How to Cast Your Android Phone to a TV with Chromecast

You want to show video, music, or your entire phone screen on a TV using Chromecast or a TV with Google Cast built in.

Why: There are two different things called “casting.” Casting from an app streams that app’s content to the TV (the TV does the work). Screen casting mirrors your whole phone screen. Both need the phone and TV on the same Wi-Fi network.

Settings paths vary by maker (Samsung One UI vs Pixel). Wording below follows Google’s generic Chromecast and Android docs.

Step 1: Cast video or music from an app

This is the best-quality option for things like YouTube, Netflix, or Spotify. It needs Android 6.0 or later.

1. Make sure your phone and the Chromecast / Google Cast TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open a Cast-enabled app (YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, and so on) and start playing something.
3. Tap the Cast button — the little screen-with-waves icon. Its position changes from app to app, usually top or bottom of the playback screen.
4. Tap the name of your TV or Chromecast device. When connected, the Cast button turns solid.
5. Use the app’s normal controls to play, pause, and change the volume.

To stop, tap the Cast button again and tap Disconnect.

Step 2: Mirror your whole screen with the Google Home app

Use this when you want to show something with no Cast button — photos, a game, settings, or a slideshow. It needs Android 8.0 or later.

1. Install and open the Google Home app, signed in to the same account set up with your Chromecast.
2. Confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Tap your TV / Chromecast device, then tap Cast screen (or the screen-mirror option).
4. Confirm the prompt. Your phone screen now appears on the TV.

To stop, reopen Google Home, tap the device, and tap Stop mirroring — or use the Quick Settings cast tile on your phone and disconnect there.

Step 3: If casting won’t connect or keeps dropping

Connection trouble is almost always the network.

1. Double-check both devices are on the same Wi-Fi name (SSID) — not one on 2.4 GHz and the other on a separate 5 GHz network with a different name.
2. Keep the phone within about 15 ft (5 m) of the TV for screen mirroring.
3. On the phone, open Settings > Network & internet and turn off Adaptive connectivity if your phone keeps switching networks.
4. Restart the Chromecast (unplug power for 10 seconds) and the router if it still won’t appear.

FAQ

What’s the difference between casting and mirroring? Casting from an app sends just that content and lets you keep using your phone for other things. Mirroring shows your entire screen, including notifications.

The Cast button isn’t in my app. That app isn’t Cast-enabled — use Step 2 to mirror your whole screen instead, or check the Play Store for an updated version.

Does my TV need a Chromecast dongle? Not always. Many newer TVs have Google Cast / Chromecast built-in, so they show up as cast targets on their own.

Why won’t my TV show up in the list? Almost always the phone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks, or the router has “AP isolation” turned on. Put both on the same network and disable AP/client isolation in the router settings.

Sources: Streaming Help — Cast media from Google Cast-enabled apps to your TV or display, Streaming Help — Improve your Android screen casting experience