Casting from iPhone to Chromecast requires the Google Home app and a compatible casting app
You cannot cast directly from iPhone's built-in screen mirroring to Chromecast the way you can with AirPlay. Instead, you use the Google Home app to set up your Chromecast, then use individual apps—like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or Google Photos—that have a built-in cast button. When you tap that button inside the app, you choose your Chromecast device, and the content streams directly from the internet to your TV, not through your phone.
This means your iPhone does not need to stay on the same screen or even stay awake while content plays. The Chromecast pulls the video or music directly, so you can close the app, lock your phone, or switch to something else without interrupting playback.
Key Takeaways
- read the Google Home app on your iPhone and sign in with the same Google account you use on your Chromecast device.
- Most streaming apps (YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Disney+) have a cast button built in—look for a rectangle with a corner triangle icon.
- Your iPhone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
- Once you cast, the content plays on your TV directly; you can lock your phone or switch apps without stopping playback.
- If the cast button does not appear, the app may not support Chromecast, or your devices may not be on the same network.
Set up Google Home and connect your Chromecast
Before you can cast anything, your Chromecast must be set up and connected to Wi-Fi. Open the Google Home app on your iPhone (read it free from the App Store if you do not have it). Sign in with your Google account—use the same account on every device you want to cast from.
Tap the + button in the top left corner, then select Set up device. Choose Set up a new device and follow the on-screen steps to connect your Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network. The app will ask you to select your home Wi-Fi, enter the password, and give the device a name (like "Living Room TV"). Once setup is complete, your Chromecast appears in the Google Home app and is ready to receive casts from any app on your iPhone that supports it.
If your Chromecast is already set up on another device, you do not need to set it up again. Just sign into the Google Home app with the same Google account, and your existing Chromecast will appear automatically.
Find and use the cast button in your apps
Open any app that supports Chromecast—YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Google Photos, Disney+, and many others all have cast built in. Look for a small icon that looks like a rectangle with a corner triangle (it resembles a TV screen with a signal). This is the cast button, and it usually appears in the top or bottom right corner of the app.
Tap the cast button. A menu appears showing all Chromecast devices on your Wi-Fi network. Select the device you want to cast to—for example, "Living Room TV." The app connects to your Chromecast, and within a few seconds, the content appears on your television. The cast button now shows a filled-in icon to indicate an active connection.
If you do not see a cast button in an app you want to use, that app does not support Chromecast. Some apps, like Apple TV+ or certain games, only work with AirPlay, not Chromecast. Check the app's help section or settings to confirm whether Chromecast is supported.
Make sure your iPhone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network
Casting only works when both devices connect to the same Wi-Fi network. If your iPhone is on your home Wi-Fi and your Chromecast is on a guest network, or if one device is on 5 GHz and the other is on 2.4 GHz (and they are separate networks), casting will fail.
Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings by opening Settings > Wi-Fi and confirming which network you are connected to. Then open the Google Home app, tap the device you want to cast to, and look at the network listed under the device name. If the networks do not match, reconnect your iPhone to the same network as your Chromecast, or reconnect your Chromecast to match your iPhone's network using the Google Home app.
Control playback and stop casting
Once content is casting, you can control it from your iPhone without opening the app again. Open the Google Home app, tap the device you are casting to, and you will see playback controls—play, pause, volume, and a progress bar. Use these controls to adjust the video or music on your TV without touching the original app.
To stop casting, tap the cast button in the app again and select Stop casting, or open the Google Home app, tap the device, and tap Disconnect. The content stops on your TV, and your iPhone is no longer connected to the Chromecast.
Common reasons casting does not work
The cast button does not appear: The app may not support Chromecast, or you may not be signed into your Google account in the Google Home app. Try signing out and back in, or restart the app. If the button still does not show, the app does not have Chromecast support.
The cast button appears but nothing happens when you tap it: Your devices are likely not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and reconnect to the same network as your Chromecast. Restart both devices if the problem persists.
Casting starts but stops after a few seconds: Your Wi-Fi connection may be weak or unstable. Move your iPhone and Chromecast closer to your router, or restart your router. If you are far from the router, the connection may drop during playback.
Your Chromecast does not appear in the cast menu: Make sure the Chromecast is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. Open the Google Home app and check that the device is listed and online. If it is not, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.
Casting music and photos from your iPhone
Casting works the same way for music and photos as it does for video. Open Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, or any supported music app, find a song or playlist, tap the cast button, and select your Chromecast. The music plays on your TV's speakers while your iPhone screen is free to use for other tasks.
For photos, open Google Photos, select an image or album, tap the cast button, and choose your device. Your photos display on your TV in a slideshow. You can also cast photos from other apps that support Chromecast, like Flickr or Amazon Photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cast if my iPhone is not on Wi-Fi?
No. Your iPhone must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast for casting to work. Cellular data alone is not enough. Both devices need to communicate over the same local network.
Do I need to keep my iPhone screen on while casting?
No. Once you cast, the content plays directly on your Chromecast from the internet. You can lock your iPhone, switch apps, or even close the casting app without interrupting playback on your TV.
Why does the cast button not show up in some apps?
Not all apps support Chromecast. Apps like Apple TV+, Disney+, and some games only work with AirPlay. Check the app's settings or help section to see if Chromecast is supported. If it is not listed, the app does not have that feature.
Can I cast from multiple iPhones to the same Chromecast?
Yes. As long as each iPhone is signed into the Google Home app with a Google account and is on the same Wi-Fi network, any of them can cast to the same Chromecast. Only one cast session can play at a time, so the most recent cast takes over.
What should I do if casting keeps disconnecting?
Weak Wi-Fi is usually the cause. Move closer to your router, restart your router, or check that your Chromecast has a strong signal. You can also restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds. If the problem continues, restart your iPhone and try again.