The fastest way to watch YouTube on your TV

YouTube Cast works through the Cast button, which appears in the YouTube app on your phone or in your web browser on a computer. Tap or click it, select your TV from the list, and the video plays on your screen instead of your device. Your phone or computer becomes a remote — you can pause, skip, adjust volume, and queue videos without touching the TV.

The TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone or computer. You do not need a cable, a separate device, or a YouTube TV subscription. If your TV has Chromecast built in (most Samsung, LG, and Google TVs made in the last five years do), or if you own a Chromecast device, Google TV box, or Roku, you can cast to it.

Key Takeaways

  • The Cast button appears in the YouTube app on Android and iPhone, and in the YouTube website on Chrome, Edge, and Safari browsers.
  • Your TV and phone or computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • Casting works on TVs with built-in Chromecast, and on TVs connected to a Chromecast device, Google TV box, Roku, or Fire TV.
  • Once you cast, your phone or computer controls playback, and you can lock the screen or switch apps without stopping the video.

How to cast from an Android phone

Open the YouTube app and start playing a video. Look for the Cast icon — it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the top-left corner — in the top-right area of the screen. Tap it.

A list of available devices appears. Select your TV by name. YouTube will ask your TV to start playing the same video. Once it connects, the Cast icon turns blue, and the video moves to your TV screen. Your phone screen shows a smaller player where you can pause, rewind, skip to the next video, and adjust volume.

If you do not see the Cast icon, your TV is either off, not on the same Wi-Fi network, or does not support casting. Check that both devices are connected to the same network in your Wi-Fi settings.

How to cast from an iPhone or iPad

Open the YouTube app and play a video. Tap the Cast icon in the top-right corner — it is the same rectangle-with-lines symbol as on Android. A list of nearby devices appears.

Tap your TV's name. YouTube connects and begins playing on your TV. Your iPhone becomes the control panel. You can pause, skip, rewind, and adjust volume from your phone without touching the TV remote.

If the Cast icon does not appear, make sure your iPhone is on the same Wi-Fi network as your TV. Restart the YouTube app if the icon still does not show.

How to cast from a computer

Open YouTube in Chrome, Edge, or Safari on your computer. Play a video. Click the Cast icon in the top-right corner of the video player — it looks like a rectangle with curved lines.

A menu shows all available devices on your network. Click your TV's name. YouTube sends the video to your TV, and your computer screen shows a smaller player for controls. You can minimize the browser, switch tabs, or even close the browser window — the video keeps playing on your TV.

If you use Firefox or another browser, the Cast button will not appear. Switch to Chrome, Edge, or Safari to cast from a computer.

What to do if your TV is not showing up

First, check that your TV and phone or computer are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your device's Wi-Fi settings and confirm the network name. Then check your TV's network settings — most TVs show this in the system settings menu under Network or Wi-Fi.

Restart both devices. Turn off your TV and phone or computer, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. This clears temporary connection problems that block casting.

If your TV is older or does not have built-in Chromecast, you can still cast to it by connecting a Chromecast device (a small dongle that plugs into an HDMI port), a Google TV box, a Roku, or a Fire TV. Plug the device in, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and the Cast button will recognize it the same way.

How casting affects your phone or computer battery and data

Casting uses Wi-Fi, not cellular data, so it does not count toward a mobile data plan. Your phone or computer stays connected to the network while casting, which uses battery power — expect the battery to drain faster than normal, though not dramatically.

You can lock your phone screen or put your computer to sleep while casting, and the video will keep playing on your TV. The connection stays active in the background. If your phone loses Wi-Fi connection, casting stops, and the video pauses on your TV.

Casting a video from someone else's YouTube channel

You can cast any video you can watch on YouTube — your own uploads, videos from other channels, playlists, and live streams. Open the video, tap or click the Cast icon, select your TV, and it plays the same way.

If a video is restricted to certain countries or requires age verification, casting respects those restrictions. You will see the same error message on your TV that you would see on your phone or computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast YouTube while using other apps on my phone?

Yes. Once you cast, your phone or computer is just a remote. You can open other apps, check email, or browse the web without stopping the video on your TV. The casting connection stays active in the background as long as you stay on the same Wi-Fi network.

What if my TV does not have Chromecast built in?

You can buy a Chromecast device (a small HDMI dongle), a Google TV box, a Roku, or a Fire TV and connect it to your TV's HDMI port. Once set up and connected to Wi-Fi, the Cast button will recognize it the same way it recognizes a built-in Chromecast.

Does casting work on a mobile hotspot instead of home Wi-Fi?

Yes, as long as both your phone and TV are connected to the same hotspot. This uses more battery on the phone creating the hotspot, so it is not ideal for long viewing sessions, but it works.

Can I cast to multiple TVs at the same time?

No. You can only cast to one device at a time from a single phone or computer. If you want the same video on two TVs, you would need to cast from two different devices.

What happens if I close the YouTube app while casting?

The video stops when ready on your TV. You have to open YouTube again and cast the same video to resume. Casting requires the YouTube app or browser to stay running on your phone or computer.