Screen mirroring sends everything on your device to your TV through Chromecast

Screen mirroring displays your phone, tablet, or computer screen on a TV connected to a Chromecast device. Unlike casting a single app (like Netflix), mirroring shows your entire screen—every notification, browser tab, and menu. The process differs slightly depending on whether you're using Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows.

Mirroring is useful when you want to show photos to a group, follow a recipe on a larger display, or troubleshoot something on someone else's device. The Chromecast device must be plugged into your TV and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone or computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Chromecast and your phone or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network before you can mirror.
  • Android phones and tablets use the Cast Screen option in Quick Settings; iPhones and iPads use AirPlay through Control Center.
  • Windows computers mirror through the Connect app or Settings; Macs use AirPlay in the menu bar.
  • Mirroring drains your device's battery faster than normal use, so plug in if you plan to mirror for more than 30 minutes.
  • If mirroring fails, restart both your Chromecast and your device, then try again.

Mirror from an Android phone or tablet

Open the Quick Settings panel by swiping down twice from the top of your screen (or once on some devices). Look for an option called Cast, Cast Screen, or Screen Cast—the exact name varies by manufacturer. Tap it.

Your device will search for nearby Chromecast devices for a few seconds. When your Chromecast appears in the list, tap its name. Your screen will begin mirroring when ready. You'll see a notification at the top of your screen confirming the connection. To stop mirroring, open Quick Settings again, tap the Cast option, and select Stop Casting.

If you don't see a Cast option in Quick Settings, your device may not support screen mirroring, or the feature may be hidden. Try opening Google Home app instead: tap the device icon in the top right, select your Chromecast, tap the three-dot menu, and choose Cast My Screen.

Mirror from an iPhone or iPad

Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen (iPhone X and newer) or swiping up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and older). Look for Screen Mirroring or AirPlay. Tap it.

A list of available devices appears. Select your Chromecast by name. Your screen will begin mirroring within a few seconds. A blue bar at the top of your screen indicates an active connection. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring or AirPlay, and select Stop Mirroring.

If your Chromecast doesn't appear in the list, make sure your iPhone or iPad is on the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast. Restart both devices and try again. Some older Chromecast models do not support AirPlay mirroring from Apple devices—check your device's model number on the back if mirroring consistently fails.

Mirror from a Windows computer

Windows 10 and 11 include a built-in casting feature. Press the Windows key + K on your keyboard to open the Connect panel. Your computer will search for nearby Chromecast devices. When your Chromecast appears, click its name to begin mirroring.

Your entire screen will display on the TV. You can continue using your computer normally—everything you do will appear on the TV with a slight delay. To stop mirroring, press Windows key + K again and click Disconnect.

If the Connect panel doesn't open, try the Settings route instead. Open Settings, go to System, then Projecting to this PC. Scroll down and click Optional features, then search for and install Wireless Display optional feature if it's not already installed. After installation, Windows key + K should work.

Mirror from a Mac

Click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar (it looks like three horizontal lines). Scroll down and click Screen Mirroring. A dropdown list shows available devices. Select your Chromecast by name.

Your Mac screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. You'll see a blue menu bar at the top of your screen indicating an active connection. To stop mirroring, click Control Center again, click Screen Mirroring, and select Turn Off Screen Mirroring.

Macs running Monterey or newer support Chromecast mirroring natively. If you have an older Mac, you may need to use a third-party app like Google Home to mirror instead. Make sure your Mac and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Troubleshooting when mirroring won't start

The most common reason mirroring fails is that your device and Chromecast are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check that both are connected to the same network name. If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, try connecting your device to the 2.4 GHz band instead—some Chromecast models work better on 2.4 GHz.

If your device still doesn't see the Chromecast, restart both. Unplug the Chromecast from power for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. While it restarts, restart your phone or computer. Once both devices are back online and on the same network, try mirroring again.

If mirroring starts but the picture is choppy or freezes, move your device closer to the Chromecast or router. Walls, microwaves, and other Wi-Fi devices can interfere with the signal. Closing unnecessary apps on your device can also improve performance. Mirroring uses more processing power than normal use, so older devices may struggle.

What to expect while mirroring

Your screen will appear on the TV with a delay of one to three seconds. This lag is normal and unavoidable—it's the time it takes to send the video signal over Wi-Fi. The picture quality depends on your Wi-Fi speed and the resolution of your device. Most phones and tablets mirror at 1080p resolution.

Mirroring drains your device's battery significantly faster than normal use because it's constantly sending video data over Wi-Fi. If you plan to mirror for longer than 30 minutes, plug your device into a charger. Notifications and incoming calls will still appear on your device screen, and you can silence them without affecting what's shown on the TV.

If you need to use your device while mirroring, everything you do will appear on the TV. This includes opening apps, typing, and navigating menus. If you want privacy, stop mirroring before handling sensitive information like passwords or banking details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror just one app instead of my whole screen?

Yes, but it's called casting, not mirroring. Casting sends a single app to your TV while your device screen shows something else. Use the Cast button inside apps like YouTube, Google Photos, or Chrome instead of using the screen mirroring feature. Screen mirroring always shows your entire screen.

Why does my screen keep disconnecting from Chromecast?

Frequent disconnections usually mean your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move closer to your router or Chromecast. If that doesn't help, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. You can also try forgetting the Wi-Fi network on your device and reconnecting—sometimes this fixes connection stability issues.

Does mirroring work if I'm not home?

No. Your device and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network, so mirroring only works when you're home or on the same network as the Chromecast. You cannot mirror remotely over the internet.

Can I mirror to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time?

No. One device can only mirror to one Chromecast at a time. If you want to display your screen on multiple TVs, you would need to stop mirroring on the first Chromecast and start on the second.

What's the difference between mirroring and casting?

Mirroring shows your entire device screen on the TV. Casting sends a single app or video to the TV while your device screen remains independent. Casting is more efficient and doesn't drain your battery as quickly as mirroring.