Casting Disney Plus to a Chromecast device takes three steps: make sure your phone or tablet is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast, open the Disney Plus app, and tap the cast icon to send the video to your TV.

The cast icon looks like a small rectangle with curved lines in the bottom left corner — it appears in the top right of the Disney Plus app once you start playing something. Tap it, select your Chromecast device from the list, and the video moves to your TV while you keep control on your phone.

This works on phones and tablets running Android or iOS, and on any Chromecast device (including Chromecast with Google TV, older Chromecast models, and Chromecast built into some smart TVs). The video streams directly from Disney Plus to your Chromecast — your phone becomes a remote, not the source.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone, tablet, and Chromecast must all be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • The cast icon appears in the top right corner of the Disney Plus app once you start playing a video.
  • Casting works on Android and iOS devices with any Chromecast model, including Chromecast with Google TV.
  • Your phone stays connected to the network while casting — you can lock it, switch apps, or even leave the room without stopping playback.
  • If the cast icon does not appear, restart both your phone and Chromecast, then check that they are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Check your Wi-Fi network before you start

Both your phone (or tablet) and your Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and note which network you are connected to. Then check your Chromecast — if you set it up recently, it should already be on your home network. If you are not sure, go to your Chromecast settings through the Google Home app to confirm which network it is using.

If your phone and Chromecast are on different networks — for example, if your phone is on a guest network — casting will not work. Switch your phone to the same network as your Chromecast and try again. Some routers broadcast a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band with the same name; either band works, but both devices perform better when they are on the same one.

Open Disney Plus and start playing a video

Launch the Disney Plus app on your phone or tablet. Search for or navigate to the movie or show you want to watch. Tap the play button to start the video — do not just select the title, actually start playback.

Once video is playing, look at the top right corner of the screen. You should see the cast icon (a small rectangle with curved lines). If you do not see it, the app may not have fully loaded — wait a few seconds and check again. The icon only appears once playback has started.

Tap the cast icon and select your device

Tap the cast icon in the top right corner. A menu will appear showing all available Chromecast devices on your network. Select the Chromecast you want to use — it will be listed by the name you gave it during setup (for example, "Living Room" or "Bedroom TV").

The video will pause briefly on your phone, then resume on your TV. Your phone screen will show a smaller version of what is playing on the TV, along with playback controls. You can now use your phone as a remote: pause, play, skip forward or backward, adjust volume, and change subtitles or audio language.

Control playback from your phone

While casting, your phone displays the video thumbnail and all the controls you need. The pause and play buttons work the same way they do when watching on your phone. You can also swipe to skip forward or backward, just as you would normally.

Your phone can lock, go to sleep, or switch to another app without stopping the video on your TV. The Chromecast continues playing independently. If you want to stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting" — the video will stop on your TV, and you can resume it on your phone if you want.

What to do if the cast icon does not appear

If you do not see the cast icon after starting a video, the most common cause is that your phone and Chromecast are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Double-check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and your Chromecast's network in the Google Home app.

If they are on the same network, restart both devices. Close the Disney Plus app completely, turn off your phone's Wi-Fi for 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Unplug your Chromecast for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Open Disney Plus again, start a video, and check for the cast icon.

If the icon still does not appear, make sure you are running the latest version of the Disney Plus app. Open your phone's app store (Google Play on Android, App Store on iOS), search for Disney Plus, and install any available updates. Then try again.

Casting on a TV with built-in Chromecast

Some smart TVs have Chromecast built in — Samsung, LG, Sony, and other brands offer this feature. If your TV has built-in Chromecast, you do not need a separate device. Set up the TV's Chromecast during initial TV setup, or go to the TV's settings menu and look for "Chromecast" or "Google Cast" to enable it.

Once enabled, the built-in Chromecast will appear in the cast menu on your phone just like a standalone device. The process is identical: tap the cast icon in Disney Plus, select your TV, and the video streams directly to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast Disney Plus from my computer to a Chromecast?

Yes. Open Disney Plus in a web browser on your computer, start playing a video, and look for the cast icon (usually in the bottom right corner of the video player). Click it, select your Chromecast, and the video will stream to your TV. Your computer does not need to stay on — once casting starts, the Chromecast plays independently.

What happens if I lose Wi-Fi while casting?

The video will pause on your TV. Once your Wi-Fi reconnects, playback will resume automatically. If the connection is lost for more than a few minutes, you may need to restart the cast from your phone.

Can multiple people cast to the same Chromecast at the same time?

No. Only one device can cast to a Chromecast at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you are already casting, their device will take over and your video will stop. You can then cast again to regain control.

Does casting use a lot of data?

Casting streams video over your Wi-Fi network, so it uses the same amount of data as watching on your phone would. If you are on a metered internet plan, casting does not save or use extra data compared to watching directly on your device.

Why does the video quality look worse on my TV than on my phone?

Your TV may be receiving a lower quality stream if your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move your Chromecast closer to your router, or move your router closer to your TV. You can also check your internet speed — Disney Plus recommends at least 5.5 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K streaming.