The fastest way to get your phone's screen on your TV
The simplest method is to use Google Cast, which sends video from your phone directly to your TV without needing cables. If your TV has a Cast button built in (most newer smart TVs do), you open YouTube on your phone, tap the Cast icon in the top right corner, select your TV from the list, and the video plays on the big screen while your phone becomes a remote control.
If your TV doesn't have Cast built in, you can buy a Google Chromecast device (a small stick or box that plugs into an HDMI port) for around $30 to $50, and it adds Cast to any TV. The process works the same way once it's set up.
A second option is to use an HDMI cable if your phone has an HDMI port or an adapter. This physically connects your phone to your TV and mirrors everything on your phone's screen, but it requires your phone to stay plugged in and limits how far you can move around.
Key Takeaways
- Google Cast is the wireless method most people use—tap the Cast icon in YouTube on your phone, pick your TV, and the video plays on the screen.
- Your TV needs either built-in Cast support or a separate Chromecast device plugged into an HDMI port to use wireless casting.
- HDMI cables work on any TV but require your phone to stay connected and plugged in the whole time.
- Once you cast to your TV, your phone acts as a remote—you can pause, skip, or adjust volume from your hand.
- You need to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your TV or Chromecast device for wireless casting to work.
Setting up Google Cast on your TV
Before you can cast, your TV needs to support it. Most Samsung, LG, Sony, and Google TVs made in the last five years have Cast built in. Check your TV's settings menu or look for a Cast icon on the remote. If you don't see it, you'll need a Chromecast device.
If you're buying a Chromecast, plug it into an HDMI port on the back of your TV, then plug the power cable into a wall outlet or USB port on the TV. read the Google Home app on your phone, open it, and follow the setup steps to connect the Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network. Once it's connected, you're ready to cast.
Make sure your phone and TV (or Chromecast) are on the same Wi-Fi network. If they're on different networks, casting won't work. You can check which network your TV is on in its settings, and which network your phone is on in your phone's Wi-Fi settings.
Casting YouTube from your phone step by step
Open the YouTube app on your phone and find a video you want to watch. Tap the Cast icon—it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the top right corner of the screen, next to the search bar. A list of available devices appears.
Tap the name of your TV or Chromecast. The video will start playing on your TV within a few seconds. Your phone screen will show a smaller version of the video and playback controls. You can now use your phone to pause, play, skip forward or backward, adjust volume, or search for a new video.
To stop casting, tap the Cast icon again and select "Stop casting." The video will stop on your TV, and you can use your phone normally again.
Using an HDMI cable instead
If your phone has an HDMI port (some Android phones do) or comes with an HDMI adapter, you can plug directly into your TV. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to your phone or adapter, and the other end to an HDMI port on the back of your TV. Switch the TV to the correct HDMI input using the remote.
Your phone's screen will now appear on the TV. Open YouTube and play a video. Everything on your phone—the app, the video, the controls—will show on the big screen. The downside is that your phone needs to stay plugged in and close to the TV, and the cable can be awkward to manage.
Most newer iPhones do not have HDMI ports, so this method works best with Android phones or if you buy a separate adapter. Check what type of port your phone has before buying a cable.
Troubleshooting when casting doesn't work
If the Cast icon doesn't appear in YouTube, your phone and TV are likely on different Wi-Fi networks. Go into your phone's Wi-Fi settings and connect to the same network your TV is using. Then open YouTube again and the Cast icon should appear.
If your TV or Chromecast doesn't show up in the device list, restart both devices. Unplug the Chromecast (or restart your TV through its settings menu), wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Then try casting again.
If the video starts but then stops or buffers constantly, your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Move your phone closer to the TV or router, or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. A weak connection will cause playback to stall.
Controlling playback from your phone
Once you're casting, your phone becomes a remote control. The YouTube app shows a smaller version of the video with standard controls: play, pause, skip forward 10 seconds, skip backward 10 seconds, and a progress bar to jump to any point in the video.
You can also adjust the volume using your phone's volume buttons, search for a new video and add it to the queue, or turn off the screen on your phone while the video keeps playing on the TV. This saves your phone's battery while you watch.
If you want to use a physical remote instead, most TVs with built-in Cast let you control YouTube with the TV remote as well. The phone remote and TV remote work at the same time.
When to call a professional
Most casting problems you can solve yourself by checking Wi-Fi, restarting devices, or updating the YouTube app. If you've tried restarting both your phone and TV and the Cast icon still doesn't appear, or if your TV is very old and doesn't support Cast, a technician at an electronics store can help you pick the right Chromecast device and set it up.
If you're having trouble with an HDMI cable connection, make sure you're using the correct input on your TV (check the remote or TV menu to see which HDMI port you plugged into), and try a different HDMI cable if you have one available. Cables can fail, and a new one usually costs $10 to $20.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a subscription to cast YouTube to my TV?
No. Casting works with the free version of YouTube. You can watch ads-supported videos on your TV the same way you do on your phone. YouTube Premium removes ads, but it's not required for casting to work.
Can I cast YouTube while using my phone for something else?
No. Once you start casting, the YouTube app takes over your phone's screen. However, you can turn off your phone's screen while casting continues—the video will keep playing on your TV while your phone is locked.
What if my TV is too old to have Cast built in?
Buy a Chromecast device and plug it into an HDMI port on your TV. It works with any TV that has an HDMI port, regardless of age. Setup takes about 10 minutes and costs $30 to $50 depending on which Chromecast model you choose.
Will casting work if I'm not at home?
No. Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you're away from home, you can't cast to your home TV. You can only cast to devices on the network you're currently connected to.
Can I cast from an iPad or tablet?
Yes. Any device with the YouTube app and a Cast button can cast to your TV, including iPads, Android tablets, and Chromebooks. The process is the same as casting from a phone.