Connect a phone or tablet to Chromecast in three steps

To cast from your phone or tablet, make sure your device is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast, then open any app that supports casting — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos, and most streaming services have a cast button built in. Tap the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), select your Chromecast from the list, and the content will start playing on your TV. Your phone or tablet controls the playback from that point on.

The cast button appears in different places depending on the app. In YouTube, it's in the top right corner. In Netflix, swipe up from the bottom and look for the cast icon. In Google Photos, tap the three dots menu and select "Cast". If you don't see a cast button, that app doesn't support Chromecast — you can still mirror your entire screen instead (see the section below on screen mirroring).

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone, tablet, or computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast for casting to work.
  • Most streaming apps have a built-in cast button that sends video directly to your TV without mirroring your screen.
  • If an app doesn't have a cast button, you can mirror your entire screen from your device's settings instead.
  • Chromecast works with Android phones, iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, and Windows computers.
  • If casting doesn't work, restart both your Chromecast and your phone, then check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Set up your Chromecast before you cast for the first time

Before you can cast anything, your Chromecast needs to be plugged into your TV's HDMI port and powered on. The light on the Chromecast will blink white while it's starting up. Once it's ready, the light will turn solid or go off, depending on your model.

read the Google Home app on your phone or tablet (available free on iOS and Android). Open the app, tap the plus icon to add a device, select "Set up device", choose "Set up a new device", and follow the on-screen steps. The app will ask you to select your home Wi-Fi network and enter your password. Once your Chromecast connects to Wi-Fi, you're ready to cast. You only need to do this once — after setup, casting works automatically whenever your phone is on the same network.

Cast from an Android phone or tablet

Android devices have the easiest casting experience because Google built Chromecast support directly into the operating system. Open any app that supports casting — YouTube, Google Play Movies, Spotify, or Hulu — and look for the cast icon in the app's menu or playback controls. Tap it, select your Chromecast from the list, and playback will move to your TV.

If the app you want to use doesn't have a cast button, you can mirror your entire Android screen instead. Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open Quick Settings, find "Cast" or "Screen cast", tap it, and select your Chromecast. Your phone's screen will now appear on your TV, and you can open any app and control it from your phone. Keep in mind that screen mirroring uses more battery and can be slower than casting through an app.

Cast from an iPhone or iPad

iPhones and iPads cast through individual apps rather than through a system-wide feature. Open YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, or another streaming app, look for the cast icon (usually in the top right or bottom corner), tap it, and select your Chromecast. The app will start playing on your TV, and you control it from your phone.

If you want to mirror your entire iPad screen, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center, tap "Screen Mirroring", and select your Chromecast. Your iPad's display will appear on your TV. Screen mirroring works on iPhones too, but it's less common because most people cast through apps instead. Note that not every app supports casting to Chromecast — if you don't see a cast button, try a different app or use screen mirroring as a backup.

Cast from a Mac or Windows computer

On a Mac, open Google Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select "Cast", choose your Chromecast, and then select whether you want to cast a tab or your entire screen. Casting a tab sends just that browser window to your TV, while casting your screen sends everything on your desktop. You can switch between them at any time.

On Windows, the process is the same: open Google Chrome, click the three-dot menu, select "Cast", pick your Chromecast, and choose "Cast tab" or "Cast desktop". You can also cast from the Windows 10 or Windows 11 settings menu — swipe in from the right edge (or press Windows key + A) to open Action Center, click "Connect", and select your Chromecast. This method mirrors your entire screen without needing Chrome open.

Troubleshoot when casting doesn't work

The most common reason casting fails is that your phone and Chromecast are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it's connected to the same network name as your Chromecast. If you recently changed your Wi-Fi password, your Chromecast may still be trying to use the old one — open the Google Home app, select your Chromecast, tap the settings icon, and re-enter your Wi-Fi password.

If your Chromecast isn't showing up in the cast menu at all, restart both devices. Unplug your Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the light to stop blinking. Then restart your phone. Try casting again. If the cast button still doesn't appear in your app, that app may not support Chromecast — check the app's help section or try a different app to test whether casting works at all.

If casting starts but then stops or keeps disconnecting, move your Chromecast closer to your Wi-Fi router or away from other electronics that might cause interference (microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors can all disrupt Wi-Fi). You can also try forgetting your Wi-Fi network on your phone and reconnecting to it, which sometimes fixes connection problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be on the same Wi-Fi network to cast?

Yes. Your phone, tablet, or computer and your Chromecast must both be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you're on a guest network and your Chromecast is on your main network, they won't see each other. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure the network name matches the one your Chromecast is using.

Can I cast from my phone while using a different app?

Yes. Once you start casting, your phone controls the playback but you can open other apps, check email, or do other things. The content keeps playing on your TV. If you close the app that's casting, playback will stop, but you can switch back to it and resume where you left off.

What's the difference between casting and screen mirroring?

Casting sends video from an app directly to your TV — your phone just acts as a remote control. Screen mirroring copies everything on your phone's screen to your TV, so your phone's display appears on the TV in real time. Casting is faster and uses less battery, but only works with apps that support it. Screen mirroring works with any app but drains your battery faster.

Why does the cast button not appear in my app?

Not every app supports Chromecast. Older apps or apps from smaller developers may not have built-in casting. If you don't see a cast button, try using screen mirroring instead, or open the app's settings to see if casting is an option you need to turn on. You can also check the app's help page to confirm whether it supports Chromecast.

Can I cast to multiple Chromecasts at the same time?

Most apps only let you cast to one Chromecast at a time. If you have multiple Chromecasts in your home, you can switch between them by tapping the cast button and selecting a different device, but you can't send the same content to two TVs simultaneously through a single app.