The fastest way to watch Disney Plus on a bigger screen
You can cast Disney Plus to your TV using a Chromecast device, an Apple TV, a Roku, or a Fire TV stick — all of which work with the Disney Plus app. The method depends on what hardware you already own. If you have a smart TV made by Samsung, LG, or Vizio in the last five years, Disney Plus is likely built in and you can sign in directly without any extra device.
The casting process itself takes about 30 seconds once everything is set up: open Disney Plus on your phone or tablet, tap the cast icon, choose your TV, and press play. The video streams from Disney's servers to your TV, not from your phone, so you can use your phone for other things while you watch.
Key Takeaways
- Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV all work with Disney Plus, and most smart TVs have one of these built in.
- You need the Disney Plus app installed on the device connected to your TV, and you must be signed into the same account on both your phone and your TV device.
- Casting works over Wi-Fi, so both your phone and your TV device must be on the same network.
- If your TV is older than five years or lacks built-in casting, a Chromecast or Fire TV stick costs between $25 and $50 and plugs into an HDMI port.
Casting from an iPhone or iPad to a TV
If you have an Apple TV or an AirPlay-compatible smart TV (Samsung, LG, Vizio, and others made after 2018 support AirPlay), open Disney Plus on your iPhone or iPad and tap the AirPlay icon in the top right corner of the video player. A list of available devices appears. Select your TV or Apple TV, and playback moves to the big screen.
Your iPhone or iPad can go to sleep or be used for other things while the video plays on your TV. To stop casting, open the video player again, tap the AirPlay icon, and select your iPhone or iPad from the list.
Casting from an Android phone or tablet to a TV
On Android, the casting button looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner. Open Disney Plus, start playing a title, and tap that icon in the top right. Your phone scans for Chromecast devices, Roku devices, Fire TV sticks, and compatible smart TVs on your network. Select the device you want to use.
Once casting starts, you can lock your phone, switch apps, or set it down — the video continues on your TV. To stop, tap the cast icon again and select "Disconnect" or "Stop Casting."
What to do if the cast button does not appear
The cast button only shows up if your phone and your TV device are on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both are connected to the same network name (SSID). Restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully restart.
If the button still does not appear, restart the Disney Plus app. Close it completely (swipe it away on iPhone, or go to Settings > Apps > Disney Plus > Force Stop on Android), then open it again. If you have just installed Disney Plus or updated it, restart your phone as well.
On older smart TVs or devices, Disney Plus may not be built in. Check your TV's app store or your device's settings to see if Disney Plus is available. If not, you will need a separate device like a Chromecast, Roku, or Fire TV stick.
Setting up a Chromecast or Fire TV stick for the first time
Plug the device into an HDMI port on your TV and into a power outlet. On your phone, open the Google Home app (for Chromecast) or the Alexa app (for Fire TV). Follow the setup wizard to connect the device to your Wi-Fi network and give it a name. Once setup is complete, open Disney Plus, sign in with your account, and you are ready to cast.
For Roku, plug it in, turn on your TV, and select the Roku input. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect to Wi-Fi. Then open the Roku app on your phone or use the physical remote to navigate to the Disney Plus channel in the Roku Channel Store, select it, and sign in.
Signing in to Disney Plus on your TV device
Before you can cast, Disney Plus must be installed and signed in on the device connected to your TV. Open the app on that device (your Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or smart TV), and you will see a sign-in screen with a code. On your phone or computer, go to disneyplus.com/begin, enter that code, and sign in with your Disney Plus account. The app on your TV will automatically sign in.
You only have to do this once. After that, casting works when ready because both devices are already signed into the same account.
Troubleshooting casting problems
If casting starts but the video buffers or stops, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Move your phone closer to your router, or move your TV device closer to the router. If your network is crowded (many devices connected), restart your router and try again.
If the cast button appears but nothing happens when you tap it, force-close the Disney Plus app on your phone and reopen it. If the problem continues, restart your TV device by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Once it restarts, try casting again.
If you see an error message like "Unable to connect," check that you are signed into the same Disney Plus account on both your phone and your TV device. If you recently changed your Disney Plus password, sign out of the app on your TV device and sign back in with the new password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cast Disney Plus from my computer to my TV?
Yes, if you have a Chromecast or a compatible smart TV. Open Disney Plus in Chrome on your computer, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select "Cast," and choose your device. On Mac, you can also use AirPlay if your TV supports it. The process is the same as casting from a phone.
Do I need a paid Disney Plus subscription to cast?
Yes. You must have an active Disney Plus account and be signed in on both your phone (or computer) and your TV device. Casting itself is free — you are only paying for the Disney Plus subscription.
Will casting use a lot of data on my phone plan?
No. When you cast, the video streams directly from Disney's servers to your TV over Wi-Fi. Your phone is only sending a small control signal, so it uses almost no data from your phone plan.
What if my TV is too old to have a built-in app?
Buy a Chromecast (about $30), a Fire TV stick (about $40), or a Roku (prices vary). Plug it into an HDMI port, set it up on your Wi-Fi, and cast Disney Plus the same way you would with any other device.
Can multiple people watch Disney Plus on different TVs at the same time?
It depends on your Disney Plus plan. The Standard plan allows two streams at once; the Premium plan allows four. Each stream can be on a different TV or device, as long as you are signed into the same account.