Chromecast works on Mac through your web browser, not through a separate app

Chromecast on a Mac doesn't require special software or settings buried in System Preferences. Instead, you use the Google Chrome browser to send video, audio, or your entire screen to a Chromecast device. Your Mac and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and you need Chrome installed—Safari and Firefox cannot cast to Chromecast.

The casting happens through Chrome's built-in Cast button, which appears in the browser toolbar once you've set things up. This means you can cast YouTube, Netflix, Google Photos, or any website that supports casting, as well as mirror your entire Mac screen if you need to show something that isn't web-based.

Key Takeaways

  • read and install Google Chrome on your Mac if you don't have it already, because Safari and Firefox cannot cast to Chromecast.
  • Make sure your Mac and Chromecast device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you attempt to cast anything.
  • The Cast button appears in Chrome's toolbar once both devices are on the same network, and you click it to choose which Chromecast device receives the video or screen.
  • You can cast individual tabs, entire browser windows, or your whole Mac screen depending on what you're trying to share.

Install Google Chrome on your Mac

Go to google.com/chrome in any browser on your Mac. Click the blue "read Chrome" button. The browser will read a file called "googlechrome.dmg"—this is a disk image that contains the Chrome installer.

Open your Downloads folder and double-click the googlechrome.dmg file. A window will appear showing the Chrome icon and an Applications folder icon with an arrow between them. Drag the Chrome icon onto the Applications folder. Wait for the copy process to finish, then eject the disk image by clicking the eject icon next to it in Finder.

Open your Applications folder and double-click Google Chrome to launch it for the first time. Chrome will ask for permission to access your Mac's contacts and calendar—you can allow or skip these. Sign in with your Google account if you want to sync bookmarks and settings across devices, or skip this step to use Chrome without signing in.

Connect your Mac and Chromecast to the same Wi-Fi network

Your Chromecast device should already be set up and connected to your Wi-Fi network. If it isn't, follow the setup instructions that came with your Chromecast or visit the Chromecast setup page on Google's website.

On your Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar. Select the same Wi-Fi network that your Chromecast is connected to. Enter the password if prompted. Once you're connected, your Mac and Chromecast can communicate with each other.

To verify both devices are on the same network, open Chrome and look at the address bar. If the Cast button (a rectangle with a curved line in the corner) doesn't appear yet, it will show up once Chrome detects your Chromecast on the network—this usually takes a few seconds to a minute.

Find and use the Cast button in Chrome

Open Google Chrome and navigate to a website or app that supports casting—YouTube, Netflix, Google Photos, and most streaming services work. Look at the top-right corner of the Chrome window, where you'll see the address bar and several icons. The Cast button looks like a small rectangle with a curved line in the bottom-left corner.

If you don't see the Cast button, it means Chrome hasn't detected your Chromecast yet. Wait another 10 to 15 seconds and refresh the page. If it still doesn't appear, check that both your Mac and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network by repeating the steps in the previous section.

Click the Cast button. A dropdown menu will appear showing all available Chromecast devices on your network. Click the name of the Chromecast you want to cast to. The video or content will begin playing on your TV or display connected to the Chromecast, and you'll see a blue Cast button in the Chrome toolbar indicating an active connection.

Cast your entire Mac screen instead of just a browser tab

If you need to show something that isn't in a web browser—like a document, presentation, or desktop process—you can mirror your entire Mac screen to Chromecast. Click the Cast button in Chrome's toolbar and look for an option that says "Cast entire screen" or "Mirror sources" at the bottom of the dropdown menu.

Click that option. A second dropdown will appear asking what you want to cast. Select "Entire screen" to mirror everything on your Mac's display. Your whole screen will now appear on the TV or display connected to your Chromecast, and you can interact with your Mac normally while it's being mirrored.

To stop mirroring, click the blue Cast button in the Chrome toolbar and select "Stop casting." Your Mac screen will no longer appear on the TV, but the Chromecast device will remain connected and ready to receive new content.

Stop casting and disconnect from Chromecast

While content is playing on your Chromecast, the Cast button in Chrome's toolbar will be blue instead of gray. Click it to open the casting menu. You'll see the name of the Chromecast device you're currently casting to, along with a "Stop casting" button. Click "Stop casting" to end the connection.

The video or screen will stop playing on your TV, and the Cast button will return to gray. Your Chromecast device will remain on and connected to your Wi-Fi network, ready to receive new content from your Mac or any other device on the network.

Troubleshoot when the Cast button doesn't appear

The most common reason the Cast button doesn't show up is that your Mac and Chromecast are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check your Mac's Wi-Fi connection in the menu bar and confirm it matches the network your Chromecast is using. If your home has a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, try connecting your Mac to the same band your Chromecast is on—check your Chromecast's settings or the box it came in to see which band it uses.

If both devices are on the same network and the Cast button still doesn't appear, restart Chrome completely. Close all Chrome windows, wait 10 seconds, and open Chrome again. If that doesn't work, restart your Mac and your Chromecast device by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

If you're trying to cast from a website and the Cast button appears but nothing happens when you click it, the website may not support casting. Try casting from YouTube or Google Photos instead to test whether your setup is working. If those work, the issue is with that specific website, not your Mac or Chromecast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast from Safari or Firefox instead of Chrome?

No. Chromecast only works with Google Chrome on Mac. Safari and Firefox do not have built-in casting support for Chromecast devices. You must use Chrome to cast from your Mac.

Do I need to sign into my Google account to use Chromecast?

No. You can use Chromecast without signing into Chrome or having a Google account. Signing in is optional and only useful if you want to sync your bookmarks and settings across multiple devices.

What if my Chromecast is on a different Wi-Fi network than my Mac?

Your Mac and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network to communicate. If your Chromecast is on a guest network or a different band, connect your Mac to that same network. Check your router's settings or ask your network administrator if you're unsure which network your Chromecast is using.

Can I cast audio only, without video?

Yes. If you're playing music or a podcast on a website that supports casting, the Cast button will appear and you can send just the audio to a Chromecast device. The TV or display won't show video, but the audio will play through the speakers connected to your Chromecast.

Will casting drain my Mac's battery faster?

Casting uses some additional power, but the drain is minimal. Your Mac will use slightly more battery while actively casting than it would while idle, but the difference is usually only a few percent per hour. If battery life is a concern, keep your Mac plugged in while casting.