If you’ve ever watched a video on your phone but would like to see it bigger on your TV, guess what: you can do it in just a few clicks.
It’s all made possible with a Chromecast device. Since its inception, it has evolved in several ways. But it’s still one of the fastest and easiest ways to stream your content to your TV or other big screen, and it works great every time, whether you’re using a phone or tablet. Plus, you don’t even need the dongle these days, as many TVs come with a Chromecast experience built-in.
So if you’re tired of watching alone on your mobile device and want to go big, you can do so without much hassle. Below, we’ll show you the most reliable and easiest ways to stream your videos from your Android phone to your Chromecast.
But the technical advice shouldn’t stop there. If watching your favorite content is important to you, learn how to set up dual monitors and learn more about what is a VPN and how do they work?
What do you need to mirror your Android phone to your TV?
To get started, you’ll need an Android device with mirroring capabilities. Android has had mirroring since Android 5.0 Lollipop, so unless your device is really old, you’re in the clear.
In addition to a compatible Android phone or tablet, you’ll also need a Google Chromecast streaming device, like the Chromecast with Google TV HD (with a full-fledged remote) or a TV with built-in Chromecast support, like the Hisense U8H Google TV.
If you’re not sure if your TV supports Chromecast, the best way to check is to see if it shows up as an available casting device when you follow one of the methods below.
Google Chromecast with Google TV or an older Chromecast device is all you need to mirror your Android device.
Cast your screen using the Google Home app
The most reliable and consistent way to mirror your Android phone screen is to use the Google Home app. If you’ve already set up one of Google’s smart speakers, Nest Wifi Pro Or Chromecast devices, you probably already have it installed. Otherwise you can download it from play store.
To connect to your TV, open the Home app on your mobile device and select the Chromecast device you want to use. At the bottom of the screen you will see a button labeled Throw my screen — press it. Then tap Screen broadcast at the prompt that appears to start streaming whatever is on your phone or tablet to your TV.
To stop your screen from streaming, tap the button labeled Stop mirroring in the Home app.
Screen mirroring is built into the Home app.
There’s an easier way to stream content if your phone supports it
Using the Home app doesn’t take much work, but there’s an even easier way: the Casting shortcut in the Quick Settings panel. Access the quick settings panel by swiping down from the top of the screen of your Android phone or tablet. There should be an option titled Screen casting. If you can’t find it, use the Smart View shortcut, which is usually only available on Samsung devices.
Once you press the Cast button, choose the device you want to mirror your display to from the list. It may take a few seconds to connect your phone to the Chromecast-enabled device, but once done, your screen will appear on your TV. Stop streaming by repeating the same steps we just described.
There is a shortcut: the quick settings panel.
You may also see a Cast button in an app like YouTube, which lets you stream content from that app and only that app. If you exit the app on the phone while streaming, playback should continue on your TV.
But here’s the thing: not all phones include a Cast button option in the quick settings panel. It’s not clear why, but if your phone doesn’t have the shortcut option, don’t give up. You can still mirror your phone using the Home app.
Remember, every time you mirror your screen, whatever appears on your phone or tablet screen will also appear on the TV. This means that all alerts and notifications, along with their content, will be broadcast for everyone to see. I suggest enabling Do Not Disturb to minimize disruption. Additionally, since there will potentially be a lag between your phone and TV when streaming, if you want to game, avoid more intensive titles like Fortnite.
For more tech tips, learn how to relax with this hidden iPhone feature and how to remove junk from your Android phone’s web browser.
