Casting to YouTube TV uses the Cast button in the app or browser

To cast content to YouTube TV on your TV, open the YouTube TV app or website on your phone, tablet, or computer, then tap or click the Cast button (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner). Select your TV from the list of available devices, and YouTube TV will start playing on your television. Your phone or computer becomes a remote control while the content streams directly to your TV.

Casting works on any TV with a Chromecast device plugged into an HDMI port, or on a TV that has Chromecast built in. Your phone, tablet, or computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV for casting to work. The process takes a few seconds once you tap Cast and select your device.

Key Takeaways

  • The Cast button appears in the YouTube TV app on phones and tablets, and in the web player on computers.
  • Your TV needs either a Chromecast device or built-in Chromecast capability to receive a cast.
  • Your phone, tablet, or computer and your TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Once you cast, your device acts as a remote—you can pause, rewind, or change channels from it while the show plays on your TV.
  • If the Cast button does not appear, restart your device and check that both it and your TV are on the same network.

Where to find the Cast button on your device

On an iPhone or iPad, open the YouTube TV app, start playing a show or live channel, and look for the Cast icon in the top right corner of the screen—it looks like a rectangle with three curved lines. Tap it and a list of nearby devices appears.

On an Android phone or tablet, the Cast button is in the same location in the top right. If you do not see it, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings menu and look for a Cast option there instead.

On a computer or laptop, go to youtube.tv in your web browser, start playing content, and look for the Cast icon in the bottom right corner of the video player. Click it to see your available devices.

What you need for casting to work

Your TV must have either a Chromecast device or built-in Chromecast. If your TV was made in the last five years, it may already have Chromecast built in—check your TV's settings or manual. If not, you can buy a Chromecast device (a small stick or dongle) and plug it into an HDMI port on your TV. Chromecast devices are sold at most electronics retailers.

Your phone, tablet, or computer and your TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you are on a guest network or a different network than your TV, casting will not work. Check your Wi-Fi settings and make sure both devices show the same network name.

Your TV should be turned on and set to the HDMI input where your Chromecast device is plugged in (or the input for built-in Chromecast). If your TV is off or on the wrong input, the Cast button may still appear on your phone, but the cast will fail.

Troubleshooting when the Cast button does not appear

If you do not see the Cast button in the YouTube TV app or web player, first restart your phone, tablet, or computer. Then restart your TV and Chromecast device by unplugging them for 10 seconds and plugging them back in.

Check that your device and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your Wi-Fi settings and confirm the network name matches. If you recently changed your Wi-Fi password, you may need to reconnect your TV or Chromecast device to the network—check your TV's network settings or the Chromecast setup app on your phone.

If the Cast button still does not appear, try opening YouTube TV in a web browser on your computer instead of the app. Sometimes the web version works when the app does not. You can also try closing and reopening the YouTube TV app completely.

Using your device as a remote while casting

Once you cast to your TV, your phone, tablet, or computer becomes a remote control. You can pause and play, skip forward or backward, adjust the volume, and change channels—all from your device while the video plays on your TV. The controls appear on your screen automatically.

You can also search for shows and channels on your device and start playing them on your TV without leaving the couch. If you need to stop casting, tap or click the Cast button again and select "Stop casting" from the menu.

If you lock your phone or put it to sleep, casting continues on your TV. You can unlock your phone later and tap the Cast button again to bring up the remote controls.

Casting from different apps and browsers

YouTube TV casting works the same way whether you use the official YouTube TV app or the web version at youtube.tv. The Cast button location changes slightly between them, but the process is identical: tap or click Cast, select your TV, and the content starts playing.

If you are using a web browser on a computer, make sure you are using a browser that supports casting. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox all support Chromecast. Safari on Mac does not have built-in Chromecast support, though you can use AirPlay to cast to an Apple TV instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast YouTube TV to a TV without Chromecast?

No, your TV needs either a Chromecast device or built-in Chromecast to receive a cast from YouTube TV. If your TV does not have either, you can buy a Chromecast device for under $50 and plug it into an HDMI port. Some smart TVs have Chromecast built in—check your TV's manual or settings to see if yours does.

What if my phone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks?

Casting will not work if your devices are on different networks. Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network. If you have a guest network, make sure both devices are on the main network, not the guest one. Check your Wi-Fi settings to confirm the network names match.

Can I use my phone for something else while casting?

Yes. Once you start casting, your phone or computer acts as a remote, but you can use it for other things at the same time. You can check email, browse the web, or use other apps while YouTube TV plays on your TV. Casting continues even if you lock your phone or put it to sleep.

Why does the Cast button appear but casting fails?

This usually means your TV is off, on the wrong HDMI input, or not connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone. Turn on your TV, switch to the correct HDMI input, and check that both devices are on the same network. Restart both devices if the problem continues.

Can I cast to multiple TVs at the same time?

No, YouTube TV can only cast to one TV at a time from a single device. If you want to watch on a different TV, stop casting on the first one, then tap Cast again and select the other TV. You can also use a different phone or tablet to cast to another TV simultaneously.