Getting Chromecast Connected to Your TV and Network

Chromecast works by plugging a small device into your TV's HDMI port, then connecting it to your home WiFi network. Once it's connected, you can send video, music, photos, and web pages from your phone, tablet, or computer directly to your TV screen. The device itself has no remote — you control it entirely from the device you're casting from.

Start by plugging the Chromecast into an available HDMI port on the back or side of your TV. If your TV doesn't have a spare HDMI port, you may need an HDMI splitter or to unplug another device temporarily. Plug the power cable into the Chromecast and into a wall outlet or USB port. Turn on your TV and switch to the HDMI input where you plugged in the Chromecast — you should see a setup screen appear.

On your phone or tablet, read the Google Home app (available on both Android and iOS). Open the app and tap the plus icon to add a new device. Select "Set up device" and choose "Set up a new device." The app will search for your Chromecast and display it when found. Tap it to begin pairing.

The app will ask you to confirm a code that appears on both your TV screen and in the app — this confirms you're connecting to the right device. After confirming, select your WiFi network from the list and enter your WiFi password. The Chromecast will connect to your network, which usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes. Once connected, you can name your Chromecast (for example, "Living Room TV") and finish setup.

Key Takeaways

  • Plug the Chromecast into an HDMI port on your TV, connect power, and switch your TV to that HDMI input to see the setup screen.
  • Use the Google Home app on your phone or tablet to connect the Chromecast to your WiFi network by confirming a pairing code.
  • Once set up, you cast content from compatible apps on your phone, tablet, or computer by tapping the cast icon within the app.
  • Chromecast works only when your phone and TV are on the same WiFi network, so both must be connected to your home WiFi.
  • You can cast from multiple devices to the same Chromecast, and only one cast session plays at a time.

Casting Video, Music, and Photos from Your Phone

Once Chromecast is set up, casting is straightforward. Open any compatible app — Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Google Photos, or many others — and look for the cast icon, which looks like a rectangle with WiFi waves in the corner. It's usually in the top right or bottom right of the app screen. Tap it and select your Chromecast from the list that appears.

The content will start playing on your TV within a few seconds. Your phone becomes a remote: you can pause, play, skip forward or backward, and adjust volume from your phone screen. The app remains open on your phone while content plays on the TV, but you can also lock your phone or switch to other apps — the cast will keep playing. If you want to stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting."

Not every app supports casting. Common apps that do include YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, Google Photos, Google Play Music, Pandora, and many others. If you don't see a cast icon in an app you want to use, that app doesn't support Chromecast. Some apps require a paid subscription to cast content.

Casting Your Entire Screen or Browser Tab

Beyond casting from individual apps, you can send your entire phone or tablet screen to the TV, or just a single browser tab from your computer. This is useful for showing photos stored locally on your phone, playing games, or displaying a web page on the big screen.

On Android phones and tablets, open the Settings app, go to Display, and look for "Cast" or "Wireless display." Tap it and select your Chromecast. Your entire screen will mirror to the TV. On iPhones and iPads, swipe down from the top right to open Control Center, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select your Chromecast. Note that iPhones and iPads may have limited casting support depending on the app or content.

On a Windows or Mac computer, open Google Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, and select "Cast." Choose your Chromecast and then decide whether to cast your entire screen or just the current browser tab. Casting a tab is faster and uses less bandwidth if you only need to show one website. Casting your entire screen is better if you want to show multiple windows or applications.

Troubleshooting Connection Problems

If your Chromecast isn't appearing in the Google Home app during setup, make sure your phone and the Chromecast are both on the same WiFi network. The Chromecast broadcasts a temporary setup network during the first few minutes — your phone should connect to this network automatically, but if it doesn't, you can manually select it in your phone's WiFi settings. Look for a network name starting with "Chromecast" or "GoogleCast."

If casting stops working after setup, the most common cause is that your phone and TV are on different WiFi networks. Check that both devices are connected to the same network. If they are, restart your Chromecast by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. If that doesn't work, restart your phone and your WiFi router as well.

If the cast icon doesn't appear in an app you're using, that app may not support Chromecast, or you may need to update the app. Check the app store for updates. Some apps also require you to be signed in to your account before casting becomes available. If you're still having trouble, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

If your Chromecast keeps disconnecting from WiFi, move it closer to your router or check whether other devices are using a lot of bandwidth. Chromecast works best when your WiFi signal is strong. If you have a dual-band router (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), try connecting the Chromecast to the 2.4 GHz network, which often has better range.

Controlling Volume and Playback from Your Phone

When you're casting, your phone acts as the remote control. The exact controls depend on what you're casting and which app you're using, but most apps show a playback bar with pause, play, and skip buttons. Volume can usually be controlled from your phone's physical volume buttons or from a volume slider in the app itself.

If you're casting from YouTube, for example, you'll see a progress bar showing how far through the video you are. You can tap anywhere on the bar to jump to that point in the video. For music apps like Spotify, you get play, pause, and skip controls, plus a volume slider. Some apps also let you see what's coming up next or create a queue of songs to play.

If you want to use a physical remote instead of your phone, you can purchase a Chromecast with Google TV, which includes a dedicated remote. The standard Chromecast does not come with a remote and cannot be controlled with a traditional TV remote.

Using Chromecast with Multiple Devices and Users

Multiple people in your household can cast to the same Chromecast from their own phones or tablets. Only one cast session plays at a time — if two people try to cast simultaneously, the second cast will interrupt the first. The person who initiated the second cast takes control of what's playing.

If you want to prevent others from casting to your TV without permission, you can set up guest mode in the Google Home app. Open the app, select your Chromecast, tap the settings icon, and look for "Guest mode." When guest mode is on, visitors can cast to your TV by scanning a QR code or entering a PIN, rather than needing to be on your WiFi network.

You can also set up multiple Chromecasts in different rooms and give each one a different name in the Google Home app. When you cast, you'll see a list of all your Chromecasts and can choose which one to send content to. This is useful if you have a Chromecast in the living room, bedroom, and kitchen.

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, but once it's set up, guests can cast to it without a Google account if they're on your WiFi network. If you enable guest mode, visitors can cast without being on your network at all.

Can I cast from my computer to Chromecast?

Yes. On Windows or Mac, open Google Chrome, click the three-dot menu, select "Cast," and choose your Chromecast. You can cast a browser tab or your entire screen. Some apps on your computer may also support casting directly.

What should I do if the cast icon doesn't show up in my app?

Not all apps support Chromecast. Check whether the app is updated to the latest version — older versions sometimes lack casting support. If the app is up to date and still has no cast icon, that app doesn't support Chromecast. Try using a different app or casting your entire screen instead.

Can I use Chromecast without WiFi?

No. Chromecast requires a WiFi connection to work. Both your phone and the Chromecast must be connected to the same WiFi network. If your WiFi is down, Chromecast won't function.

Does Chromecast work with all streaming services?

Most major streaming services support Chromecast, including Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, and Spotify. However, some services and apps do not. Check the app you want to use — if it has a cast icon, it supports Chromecast.