How to Screencast to Your TV Using Chromecast

What screencast means and how Chromecast does it

Screencast means sending everything on your phone, tablet, or computer screen to your TV in real time. When you screencast to Chromecast, your device becomes a remote control — you keep using it normally, and whatever appears on it shows up on the big screen a fraction of a second later. The Chromecast device itself does the work of receiving the signal and displaying it, so you do not need to plug anything in or install software on your TV.

Screencasting is different from casting a single app or video. When you cast Netflix, only Netflix appears on the TV and you control it from your phone. When you screencast, your entire screen mirrors over — notifications, browser tabs, text messages, everything. It is useful for presentations, showing someone a photo album, playing mobile games on a bigger display, or troubleshooting something on your device with someone else watching.

Key Takeaways

Screencasting requires your phone or computer and Chromecast to be on the same Wi-Fi network, and the TV to be powered on and set to the Chromecast input.
On Android phones, open Control Center, tap Cast, select your Chromecast, and choose "Cast screen" — the option name varies slightly by Android version.
On iPhones and iPads, use the Control Center screen mirroring button, select your Chromecast from the list, and enter the PIN that appears on your TV if prompted.
On Windows and Mac computers, the process differs: Windows uses the Project app or Settings, while Mac requires AirPlay or a third-party tool since Apple does not natively support Chromecast mirroring.
If your screencast lags, cuts out, or will not start, the most common fixes are moving closer to the router, restarting both devices, and checking that both are truly on the same network.

Screencasting from an Android phone or tablet

Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top of your screen twice (on most Android devices). Look for a button labeled Cast, Screen cast, or Smart View — the exact name depends on your phone brand and Android version. Tap it.

Your phone will search for nearby Chromecast devices. When your Chromecast appears in the list, tap it. Your screen will go blank for a moment, then your phone's display will appear on the TV. From that point on, everything you do on your phone shows on the TV — opening apps, typing, scrolling, all of it. To stop screencasting, open Control Center again and tap the Cast button, then select "Stop casting" or tap the Chromecast name again.

If you do not see a Cast button in Control Center, swipe to see more options — it may be on a second page. On some Samsung phones, the button is called Smart View and lives in the Quick Settings panel instead. If it is not there at all, go to Settings, search for "cast" or "screen mirroring", and turn it on.

Screencasting from an iPhone or iPad

Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it.

A list of available devices will appear. Find your Chromecast and tap it. If your Chromecast asks for a PIN (a four-digit code that appears on your TV), type it into your iPhone or iPad. Your screen will then appear on the TV. Everything you do — opening Safari, scrolling through Photos, typing in Notes — will show on the big screen.

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. Your iPhone or iPad screen will no longer appear on the TV, though any apps you had open will stay running on your device.

Screencasting from a Windows computer

Windows has two ways to screencast to Chromecast. The first is the Project app, which is built into Windows 10 and later. Press the Windows key and type "project", then open the Project app. Click Connect to a wireless display. Your computer will search for Chromecast devices. When yours appears, click it. Your screen will mirror to the TV.

The second way is through Settings. Press Windows key + I to open Settings, go to System, then Display, scroll down to Multiple displays, and click Connect to a wireless display. The process is the same from there.

If neither option finds your Chromecast, make sure your computer and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. Some older versions of Windows or certain network setups may have trouble — if that happens, restart both your computer and Chromecast, wait 30 seconds, and try again.

Screencasting from a Mac computer

Apple does not natively support Chromecast mirroring the way it supports AirPlay. If you have an Apple TV, you can use AirPlay instead. If you only have Chromecast, you will need a third-party tool.

Streamer for Chromecast and Google Cast for Mac are two options available on the Mac App Store. read one, open it, and it will walk you through connecting to your Chromecast. The process varies slightly by app, but all of them work the same way: they send your Mac screen to Chromecast the same way a Windows computer does.

Alternatively, if you have a second device — an Android phone, Windows computer, or Chromebook — you can screencast from that instead and leave your Mac out of it.

Making sure your devices are on the same network

Screencasting only works when your phone, computer, and Chromecast are all connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is the most common reason screencasting fails to start.

Check your phone or computer's Wi-Fi settings and note which network you are connected to. Then check your Chromecast. On the TV, the Chromecast home screen usually shows the network name at the bottom. If it says "Not connected" or shows a different network name, your Chromecast is not on the same network. Go to Chromecast settings (usually by pressing the button on the device or using the Google Home app on your phone), select your Wi-Fi network, enter the password, and wait for it to connect.

If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, some Chromecast models prefer one over the other. If screencasting is slow or unstable, try connecting your phone or computer to the other frequency band and see if it improves.

Fixing lag, disconnects, and connection problems

If your screencast is choppy, freezes, or keeps dropping, the issue is almost always Wi-Fi signal strength or interference. Move your phone or computer closer to your router. If your Chromecast is far from the router, move it closer too, or consider a Wi-Fi extender if that is not practical.

Restart both devices: unplug your Chromecast for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot. At the same time, restart your phone or computer. Once both are back online and on the same network, try screencasting again.

If screencasting still will not start, forget the Wi-Fi network on your phone or computer and reconnect to it. This forces your device to re-authenticate and sometimes clears up connection issues. On Android, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, long-press the network name, and select "Forget". On iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the info icon next to the network, and select "Forget This Network". On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, find your network, and click "Forget".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I screencast while using other apps on my phone?

Yes. Your phone screen is being sent to the TV, so whatever you do on your phone appears on the TV. You can open different apps, answer texts, check email — it all shows on the big screen. If you want privacy, stop the screencast first.

Will screencasting drain my phone battery faster?

Yes, screencasting uses more power than normal because your phone is constantly sending data to the Chromecast. If you are screencasting for a long time, plug your phone in or keep it plugged in while you do it.

Can I screencast video or games without lag?

Screencasting adds a small delay — usually under half a second — which is fine for photos, presentations, and web browsing. For fast-paced games or video playback, casting the app itself (not the whole screen) usually works better because the Chromecast handles the video directly instead of receiving it from your phone.

What if my Chromecast keeps asking for a PIN?

A PIN appears on your TV when you first try to screencast to a Chromecast that has guest mode on or that you have not used before. Type the four-digit code shown on the TV into your phone or computer. Once you do, that device is trusted and will not need the PIN again.

Can I screencast to multiple Chromecast devices at once?

No. You can only screencast to one Chromecast at a time from a single device. If you want to send your screen to multiple TVs, you would need to screencast to one, stop, then screencast to the next.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.