Casting to your TV from an iPhone, Android phone or Chrome on a laptop

Casting means sending a video, music or a web page from your phone or laptop to your TV, using a Chromecast or a TV with Chromecast built in. The phone or laptop does not stream the video itself once it starts. Apps change their wording and menus from time to time, so what you see may differ slightly from the steps below.

Before you start

• The TV device and your phone or laptop must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Switch on the TV and the Chromecast.

From an app on iPhone or Android

1. Open an app that supports casting, such as YouTube, iPlayer or Netflix.
2. Find the Cast icon. It looks like a small TV with Wi-Fi waves in the corner, usually near the top of the screen.
3. Tap it and choose your TV or Chromecast from the list.
4. Start the video. It will appear on the TV, and your phone becomes a remote.

Mirroring an Android screen

Some Android phones have a screen-casting option in the quick settings panel (swipe down from the top). Its name varies between makes, for example Cast or Smart View. Check your phone's help if you cannot find it.

From Chrome on a laptop

1. Open the Google Chrome browser.
2. Click the three dots at the top right.
3. Find Cast in the menu. It might sit within a Save, share and cast group, depending on your version.
4. Choose your TV or Chromecast, then choose what to cast: a single browser tab is usually best.
5. To stop, click the cast icon in Chrome and choose the device again, then stop.

Things to know

• iPhone does not use Apple's AirPlay for Chromecast. Use the cast icon in each app instead.
• Some services restrict what can be cast, or need an account.

When to get more help

Get help if there is no cast icon, your TV is never listed, or the picture is stuttering even with a good signal. Our guide "Can't cast" covers the common network causes.