Screen mirroring to Chromecast sends everything on your device's display to your TV in real time
Screen mirroring means your phone, tablet, or computer wirelessly sends its screen image to your Chromecast-connected TV. Whatever you see on your device appears on the larger screen — apps, videos, photos, web pages, everything. The process is different depending on whether you're using Android, iPhone, Windows, or Mac, but the basic idea is the same: both devices connect to the same Wi-Fi network, then you select your Chromecast from a menu.
Chromecast does not require a subscription or app read for basic mirroring. You use the casting feature built into your device's operating system. The TV shows exactly what your device shows, and you control it from your device — the remote stays in your hand.
Key Takeaways
- Your phone, tablet, or computer and your Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network before you can mirror.
- Android phones and tablets use the Quick Settings menu to find the Cast button; iPhones use Control Center and AirPlay (which requires a Chromecast that supports AirPlay).
- Windows and Mac computers cast through Chrome browser or through built-in system features, depending on your setup.
- Once you select your Chromecast from the casting menu, your screen appears on the TV within a few seconds.
- You can stop mirroring by tapping the Cast button again or by unplugging the Chromecast.
Screen mirroring from an Android phone or tablet
Open the app or screen you want to mirror. Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open Quick Settings fully. Look for a button labeled Cast, Screen cast, or sometimes Wireless display — the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer and Android version. Tap it.
Your phone will search for nearby Chromecast devices. When your Chromecast appears in the list, tap its name. Your phone will connect and begin mirroring within a few seconds. You'll see a small notification at the top of your screen showing that casting is active. To stop mirroring, swipe down to Quick Settings again, tap the Cast button, and select Stop casting.
If you don't see a Cast button in Quick Settings, your phone may not have the feature enabled. Go to Settings > Display (or Connected devices) and look for an option to turn on casting or wireless display. Some older Android phones do not support screen mirroring at all.
Screen mirroring from an iPhone or iPad
Screen mirroring from iPhone or iPad to a standard Chromecast requires a workaround, because Apple's AirPlay and Google's Chromecast do not work together directly. Most people use one of two methods: cast through a web browser, or use a Chromecast model that explicitly supports AirPlay (Google sells these as Chromecast with Google TV in some regions).
If you have a Chromecast that supports AirPlay, open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen. Tap Screen Mirroring, then select your Chromecast from the list. Your screen will mirror to the TV.
If your Chromecast does not support AirPlay, open Chrome browser on your iPhone, navigate to the website or video you want to watch, tap the three-dot menu, and select Cast. Choose your Chromecast. This method casts the browser tab, not your entire screen — only what's in Chrome appears on the TV.
Screen mirroring from a Windows computer
Windows 10 and Windows 11 have a built-in casting feature. Open the app or browser window you want to mirror. Press Windows key + K to open the Quick Settings cast menu. Your computer will search for nearby Chromecast devices. When your Chromecast appears, click its name to connect.
Your screen will begin mirroring to the TV. A small window will appear on your computer showing that casting is active. To stop mirroring, press Windows key + K again and select Disconnect.
If the Quick Settings method doesn't work, open Chrome browser instead. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, select Cast, and choose your Chromecast. This casts only the browser tab, not your entire screen. For full screen mirroring through Chrome, click the three-dot menu, go to Cast, then click Sources and select Cast entire screen.
Screen mirroring from a Mac
Mac does not have native Chromecast support built into the operating system. The most straightforward method is to use Chrome browser. Open Chrome, navigate to what you want to mirror, click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, and select Cast. Choose your Chromecast from the list. This casts your browser tab to the TV.
For full screen mirroring on Mac, you can use third-party apps like Streamer for Chromecast or Google Home app, though these are not official Apple tools. The simplest workaround for most people is to open the content you want to watch in Chrome and cast the tab instead of the entire screen.
Troubleshooting when your device won't find the Chromecast
The most common reason devices can't find a Chromecast is that they're not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that your phone, computer, and Chromecast are all connected to the same network — look at the Wi-Fi name in your device's settings and compare it to the network your Chromecast shows in the Google Home app. If they don't match, connect your device to the correct network and try again.
If both devices are on the same network and you still don't see your Chromecast, restart the Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait about 30 seconds for it to fully boot up. Then try casting again. If that doesn't work, restart your phone or computer as well.
Make sure your Chromecast is turned on and showing a screen on your TV. If the TV is off or the Chromecast is in standby mode, it may not appear in the casting menu. Turn on the TV and wait a few seconds, then search for the Chromecast again.
What happens during screen mirroring and what you should know
When you mirror your screen, everything on your device's display goes to the TV in real time. This includes notifications, incoming calls, and text messages — anything that pops up on your phone will appear on the TV as well. If you want privacy, turn off notifications before you start mirroring, or use a browser tab cast instead of full screen mirroring.
Screen mirroring uses your Wi-Fi connection, so if your Wi-Fi is slow or unstable, the image on the TV may lag or stutter. Moving closer to your router or reducing the number of devices on your network can help. Mirroring also drains your device's battery faster than normal use, so plug in your phone or computer if you plan to mirror for more than an hour.
Audio from your device plays through your TV's speakers by default. If you want sound to come from your device instead, check your TV's audio settings or your Chromecast's settings in the Google Home app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mirror my screen while using other apps on my phone?
Yes. Once mirroring starts, you can open other apps and they will appear on the TV. You can also lock your phone's screen and the TV will continue showing whatever was last displayed. This is useful if you want to play music or a video while doing something else on your phone.
Does screen mirroring work if I'm not at home?
No. Your device and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network, so mirroring only works when you're connected to the same router. You cannot mirror from outside your home to a Chromecast inside your home.
Why is there a delay between what I do on my phone and what appears on the TV?
A small delay of one to two seconds is normal and happens because the data has to travel from your device to your router to the Chromecast. If the delay is longer than that, your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move closer to your router or reduce the number of devices using the network.
Can I mirror to multiple Chromecast devices at the same time?
Most phones and computers can only cast to one Chromecast at a time. If you want to mirror to multiple TVs, you would need to cast from different devices, or use a different casting method like Bluetooth speakers or multi-room audio through the Google Home app.
What's the difference between casting a tab and casting my entire screen?
Casting a browser tab sends only what's in that Chrome window to the TV. Casting your entire screen sends everything — all your apps, notifications, and anything else visible on your device. Tab casting is more private because your notifications and other apps stay hidden from the TV.