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. Both your device and the Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and the process takes about 10 to 15 seconds from start to finish.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're mirroring from Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows. Each operating system has its own menu location for the mirror option, but the Chromecast itself works the same way for all of them.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone, tablet, or computer and your Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can mirror.
  • Android phones use "Cast" in the Quick Settings menu; iPhones and iPads use AirPlay in Control Center; Windows uses the "Project" menu; Macs use AirPlay in the menu bar.
  • Once mirroring starts, your device's screen appears on the TV with a slight delay of one to two seconds.
  • Mirroring drains your device's battery faster than normal use, so plug in your phone or tablet if you plan to mirror for more than an hour.

Mirror from an Android phone or tablet

Open the Quick Settings panel by swiping down from the top of your screen twice (or once on some phones). Look for a button labeled Cast, Screen Cast, or Wireless Display—the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer and Android version. Tap it.

Your phone will search for nearby Chromecast devices for about 5 to 10 seconds. When your Chromecast appears in the list, tap its name. Your screen will when ready begin mirroring to the TV. A small icon will appear at the top of your phone showing that mirroring is active. To stop, tap the Cast button again and select "Stop Casting."

If you don't see a Cast button in Quick Settings, swipe down again to see if there's a button to show more options, or open the Settings app, search for "cast," and look for "Cast Media" or "Wireless Display" in the results.

Mirror from an iPhone or iPad

Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen (or swiping up from the bottom on older models). Look for a button that shows overlapping rectangles or says Screen Mirroring. Tap it.

A list of available devices will appear within a few seconds. Tap your Chromecast's name. Your screen will begin mirroring when ready. A blue bar will appear at the top of your screen to show that mirroring is active. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select "Stop Mirroring."

If you don't see Screen Mirroring in Control Center, you can add it by going to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls and tapping the plus sign next to Screen Mirroring.

Mirror from a Windows computer

Right-click on the Windows desktop and look for an option called Display Settings or Nvidia Control Panel (if you have an Nvidia graphics card). Alternatively, open the Settings app, go to System > Display, and scroll down to find "Cast to devices" or "Project to this PC."

Click the Project button in the taskbar (usually in the bottom-right corner near the time and volume icons), or press Windows key + P on your keyboard. A menu will appear with options including "Duplicate," "Extend," and "Second Screen Only." Select "Duplicate" to mirror your screen. A list of available devices will appear. Click your Chromecast's name, and mirroring will begin within 10 seconds.

If the Project menu doesn't appear, your graphics drivers may need updating. Visit your computer manufacturer's support website and read the latest display drivers for your model.

Mirror from a Mac

Click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar (it looks like a grid of squares). Look for Screen Mirroring in the menu that appears. Click it.

A list of available devices will appear. Click your Chromecast's name. Your Mac's screen will begin mirroring to the TV within 10 seconds. A blue icon will appear in the menu bar to show that mirroring is active. To stop, click Control Center again, click Screen Mirroring, and select "Turn Off Screen Mirroring."

If you don't see Screen Mirroring in Control Center, your Mac may not support Chromecast mirroring directly. In that case, you can use the Google Home app instead: open it, select your Chromecast, tap the three dots, go to Settings > Device Information, and look for casting options.

Troubleshooting common mirroring problems

If your device doesn't find your Chromecast, restart both devices and make sure they're on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your router's name and password in your phone or computer's Wi-Fi settings—if one device is on a 5 GHz network and the other is on 2.4 GHz, they won't see each other. Most routers broadcast both frequencies under the same name, so reconnect to your network and let your device choose automatically.

If mirroring starts but the picture is choppy or freezes, move your device closer to the Chromecast or router. Walls, microwaves, and other wireless devices can interfere with the signal. Closing unused apps on your phone or computer can also improve performance. If the lag is severe, try restarting your Chromecast by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

If the audio is out of sync with the video, this is normal for Chromecast mirroring—there's usually a one to two second delay. This delay is built into how Chromecast works and cannot be eliminated. If the delay is longer than two seconds, restart both devices.

What to expect while mirroring

Once mirroring is active, your entire screen appears on the TV with a slight delay. Scrolling, typing, and opening apps all appear on the TV a moment after you do them on your device. The TV will also show any notifications, incoming calls, or alerts that appear on your phone or computer.

Mirroring uses more battery power than normal use. If you're mirroring from a phone or tablet, plug it in if you plan to mirror for longer than an hour. The Chromecast itself draws about 4 watts of power, which is included in your normal electricity use.

You can use your device normally while mirroring—open apps, browse the web, or take photos. Everything you do will appear on the TV. If you want to hide something on your screen (like a private message), you can pause mirroring temporarily by tapping the Cast button and selecting "Stop Casting," then resume when you're ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror and cast at the same time?

No. You can either mirror your entire screen or cast a single app, but not both at once. If you're mirroring and want to cast a specific app instead, stop mirroring first, then open the app and use its built-in cast button.

Why does my screen look blurry or pixelated on the TV?

Chromecast adjusts the image quality based on your Wi-Fi speed. If your network is slow or crowded, the picture will be lower quality. Move closer to your router, close other apps using the internet, or restart your router to improve the connection.

Can I mirror from a web browser or just my whole screen?

Screen mirroring shows your entire screen, not just a browser tab. If you only want to share a Chrome browser tab, use the Cast button inside Chrome instead of your device's screen mirroring option.

Does mirroring work if my Chromecast is on a different Wi-Fi network?

No. Your device and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you have a guest network, make sure both are connected to the main network, not the guest network.

Can I mirror to multiple Chromecast devices at once?

No. You can only mirror to one Chromecast at a time. To switch to a different Chromecast, stop mirroring and select a new device from the list.