Screen mirroring sends your phone or computer display to your TV through Chromecast

Screen mirroring means casting everything on your device's screen — apps, videos, photos, web pages — to your TV in real time. Chromecast receives that signal and displays it on the larger screen. The process differs slightly depending on whether you're mirroring from an Android phone, iPhone, Mac, or Windows computer, but the basic steps are the same: connect your device to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast, open the casting menu, and select your Chromecast device.

Unlike casting individual apps (which some apps support natively), screen mirroring shows everything — your notifications, your home screen, your cursor movements. This makes it useful for presentations, showing photos to a group, troubleshooting someone else's device, or playing games that don't have built-in casting support.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone or computer and your Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before mirroring will work.
  • Android phones use the Quick Settings menu to find the Cast option, while iPhones and iPads use Control Center and AirPlay.
  • Windows computers cast through the Settings menu under System, while Macs use the Control Center or menu bar.
  • Screen mirroring works over Wi-Fi only — there is no wired connection option for Chromecast.
  • If mirroring lags or disconnects, moving closer to your router or restarting both devices usually fixes the problem.

Screen mirroring 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 varies by manufacturer. Tap it to see a list of available devices on your network.

Select your Chromecast from the list. Your phone's screen will appear on your TV within a few seconds. The connection stays active until you tap the Cast button again and select Stop Casting, or until you turn off your phone's screen or move out of Wi-Fi range.

If you don't see a Cast button in Quick Settings, your phone may not have the feature built in, or it may be hidden. Check your phone's Settings app under Display or Connected Devices — some Android versions let you add the Cast shortcut to Quick Settings from there. If it's still not available, your phone's manufacturer may not include this feature.

Screen mirroring 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 labeled Screen Mirroring or AirPlay. Tap it to see available devices.

Select your Chromecast from the list. Your iPhone or iPad screen will appear on your TV. Note that Chromecast does not support Apple's native AirPlay protocol — instead, it uses a different standard. Some third-party apps may not mirror properly, and audio sometimes plays from your device rather than your TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

If you don't see your Chromecast listed, make sure your iPhone is on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart both your phone and your Chromecast (unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in) and try again.

Screen mirroring from a Windows computer

Open the Settings app and go to System > Display. Scroll down and click Cast to this PC or look for a Connect option. Some Windows versions also let you use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + K to open the casting menu directly.

A panel will appear showing available devices. Select your Chromecast. Your computer screen will display on your TV. You can continue using your computer normally — the mirroring continues in the background. To stop, open the same menu and select Disconnect.

Windows mirroring works best on Windows 10 and later. If your computer doesn't show a Cast option, your graphics card or Wi-Fi adapter may not support the feature. Updating your graphics drivers sometimes fixes this.

Screen mirroring from a Mac

Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar (top-right corner of your screen), or open System Settings and select Control Center. Look for Screen Mirroring or AirPlay. Click it to see available devices.

Select your Chromecast from the list. Your Mac's screen will appear on your TV. The menu bar and dock remain visible. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, click Screen Mirroring, and select Turn Off Screen Mirroring.

Mac support for Chromecast mirroring varies by model and macOS version. Older Macs may not support it at all. If your Chromecast doesn't appear, restart both devices and confirm they're on the same Wi-Fi network.

Troubleshooting common mirroring problems

Your device doesn't find the Chromecast: Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds. Make sure your phone, tablet, or computer is on the same Wi-Fi network — not a guest network or a different band (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz). Some routers separate these bands, and Chromecast may be on one while your device is on the other. Check your router settings or try connecting your device to the same band as your Chromecast.

Mirroring is slow or keeps disconnecting: Move closer to your Wi-Fi router. Walls, microwaves, and other wireless devices can interfere with the signal. If you're far from the router, the connection may drop. Restart both your device and your Chromecast. Close other apps using Wi-Fi on your device — streaming video or large downloads in the background will slow mirroring.

The screen appears but audio doesn't: On iPhones and some Android phones, audio may play from your device's speaker instead of your TV. Check your TV's volume and input. Some apps don't support audio mirroring and will play sound only from your device. This is normal and not a problem with your Chromecast.

The image is choppy or has a delay: This is usually a Wi-Fi strength issue. Move your device closer to the router, or move your Chromecast closer to the router. If you're on a 5 GHz network, try switching to 2.4 GHz — Chromecast sometimes performs better on the older, slower standard because it has better range.

What you need before you start

Your Chromecast must be plugged in and connected to your Wi-Fi network. You can check this by looking at the light on the device — a solid white light means it's ready. If the light is off or red, unplug it, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in.

Your phone, tablet, or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your router broadcasts separate networks (like a guest network), both devices need to be on the main network, not the guest network. Check your device's Wi-Fi settings to confirm which network you're connected to.

Screen mirroring uses Wi-Fi only — there is no way to mirror over Bluetooth or a wired connection. If your Wi-Fi is down, mirroring won't work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror my screen while using other apps on my phone?

Yes. Once mirroring starts, you can use your phone normally. Everything on your screen appears on the TV in real time, including notifications and app switches. If you want to use your phone privately while the TV shows something else, you'll need to stop mirroring first.

Does screen mirroring work on public Wi-Fi?

Usually not. Chromecast needs both devices on the same network, and public Wi-Fi networks often block the connection between devices for security reasons. You'll need a private Wi-Fi network where you control the settings.

Why does my iPhone show AirPlay instead of Chromecast?

iPhones use AirPlay as the name for their mirroring feature, even when connecting to non-Apple devices like Chromecast. When you tap AirPlay and see your Chromecast listed, that's the correct option — select it to mirror to your TV.

Can I mirror to multiple Chromecast devices at once?

No. You can only mirror to one Chromecast at a time from a single device. If you want to display on multiple TVs, you would need to stop mirroring on one and start on another.

What happens to my privacy when I screen mirror?

Everything on your screen is visible on the TV, including passwords you type, private messages, and browsing history. Only mirror when you're comfortable with what's displayed. Stop mirroring before opening sensitive information.