The fastest way to watch YouTube on your TV
You can send a YouTube video from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV using the Cast button, which appears in the YouTube app or website. The Cast button looks like a rectangle with a small triangle in the corner. Tapping it opens a list of devices on your home network — select your TV, and the video plays there instead of on your phone. The whole process takes about five seconds once your devices are set up.
Casting works on any TV that has a Chromecast device plugged into it, or a TV with built-in Chromecast (many newer smart TVs have this). Your phone, tablet, or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your TV. Once you cast, you can use your phone as a remote to pause, rewind, or skip ahead — or just put it down and watch.
Key Takeaways
- The Cast button appears in the YouTube app and on YouTube.com, and it only works if your TV has Chromecast built in or a Chromecast device plugged into it.
- Your phone, tablet, or computer and your TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can cast.
- After you tap Cast and select your TV, the video plays on the TV screen and you control it from your device.
- If the Cast button does not appear, restart your phone and TV, then check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Check that your TV has Chromecast
Before you can cast, your TV needs to support Chromecast. Look for a small sticker on the back or side of your TV that says "Chromecast built-in" — many Samsung, LG, Sony, and TCL TVs made in the last five years have this. If your TV does not have the sticker, you can buy a separate Chromecast device (a small box or stick) and plug it into an HDMI port on the back of your TV.
If you are not sure whether your TV has Chromecast, check the manual or search the TV model number plus "Chromecast" online. A Chromecast device costs between $30 and $50 and works with any TV that has an HDMI port and power outlet nearby.
Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network
Casting only works when your phone (or tablet or computer) and your TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and note which network it is connected to. Then go to your TV's settings — usually found in a menu button on the remote — and connect it to the same network. You will need to enter the Wi-Fi password on your TV using the remote.
If your home has a guest Wi-Fi network separate from your main network, make sure both devices are on the main network, not the guest one. Some guest networks block devices from finding each other. Once both devices show the same network name in their settings, you are ready to cast.
Cast from the YouTube app on your phone or tablet
Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet and start playing a video. Look for the Cast icon — a rectangle with a triangle in the bottom right corner — usually in the top right corner of the screen. Tap it. A list of nearby devices appears; select your TV by name. The video stops on your phone and starts playing on your TV.
While the video plays on your TV, your phone becomes a remote. You can tap the screen to pause, play, rewind, or skip forward. The video continues even if you lock your phone or open another app — the cast connection stays active until you tap the Cast icon again and select "Disconnect" or turn off your TV.
Cast from YouTube.com on your computer
If you are watching YouTube on a computer, the Cast button appears in the video player controls, usually in the bottom right corner next to the fullscreen button. Click it and select your TV from the list. The video plays on your TV, and you can control it from your keyboard — spacebar to pause, arrow keys to skip forward or back.
Casting from a computer works the same way as casting from a phone: both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and the video continues playing on your TV even if you minimize the browser window. You can close the browser entirely and the video keeps playing.
Troubleshoot if the Cast button does not appear
If you do not see the Cast icon in the YouTube app or on YouTube.com, the most common reason is that your phone and TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check both devices' Wi-Fi settings and make sure they show the same network name. If they do, restart both your phone and TV — turn them completely off, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on.
If the Cast button still does not appear after a restart, check that your Chromecast device or TV is powered on and has been set up. Some Chromecast devices have a light that blinks when they are searching for a network; if the light is off, the device may not be getting power. Try a different USB cable or power outlet. If you recently set up your Chromecast, wait a few minutes for it to finish connecting to your Wi-Fi before trying to cast.
What to do if casting keeps disconnecting
If the video starts on your TV but stops after a few seconds, or if the connection drops while you are watching, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Move your phone or tablet closer to your TV or router, or move the Chromecast device to a more central location in your home. Walls and distance weaken Wi-Fi signals, especially on older routers.
You can also try restarting your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If disconnections keep happening, restart the YouTube app on your phone and try casting again. If the problem persists, restart your TV or Chromecast device as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a smart TV to cast YouTube?
No. Any TV with an HDMI port can cast YouTube if you plug in a Chromecast device. You do not need a smart TV. If your TV is smart but does not have Chromecast built in, you can still use a separate Chromecast device.
Can I cast YouTube while using a VPN?
Casting may not work if your phone is on a VPN and your TV is not, because they may not be able to find each other on the network. Turn off the VPN on your phone before casting, or make sure both devices are on the same VPN network.
What happens to my phone while a video is casting?
Your phone becomes a remote control. You can lock it, open other apps, or put it down — the video keeps playing on your TV. The cast connection stays active until you disconnect it or turn off your TV.
Can I cast from multiple devices to the same TV?
Only one device can cast to your TV at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you are already casting, their device will ask if they want to take over. You can choose to stop casting and let them start, or keep your video playing.
Does casting use a lot of data?
Casting uses the same amount of data as watching YouTube on your phone — it streams over your home Wi-Fi network, not through your phone's data plan. If you have a data limit on your home internet, casting will count toward it the same way as any other streaming would.