Screen sharing to Chromecast works through your phone, tablet, or computer's built-in cast feature

To share your screen to Chromecast, open the device you want to cast from—phone, tablet, or computer—and look for a Cast button or menu option. On Android phones and tablets, swipe down from the top twice to open Quick Settings, then tap Cast. On iPhones and iPads, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, then tap Screen Mirroring. On Windows or Mac computers, use the built-in casting feature in your system settings or through individual apps. Select your Chromecast device from the list, and your screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds.

The process is the same whether you're sharing a single app, your entire screen, or a presentation. Your phone, tablet, or computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device for this to work. Once you start casting, you can continue using your device normally—the screen will stay mirrored on the TV until you stop the cast.

Key Takeaways

  • Android devices use the Cast button in Quick Settings, while iPhones use Screen Mirroring in Control Center.
  • Your phone, tablet, or computer and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network to cast.
  • You can cast your entire screen or just a single app, depending on what you're trying to show.
  • Casting stops automatically when you disconnect, and your device remains usable while the screen is mirrored.

Casting from an Android phone or tablet

On Android, the Cast button lives in your Quick Settings menu. Swipe down from the top of your screen once to see your notifications, then swipe down again to expand Quick Settings fully. Look for a button labeled Cast, Screen Cast, or sometimes just a rectangle with curved lines (the cast icon). Tap it, and a list of available Chromecast devices will appear within a second or two.

Select your Chromecast from the list. Your entire screen will begin mirroring to the TV when ready. You'll see a small notification at the top of your phone showing that casting is active. To stop casting, swipe down to Quick Settings again, tap Cast, and select Disconnect or Stop Casting.

Casting from an iPhone or iPad

iPhones and iPads use a feature called Screen Mirroring instead of Cast. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. Scroll down if needed to find Screen Mirroring, then tap it. A list of available Chromecast devices will appear—they may be labeled as Chromecast or by a custom name you gave them during setup.

Tap your Chromecast device, and your screen will mirror to the TV. A blue bar will appear at the top of your iPhone or iPad to show that mirroring is active. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

Casting from a Windows computer

On Windows 10 or later, open the Action Center by pressing Windows key + A, or click the notification icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen. Look for a button called Cast or Project. Click it, then select your Chromecast device from the list that appears. Your screen will begin mirroring to the TV.

Alternatively, you can right-click on your desktop, select Display Settings, scroll down to the Advanced Display section, and look for a Cast to a Device option. This method gives you more control over how your screen is displayed—you can choose to extend your display, duplicate it, or use the TV as a second monitor. To stop casting, click the Cast button again and select Disconnect.

Casting from a Mac computer

On a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar (it looks like a rectangle with sliders). Look for Screen Mirroring in the menu. Click it, and a list of available Chromecast devices will appear. Select your Chromecast, and your Mac screen will mirror to the TV.

If you don't see Screen Mirroring in Control Center, you may need to add it first. Click the Control Center icon, then click the pencil or edit icon at the bottom. Find Screen Mirroring in the list and click the plus sign to add it. To stop mirroring, click Control Center, then Screen Mirroring, and select Turn Off Screen Mirroring.

Troubleshooting common casting problems

If your device doesn't see your Chromecast, the most common reason is that they're not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both your phone, tablet, or computer and your Chromecast are connected to the same network. Restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Also restart your phone, tablet, or computer.

If casting starts but the picture is choppy or keeps disconnecting, move your device closer to your Wi-Fi router or Chromecast. Thick walls and distance can weaken the signal. If you're casting video or playing a game, a weak connection will cause lag. Close other apps that might be using your Wi-Fi bandwidth, such as video streaming apps or large downloads. If the problem persists, forget the Wi-Fi network on your device and reconnect to it fresh.

Some apps don't support casting—you'll know because the Cast button won't appear when you open them. In this case, you can still cast your entire screen instead, which will show everything on your device's display on the TV, though it may be slower than casting the app directly.

What you can and cannot do while casting

While your screen is cast to Chromecast, you can use your phone, tablet, or computer normally. You can open other apps, answer calls, or check messages without interrupting the cast. The TV will show whatever is on your device's screen at that moment. If you switch to a different app, the TV will show that app instead.

One limitation: if you're casting video from certain apps like Netflix or YouTube, the video quality may be lower than if you cast the app directly through its built-in Cast button. Some apps have their own Cast feature that works better than screen mirroring. Check the app's menu for a Cast or Send To option before using screen mirroring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do my phone and Chromecast need to be on the same Wi-Fi network?

Yes. Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work. If you're on a guest network or a different network, casting won't find your Chromecast. Check your Wi-Fi settings to confirm you're on the same network as your Chromecast.

Can I cast while using my phone for other things?

Yes. Once you start casting, your phone, tablet, or computer remains fully usable. You can open other apps, take calls, or send messages without stopping the cast. Whatever appears on your device's screen will show on the TV.

Why does my Chromecast not appear in the Cast list?

The most common reason is that your device and Chromecast are on different Wi-Fi networks. Confirm both are connected to the same network. If they are, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then restart your phone or computer and try again.

Can I cast from my work computer or school network?

Many work and school networks block casting because of security settings. If Cast doesn't appear or your Chromecast doesn't show up, your network may not support it. Try casting on a personal Wi-Fi network to confirm your device and Chromecast work together.

What's the difference between casting an app and casting my whole screen?

Casting an app directly (through Netflix's Cast button, for example) usually gives better quality and faster performance. Casting your whole screen shows everything on your device on the TV, but may be slower. Use app casting when available, and whole-screen casting when the app doesn't have its own Cast feature.