Streaming to Fire TV means sending video or audio from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV through your Fire device

Fire TV devices support two main ways to send content from another device: screen mirroring (which duplicates everything on your phone or computer screen) and casting (which sends specific apps or videos to your TV while you control them from your phone). Screen mirroring works with most phones and computers. Casting works only with apps that support it—Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and many others have built-in cast buttons, but not every app does.

The method you use depends on what device you're sending from and what you want to watch. If you want to show your entire phone screen, use mirroring. If you want to play a specific video or song while keeping your phone free to do other things, use casting.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen mirroring duplicates your entire phone or computer screen on your TV and works with most devices, though setup varies by phone type.
  • Casting sends specific apps or videos to your TV and lets you control playback from your phone while the screen stays on your device.
  • Your Fire TV and the device you're streaming from must be on the same Wi-Fi network for either method to work.
  • Most popular streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify have built-in cast buttons, but not all apps support casting.
  • If mirroring or casting does not work, restart both your Fire TV and your phone, then check that both are still connected to the same network.

How to mirror your Android phone or tablet to Fire TV

Open the Control Center or Quick Settings on your Android device (swipe down from the top of the screen twice, or once depending on your phone model). Look for a button labeled Cast, Screen Cast, Smart View, or Wireless Display—the exact name depends on your phone brand. Tap it.

Your phone will search for nearby devices. When your Fire TV appears in the list, tap it. Your phone screen will now display on your TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again and tap the cast button, then select Disconnect.

If your phone does not show a cast option in Quick Settings, go to Settings > Connected Devices (or Display) and look for Cast or Screen Mirroring there. Some older Android phones may not support mirroring at all.

How to mirror your iPhone or iPad to Fire TV

iPhones and iPads do not have native screen mirroring to Fire TV—Apple's AirPlay system is designed for Apple TV devices. However, you can use a workaround: read the AirReceiver app on your Fire TV (search for it in the Fire TV app store), then use your iPhone's Control Center to AirPlay to it. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Fire TV from the list.

AirReceiver costs a small one-time fee. If you do not want to pay, your other option is to use casting instead: open Netflix, YouTube, or another app that supports casting, tap the cast icon, and select your Fire TV. This sends only that app's content, not your entire screen.

How to cast from apps on any phone

Open an app that supports casting—Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Disney+, Hulu, and most major streaming services have cast buttons built in. Look for a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner, usually in the top-right or bottom-right of the screen. Tap it.

A list of nearby devices will appear. Select your Fire TV. The video or music will now play on your TV, and you can control it from your phone—pause, skip, adjust volume, or even lock your phone and the content keeps playing. To stop casting, tap the cast button again and select Disconnect.

If an app does not have a visible cast button, it does not support casting to Fire TV. In that case, use screen mirroring instead.

How to mirror your Windows or Mac computer to Fire TV

On a Windows 10 or 11 computer, open the Action Center (click the icon in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar that looks like a speech bubble or sun). Click Connect or Project. Select Connect to a wireless display. Your Fire TV will appear in the list—click it to begin mirroring.

On a Mac, open System Preferences > Displays and look for an AirPlay Display dropdown menu. If your Fire TV does not appear, read the AirReceiver app on your Fire TV first (the same workaround as with iPhones). Once installed, your Mac should detect it as an AirPlay option.

Computer mirroring works best for presentations or showing photos. For streaming video, casting from the app itself (if the app supports it) usually gives better performance.

What to do if mirroring or casting is not working

First, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your Fire TV's settings and confirm the network name. On your phone or computer, check that you are connected to the exact same network—not a guest network or a different band (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz).

Restart both devices. Unplug your Fire TV for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Restart your phone or computer normally. Once both are back online and reconnected to the same network, try mirroring or casting again.

If the problem persists, move your phone or computer closer to your Fire TV and router—walls and distance can weaken the Wi-Fi signal. If you are still having trouble, check that your Fire TV software is up to date: go to Settings > System > About > Check for Updates.

Casting vs. mirroring: which one to use

Use screen mirroring when you want to show your entire phone or computer screen—for example, if you are giving a presentation, showing photos, or using an app that does not have a cast button. Mirroring duplicates everything, so your notifications and messages will also appear on the TV.

Use casting when you want to play a specific video, song, or app on your TV while keeping your phone free. Casting uses less battery and Wi-Fi bandwidth than mirroring, and your personal notifications stay private on your phone. Most streaming apps have cast buttons, so casting is usually the faster choice if it is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast to Fire TV if my phone is not on Wi-Fi?

No. Both your phone and Fire TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If your phone is using cellular data instead, casting and mirroring will not work. Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as your Fire TV first.

Does casting use a lot of data?

Casting uses your home Wi-Fi, not your phone's cellular data, so it does not count against a mobile data plan. However, if you are streaming video over Wi-Fi, the video itself uses bandwidth from your internet connection—the same as if you were watching on your TV directly.

Can I use my phone while casting?

Yes. When you cast, your phone controls the playback but the screen stays on your phone. You can lock it, switch apps, or use it for other things while the video plays on your TV. With screen mirroring, your entire screen is duplicated, so anything you do on your phone appears on the TV.

Why does my Fire TV not appear in the cast list?

Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your Fire TV is powered on. If it still does not appear, restart your Fire TV and your phone, then try again. If your Fire TV is on a 5 GHz network and your phone is on 2.4 GHz, they may not see each other—check your router settings to confirm both devices are on the same band.

Can I cast from a web browser?

Some web browsers, like Google Chrome, have built-in casting. Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, select Cast, and choose your Fire TV. However, not all websites support casting, and some may require you to use the app instead of the browser version.