What Chromecast does and how to start using it
Google Chromecast is a small device that plugs into your TV's HDMI port and connects to your home WiFi network. Once set up, you can send video, music, photos, and web pages from your phone, tablet, or computer directly to your TV screen. You control what plays on the TV from your device — the Chromecast itself has no remote.
The basic flow is straightforward: plug in the device, connect it to WiFi using the Google Home app, then use any app on your phone (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Chrome browser) to send content to the TV. The Chromecast receives the signal and displays it. Your phone becomes the remote control.
Chromecast works with Android phones, iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, Windows computers, and Chromebooks. You do not need a cable subscription or special account beyond what you already use for each app.
Key Takeaways
- Plug the Chromecast into an HDMI port on your TV, connect it to power, and use the Google Home app on your phone to connect it to your WiFi network.
- Once set up, open any compatible app (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Photos, Chrome browser) and tap the Cast button to send content to your TV.
- Your phone controls playback — you can pause, rewind, adjust volume, and switch apps directly from your device.
- Chromecast works over WiFi, so your phone does not need to stay connected to the TV once casting begins.
- If casting fails, restart both the Chromecast and your phone's WiFi connection, and make sure both devices are on the same network.
Setting up Chromecast for the first time
Plug the Chromecast into an available HDMI port on your TV. The HDMI port is usually on the back or side of the TV and looks like a flat rectangular slot. If your TV does not have a spare HDMI port, you can use an HDMI splitter (a small adapter that lets you plug two devices into one port). Plug the power cable into the Chromecast and into a wall outlet or USB port near your TV.
Turn on your TV and switch to the HDMI input where you plugged in the Chromecast. You should see a setup screen appear on the TV. On your phone or tablet, read the Google Home app (free, available on iPhone and Android). Open the app and tap the plus sign (+) in the top left corner, then select "Set up device" and choose "Set up a new device." The app will search for your Chromecast.
When the app finds your Chromecast, select it from the list. The TV will display a four-digit code — enter this code in the Google Home app to confirm you are setting up the right device. Then select your home WiFi network and enter your WiFi password. The Chromecast will connect to the network. This takes about one to two minutes. Once the setup screen disappears and your TV shows the Chromecast home screen (a rotating display of photos or colors), the device is ready to use.
Casting video, music, and photos from your phone
Open any app that supports Chromecast — YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, Google Photos, and Plex are common examples. Look for the Cast icon, which looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the bottom left corner. Tap it. A list of available Chromecast devices will appear. Select your Chromecast by name.
The content will begin playing on your TV within a few seconds. Your phone screen will show what is playing and give you playback controls: play, pause, rewind, fast-forward, and volume. You can lock your phone or switch to another app — the content will keep playing on the TV. To stop casting, tap the Cast icon again and select "Stop casting."
Not every app has a Cast button. If you do not see one, the app does not support Chromecast. However, you can cast your entire phone screen or computer screen to the TV as a workaround (see the section below on screen mirroring).
Casting from your computer or laptop
On a Windows or Mac computer, open Google Chrome browser. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select "Cast." A window will open showing available Chromecast devices. Select your Chromecast. The current browser tab will appear on your TV.
You can cast a single tab (just that website) or your entire screen. To cast a tab, select "Cast to" and choose "Cast tab." To cast your whole screen, select "Cast to" and choose "Cast entire screen." Your computer keyboard and mouse control what happens on the TV. Close the Cast window or press Escape to stop casting.
This method works for any website, video, or content visible in Chrome. If you want to cast video from a website that does not have a Cast button in the app, opening it in Chrome and casting the tab is the way to do it.
Screen mirroring: showing everything on your phone or computer
If an app does not have a Cast button, you can mirror your entire phone or computer screen to the TV. This shows everything on your device — apps, web pages, photos, text messages — exactly as it appears on your phone or computer screen.
On an Android phone, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings. Look for "Cast" or "Screen cast" and tap it. Select your Chromecast. Your entire phone screen will appear on the TV. To stop, tap the notification that says casting is active and select "Stop."
On an iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center. Tap "Screen Mirroring," then select your Chromecast. Your iOS screen will appear on the TV. To stop, open Control Center again, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select "Stop Mirroring."
Screen mirroring uses more WiFi bandwidth than casting a single app, so the connection may be slower or less stable if your WiFi signal is weak. For watching video or listening to music, casting the app itself (when available) is usually better than mirroring your whole screen.
Troubleshooting common casting problems
If the Cast button does not appear in an app, the app may not support Chromecast. Check the app's settings or help page to confirm. If you see the Cast button but your Chromecast does not appear in the list, make sure your phone and Chromecast are on the same WiFi network. Check your phone's WiFi settings and your Chromecast's network status in the Google Home app.
If casting starts but stops after a few seconds, or if the video is choppy or freezes, your WiFi signal may be weak. Move your phone closer to the router, or move the Chromecast closer to the router. Restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Restart the Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.
If the Chromecast is not responding at all, unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to restart. This usually takes about one minute. If problems continue, open the Google Home app, find your Chromecast in the device list, tap the three dots next to it, and select "Restart device." If the device still will not work, you may need to set it up again from the beginning.
Controlling volume and switching between apps while casting
When you are casting, your phone controls the volume. In most apps, you can use the volume buttons on your phone to adjust the TV volume, or tap the volume slider in the app itself. Some apps also let you adjust volume through your phone's system volume settings.
You can switch between apps while casting. If you are watching YouTube and want to play music from Spotify instead, open Spotify, tap the Cast icon, and select the same Chromecast. YouTube will stop and Spotify will begin playing on the TV. Only one app can cast to a Chromecast at a time.
If multiple people in your home want to cast to the same Chromecast, they can take turns. The person casting controls what plays. If you want to prevent others from casting to your Chromecast, you can set up a PIN in the Google Home app under the Chromecast's settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Google account to use Chromecast?
You need a Google account to set up Chromecast using the Google Home app. However, once it is set up, anyone on your WiFi network can cast to it without a Google account. If you want to restrict who can cast, you can set a PIN in the Chromecast settings.
Can I use Chromecast without WiFi?
No, Chromecast requires a WiFi connection to work. It connects to your home network and receives content from your phone or computer over WiFi. If your WiFi is down, Chromecast will not function.
What if my TV does not have an HDMI port?
Older TVs without HDMI ports cannot use Chromecast directly. However, you can use an HDMI-to-composite converter (a small adapter) if your TV has composite ports (the red, white, and yellow connectors). These converters are inexpensive but may reduce picture quality.
Can I cast to multiple TVs at the same time?
No, you can only cast to one Chromecast device at a time from a single phone or computer. If you have Chromecast devices in multiple rooms, you can cast to a different device in a different room, but not to two devices simultaneously from one phone.
Why does casting stop when I lock my phone?
Casting should continue even when your phone is locked. If it stops, check that your phone's WiFi is still connected and that the app has permission to run in the background. Some apps have settings that pause playback when the screen locks — check the app's settings to change this.