The fastest way to watch YouTube on your TV

You can send YouTube from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV using a feature called casting. The cast button appears in the YouTube app or website, and when you tap it, you choose your TV from a list of devices on your home network. Your phone then tells your TV to play the video directly — you don't need to plug anything in or buy extra hardware if your TV already supports it.

Most TVs made in the last five years have casting built in. If your TV is older or doesn't have the feature, you can add it with a cheap device like a Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, or Roku. Once the device is plugged in and connected to your WiFi, casting works the same way.

Key Takeaways

  • The cast button is in the YouTube app (top right corner on phones) or on the YouTube website (top right corner on computers), and it only appears when a compatible TV is on the same WiFi network.
  • Your phone, tablet, or computer and your TV must be connected to the same WiFi network for casting to work.
  • If your TV doesn't have casting built in, a Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, or Roku device plugged into an HDMI port adds the feature for under $50.
  • Once you cast a video, your phone becomes a remote — you can pause, rewind, or switch videos from your device while the TV plays.
  • Casting uses your home WiFi, not your phone's data, so it won't drain your mobile plan.

Check that your TV and phone are on the same WiFi

Casting only works when both devices are connected to the same WiFi network. Open your phone's WiFi settings and confirm you are connected to your home network. Then check your TV's settings — most TVs have a WiFi menu in the network or connectivity section. If your TV is plugged in with an ethernet cable instead, that counts as being on the same network.

If your TV shows no WiFi option or you cannot find a network setting, your TV may not support casting. Check the TV's manual or the manufacturer's website (search for your TV model number plus "casting" or "screen mirroring"). If it does not support casting, you will need to add a casting device.

Find and tap the cast button in YouTube

Open the YouTube app on your phone or go to YouTube.com on your computer. The cast button looks like a rectangle with a WiFi symbol in the bottom left corner. On a phone, it is in the top right corner of the screen. On a computer, it is also in the top right, near the profile picture.

When you tap the cast button, a list of devices appears — your TV should show up by its name (for example, "Living Room TV" or "Samsung TV"). Tap your TV's name. YouTube will start playing on your TV within a few seconds, and your phone will show a blue cast icon to remind you that casting is active.

If no devices appear in the list, go back and check that both your phone and TV are on the same WiFi network. If they are and the TV still does not show up, restart both devices and try again.

Control playback from your phone while casting

Once you are casting, your phone acts as a remote. You can pause, play, rewind, or skip forward by tapping the controls on your phone's screen. You can also search for a new video and tap cast again to switch what is playing on your TV without getting up.

The volume on your TV remote still works, or you can adjust volume from your phone if the YouTube app shows a volume slider. If you close the YouTube app or lock your phone, casting continues — your TV keeps playing the video. To stop casting, tap the cast button again and select "Stop casting."

Add a casting device if your TV does not support it

If your TV is older or does not have casting built in, you can plug a casting device into an HDMI port on the back of your TV. The three most common options are Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, and Roku. All three cost between $30 and $50 and work the same way: plug it in, connect it to your WiFi, and then cast YouTube to it just as you would to a TV with built-in casting.

Google Chromecast is the simplest if you use Google services (Gmail, Google Home). Amazon Fire Stick is a good choice if you use Alexa or Prime Video. Roku works well with most services and has its own remote. Any of them will let you cast YouTube to your TV. Check that your TV has an available HDMI port and that the port is not already in use by a cable box, gaming console, or other device.

Troubleshoot if casting is not working

If the cast button does not appear, your phone and TV are probably not on the same WiFi network. Check both devices' network settings and make sure they are connected to the same network name (SSID). Restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to reconnect.

If the cast button appears but your TV does not show up in the list, restart your TV and try again. If your TV is very far from your WiFi router, move closer or move the router to a more central location. If you are using a 5 GHz WiFi network, try switching to 2.4 GHz — some older devices only support 2.4 GHz.

If casting starts but the video keeps stopping or buffering, your WiFi signal may be weak. Move your phone closer to the router or reduce the number of devices using your WiFi at the same time. You can also try lowering the video quality in YouTube's settings (tap your profile picture, then Settings, then Video quality preferences).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a cable or subscription to cast YouTube?

No. Casting is a free feature built into YouTube and most modern TVs. You only need a YouTube account (which is free) and a home WiFi network. If your TV does not have casting, you will need to buy a casting device, but the casting itself is free once the device is set up.

Can I cast from my computer to my TV?

Yes. Go to YouTube.com on your computer, tap the cast button in the top right corner, and select your TV. The process is the same as casting from a phone. Your computer must be on the same WiFi network as your TV.

What happens if I close the YouTube app while casting?

The video keeps playing on your TV. Closing the app does not stop casting. To stop casting, open YouTube again, tap the cast button, and select "Stop casting." You can also tap the cast button on your TV remote if it has one.

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

No. Only one device can cast to a TV at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you are already casting, their video will take over and yours will stop. You can take turns by stopping your cast and letting the other person start theirs.

Does casting use my phone's data plan?

No. Casting uses your home WiFi network, not your mobile data. The video streams from YouTube through your WiFi to your TV, so it will not count against your phone's data limit.