To cast from your iPhone to a Chromecast, connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network, open a supported app, tap its Cast button, and select your Chromecast. Allow the app to access your local network if asked. Start playback and check that the video appears on the intended TV.
This sends content from a compatible app. It does not turn Chromecast into an AirPlay receiver or mirror your whole iPhone screen through Control Center. App support, the receiving device, and sometimes your subscription determine what works. Android phones have more options: see how to mirror an Android screen to a TV.
Before you start
Your Chromecast must already be set up, powered on, and connected to the TV. Switch the TV to the Chromecast’s HDMI input. For a TV with Google Cast built in, use its supported casting feature. Google’s app casting instructions also cover Google TV Streamer and other supported receivers.
Check the iPhone’s connection in Settings > Wi-Fi. Use the same home network as the receiver. Update the streaming app through the App Store and sign in if the content requires an account. An app being available on iPhone does not establish that it supports casting. Sling TV is one live TV service that documents a Cast icon in its mobile app; see how to get Sling TV on an iPhone.
Cast from a supported iPhone app
- Open the app you want to watch from. Find its Cast button, commonly shown as a screen with wireless waves in one corner. Its location varies by app.
- Tap Cast. If iOS requests Local Network access, allow it for this app if you want the app to find your receiver.
- Select the intended Chromecast or TV. Check the device name rather than choosing the first entry if several rooms have receivers.
- Choose the video and start playback. The video should appear on that TV. Use the app’s playback controls to pause or change the content.
For a concrete example, Google’s YouTube casting guide places Cast at the top of the YouTube app’s home screen. Select the Chromecast, then play a video. While it plays, you can use the phone for other tasks; this is different from displaying everything on the phone’s screen. For a movie app example, see how to watch Vudu (now Fandango) on a Chromecast from an iPhone.
If the Chromecast does not appear
Check these in order before changing the receiver’s setup:
- Confirm the app supports your receiver. A missing Cast button can be an app compatibility issue rather than a broken Chromecast.
- Recheck Wi-Fi and power. The iPhone and receiver need the same network; cellular data alone is not the casting connection. Verify that the receiver is on and the TV is using the correct input.
- Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network. Enable the specific streaming app, then return to it and tap Cast again. Google documents this permission for iOS 14 and later in its Local Network guide.
- Separate setup from playback. If Google Home cannot find a device you are still setting up, follow Google’s iPhone device-discovery checklist and the setup guide for that model. Finding a device in Google Home does not prove a particular video app supports it.
For example, permission granted to Google Home does not replace permission for the streaming app. Check the app you are actually using. If one supported app finds the TV and another does not, investigate the second app’s requirements before resetting the receiver. For one app with its own permission and device requirements, see how to watch HBO Max on a Chromecast.
Netflix has additional limits
Netflix’s current casting requirements list Chromecast 3rd generation or older without a physical remote, alongside certain other receivers. Casting or mirroring requires a Standard or Premium plan. Do not assume Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer is supported just because another app can cast to it. For a device outside Netflix’s list, open Netflix using the device’s remote. Netflix does not support AirPlay from iPhone or iPad.
Stop casting or remove permission
Tap Cast again and select Disconnect. In YouTube, you can instead select your mobile device to continue there. Check the TV afterward, particularly if it is a shared screen.
If you no longer want an app to discover devices on your network, turn off its switch in Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network. You will need to allow access again to use that app’s casting discovery.
Can I mirror the entire iPhone screen?
Control Center’s Screen Mirroring uses AirPlay. Apple’s AirPlay instructions require a compatible receiver, such as Apple TV or an AirPlay-compatible smart TV. Google Cast support alone does not provide that compatibility. An iPad is not an AirPlay receiver either; see what works instead of casting an iPhone to an iPad.
Our iPhone and iPad TV mirroring guide covers AirPlay and compatible cable alternatives. Use that route when you need to show your whole screen. For a Chromecast, begin with the app’s supported Cast feature and check its requirements if the button or device is missing.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.