The fastest way to send YouTube from your phone to your TV

The simplest method is casting, which sends video from your phone directly to your TV without needing cables. On most Android phones and iPhones, you tap the cast icon (a rectangle with a curved line in the corner) inside the YouTube app, then select your TV from the list. Your TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone. The video plays on your TV while you control it from your phone.

If you do not see a cast icon in YouTube, your TV may not support casting, or you may need to turn on casting in your TV's settings. Roku, Google TV, Samsung Smart TV, and LG Smart TV all support casting. Older TVs without built-in casting can use a streaming device — a small box that plugs into an HDMI port — such as Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, or Roku Streaming Stick.

A second option is connecting with an HDMI cable if your phone has an HDMI port or an adapter. This works on any TV with an HDMI input, but most phones require a separate adapter, and you lose the ability to use your phone while the video plays.

Key Takeaways

  • Casting through the YouTube app is the easiest method and works on most modern smart TVs when both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • If your TV does not have built-in casting, a streaming device like Google Chromecast or Roku plugs into your TV's HDMI port and enables casting.
  • HDMI cable connection works on any TV but requires an adapter for most phones and ties up your phone during playback.
  • Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work; check your router settings if they are not connecting.

How to cast YouTube using the built-in cast button

Open the YouTube app on your phone and find the video you want to watch. Tap the cast icon in the top right corner of the screen — it looks like a small rectangle with a curved line. A menu appears showing all available devices on your Wi-Fi network.

Select your TV from the list. YouTube begins playing on your TV, and your phone becomes the remote. You can pause, rewind, adjust volume, and skip forward using your phone's screen. The video continues playing even if you lock your phone or open another app, though some phones may interrupt playback if the screen locks for too long.

To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Disconnect" or "Stop Casting." The video stops on your TV, and you can resume watching on your phone if you want.

Setting up a streaming device if your TV does not have casting

If you do not see a cast option in YouTube, your TV likely does not have built-in casting. You can add casting by plugging a streaming device into your TV's HDMI port. Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, and Roku Streaming Stick all support YouTube casting and cost between $25 and $50.

After plugging in the device, follow the setup instructions on your TV screen. You will connect the device to your Wi-Fi network and sign into your Google account (for Chromecast) or Amazon account (for Fire Stick). Once set up, casting works the same way: open YouTube on your phone, tap cast, and select the device.

Streaming devices also let you use other apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ on your TV, so they serve multiple purposes beyond YouTube casting.

Connecting with an HDMI cable instead of casting

If casting is not working or you prefer a wired connection, you can plug your phone directly into your TV using an HDMI cable and an adapter. Most Android phones use USB-C to HDMI adapters, while iPhones use Lightning to HDMI adapters. Both adapters cost $15 to $30 and are available at electronics retailers.

Plug the adapter into your phone's charging port, connect the HDMI cable to the adapter, and plug the other end into an available HDMI port on your TV. Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input using the remote. YouTube should appear on your TV screen, and you control it from your phone.

The drawback is that your phone stays connected to the cable, so you cannot move around or use your phone for other tasks while watching. The cable also drains your phone's battery faster than casting does.

Troubleshooting when cast is not appearing

If the cast icon does not show up in YouTube, first check that your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm you are connected to the same network name as your TV. If they are on different networks, connect your phone to the TV's network.

Restart both your phone and TV. Turn off your phone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same for your TV. Then open YouTube again and look for the cast icon.

If the cast icon still does not appear, check your TV's settings to make sure casting is turned on. On Google TV and Android TV, go to Settings, then look for "Cast" or "Chromecast" and make sure it is enabled. On Roku, go to Settings, then System, then make sure Roku OS is up to date. Older TV models may not support casting at all, in which case a streaming device is your best option.

Using YouTube's remote pairing feature

Some smart TVs let you pair your phone as a remote for YouTube without casting. On Samsung and LG TVs, open YouTube on your TV, then open YouTube on your phone. Tap your profile icon, then Settings, then look for "Remote pairing" or "Link with TV." Follow the on-screen code to connect your phone to your TV.

Once paired, your phone acts as a dedicated remote for YouTube on that TV. This is different from casting because the video plays on your TV's YouTube app rather than being sent from your phone. The advantage is that you can turn off your phone and the video keeps playing, and the connection is sometimes more stable than casting.

What to do if your TV does not support any of these methods

If your TV is older and does not have casting, HDMI input, or smart TV features, a streaming device is your only option. Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, and Roku all plug into the HDMI port on the back of your TV and add casting support. They are inexpensive and set up in under 10 minutes.

Alternatively, you can replace your TV with a newer model that has built-in casting, but that is a much larger expense. For most people with older TVs, a $30 streaming device is the practical choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a YouTube TV subscription to cast YouTube to my TV?

No. Regular YouTube casting works with a free YouTube account. YouTube TV is a separate paid service that includes live TV channels, and it also supports casting, but you do not need it to watch regular YouTube videos on your TV.

Can I cast YouTube if my phone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks?

No. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work. If your TV is on a guest network and your phone is on the main network, move your phone to the same network as your TV.

What happens to my phone when I cast YouTube to my TV?

Your phone acts as a remote control. You can lock the screen, open other apps, or move around the house and the video keeps playing on your TV. However, if your phone's battery dies or you lose Wi-Fi connection, the video stops.

Is HDMI cable connection better than casting?

Casting is usually better because it is wireless and your phone stays free to use. HDMI cable is more reliable if your Wi-Fi is weak, but it ties up your phone and drains the battery faster. Use HDMI only if casting is not working.

Can I cast from multiple phones to the same TV at the same time?

No. Only one phone can cast to a TV at a time. If a second phone tries to cast, it takes over and stops the first video. You have to disconnect one phone before the other can cast.