, you may need to install the Google Cast extension for Chrome first. Search for "Google Cast" in the Chrome Web Store and add it to your browser.
Casting Your Entire Phone or Computer Screen
Instead of casting just one app or video, you can send your entire phone or computer screen to the TV. On Android phones, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings, then look for "Cast" or "Screen cast." Tap it, select your Chromecast device, and your whole screen appears on the TV.
On iPhones and iPads, screen casting to Chromecast is not built in — Apple devices use AirPlay instead, which requires an Apple TV. However, some apps like YouTube and Netflix still have their own cast buttons that work with Chromecast.
On a computer, use Chrome's "Cast desktop" option as described above. This is slower than casting a single app and uses more of your Wi-Fi bandwidth, but it is useful when you want to show everything on your screen.
Troubleshooting When Cast Icon Does Not Appear
The most common reason the cast icon does not show up is that your phone or computer is not on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. Check your Wi-Fi settings and make sure both devices are connected to the same network name.
If they are on the same network and the icon still does not appear, restart your phone or computer and try again. If the app you want to use does not support casting at all, you will not see the icon — check the app's help section or look for a list of supported features.
If your Chromecast itself is not showing up in the cast list, unplug it from the TV for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the light to stop blinking. Then try casting again. If it still does not work, restart your Wi-Fi router.
What to Do If Your Chromecast Is Not on Your Home Network
If your Chromecast is still on its temporary "Chromecast" network instead of your home Wi-Fi, open the Google Home app, tap the Chromecast device, then tap the settings icon (gear symbol). Select "Wi-Fi," then choose your home network and enter your password. The device will reconnect and should now appear in your cast list from any phone or computer on that network.
If you do not have the Google Home app, you can also set this up by connecting your phone to the Chromecast's temporary network, opening a web browser, and going to 192.168.1.1. This will show you the same setup screen where you can enter your home Wi-Fi details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cast from my iPhone to Chromecast?
Some apps like YouTube and Netflix have their own cast buttons that work with Chromecast on iPhone. However, you cannot cast your entire iPhone screen to Chromecast — that feature only works with Android. iPhones use AirPlay, which requires an Apple TV.
Do I need to pay for anything to use Chromecast?
No. Chromecast itself is free to use once you own the device. You only pay for the streaming services you subscribe to, like Netflix or Spotify. The casting feature itself has no cost.
What if my Wi-Fi password has special characters in it?
Type it exactly as it is, including capital letters, numbers, and symbols. If you are not sure of your password, check your router or log into your internet provider's website. If the Chromecast still will not connect, try resetting your Wi-Fi password to something simpler, then reconnect the Chromecast.
Can multiple people cast to the same Chromecast at the same time?
No. Only one device can cast at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you are already casting, their content will take over and yours will stop. You can take turns by disconnecting and letting the next person cast.
Why does casting sometimes lag or buffer?
Casting uses your Wi-Fi network, so if your Wi-Fi is slow or crowded, casting may stutter or pause. Move closer to your router, reduce the number of devices on your network, or restart your router. If your internet speed is very slow, the video itself may buffer even if the casting connection is fine.