Table of contents(13)+
- 01The 30-second test
- 02Method 1: Mirror an Android phone to Chromecast
- 03Method 2: Mirror an iPhone to Chromecast (the honest way)
- 04Method 3: Use Chromecast built-in on a Hisense Google TV
- 05Fix 1: Chromecast screen mirroring not working
- 06Frequently Asked Questions
- 07Can you screen mirror an iPhone to a Chromecast?
- 08How do I screen mirror to Chromecast for free?
- 09Why is my Chromecast screen mirroring not working?
- 10Does Chromecast screen mirroring work without Wi-Fi?
- 11Do Hisense Google TVs have Chromecast built-in?
- 12Can you mirror your whole screen to Chromecast?
- 13Related guides
To screen mirror to a Chromecast, open the Google Home app on an Android phone, tap your Chromecast or Google TV, then tap Cast my screen. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi. iPhones can't mirror the whole screen to a Chromecast — you cast video inside apps like YouTube instead.
I run a Chromecast with Google TV in the living room and a Hisense A6 Google TV in the bedroom. Android mirroring on my Pixel is instant. My iPhone is the frustrating one — it casts a YouTube video fine, but there's no button to throw the whole screen at a Chromecast. That gap trips up most people, so I'll be straight about it below.
The 30-second test
Want to know if plain mirroring will even work? Check one thing first — the phone in your hand.
- Android phone? You can mirror the whole screen. Go to Method 1.
- iPhone or iPad? You can't mirror everything to a Chromecast. You cast video inside apps, or use AirPlay if your TV supports it. See Method 2.
Thirty seconds there saves you a lot of googling.
Chromecast built-in lives inside your Hisense TV's Google TV menu. If the remote is lost and you can't even wake the set or switch inputs, HiRemote (free on the App Store) turns your iPhone into the Hisense remote and pairs in about 30 seconds over Wi-Fi. It won't cast your screen for you — but it drives the TV while you set casting up. Here's the Hisense Google TV remote guide.
Method 1: Mirror an Android phone to Chromecast
Android has Google Cast built in, so this is the clean path. You have two ways in, and both are free.
Using the Google Home app:
- Put your phone and Chromecast on the same Wi-Fi.
- Open the Google Home app.
- Tap your Chromecast or Google TV device.
- Tap Cast my screen → Cast screen.
Using the Quick Settings tile:
- Swipe down twice from the top of the screen.
- Tap the Screen cast (or Cast) tile.
- Pick your Chromecast from the list.
When it won't work: Samsung phones hide the Google Cast tile and push "Smart View" instead — that's Miracast, not Chromecast. On a Samsung, use the Google Home app path above. Streaming apps with DRM, like Netflix and Disney+, also show a black screen when you mirror. Cast inside those apps with their own Cast button instead.
Method 2: Mirror an iPhone to Chromecast (the honest way)
Here's the truth Apple won't print on a box: iOS has no built-in Google Cast, and Chromecast doesn't speak AirPlay. So you can't mirror your entire iPhone screen to a plain Chromecast. You have three real options.
- Cast video inside apps. YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and most big apps show a Cast icon. Tap it, pick your Chromecast, and the video plays on the TV. This sends the video, not your whole screen — and it's free.
- Use a third-party mirroring app. The App Store has screen-mirror-to-Chromecast apps. Be honest with yourself: they lag, most charge a fee, and they still can't mirror DRM apps. Fine for photos or a webpage, poor for streaming video.
- Use AirPlay instead. If your Hisense TV is a Google TV or newer model that lists AirPlay in its settings, mirror with AirPlay from the iPhone Control Center — no Chromecast needed.
For the full walk-through, see how to mirror your iPhone to a Hisense TV.
Android vs iPhone — what actually mirrors to Chromecast:
| Phone | Whole screen? | Cast video in apps? | Free? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android | Yes, native | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone / iPad | No (needs an app) | Yes | Casting is free; mirror apps often paid |
One catch: not every Hisense TV has Chromecast built-in — only the Google TV models do. Roku and VIDAA sets mirror differently. If yours is a Hisense Roku TV, our free browser Roku remote controls it from any device with no app to install. On VIDAA and Google TV sets, HiRemote covers the remote side.
Method 3: Use Chromecast built-in on a Hisense Google TV
Hisense Google TV models have Chromecast built in — no dongle required. The TV itself shows up as a cast target. Google documents the same setup in its Google TV help.
- Turn the TV on and confirm it's on the same Wi-Fi as your phone.
- On Android, start casting like in Method 1. Your TV's name appears in the device list.
- Pick the TV. Your screen shows up in a few seconds.
Not sure which Hisense you own? Here's the quick tell:
| Hisense OS | Chromecast built-in? | How to mirror |
|---|---|---|
| Google TV | Yes | Google Cast (this guide) |
| VIDAA U | No | Built-in screen sharing / AirPlay |
| Roku TV | No | Roku screen mirroring (Miracast) |
| Fire TV Edition | No | Display mirroring (Miracast) |
Still guessing? Compare them in VIDAA vs Roku TV vs Google TV.
Fix 1: Chromecast screen mirroring not working
Mirroring drops for a handful of boring reasons. Run these in order.
- Same Wi-Fi. Phone and Chromecast must share one network. A phone on 2.4GHz and a Chromecast on 5GHz of a split router sometimes can't see each other — join both to the same band.
- Power-cycle the Chromecast. Unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears most "device not found" errors.
- Update Google Home. An outdated app hides the cast button. Update it from the App Store or Play Store.
- Black screen on Netflix? That's DRM, not a bug. Cast inside the app with its Cast icon.
- Guest or work Wi-Fi. Networks with "AP isolation" block casting. Use your home network.
Chromecast needs Wi-Fi for this, but there are limited offline tricks — see can you screen mirror without Wi-Fi. Google's own Chromecast Help covers device-specific errors too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you screen mirror an iPhone to a Chromecast?
Not the whole screen — iOS has no built-in Google Cast and Chromecast doesn't support AirPlay. You can cast video inside apps like YouTube or Netflix using their Cast button, which is free. To mirror your full screen, you need a third-party App Store app, and those usually lag and charge a fee.
How do I screen mirror to Chromecast for free?
On Android it's free and native: open Google Home, tap your device, then tap Cast my screen. On iPhone, casting video inside apps is free, but full-screen mirroring apps usually cost money. Both devices must sit on the same Wi-Fi network for any of it to work.
Why is my Chromecast screen mirroring not working?
The usual cause is a Wi-Fi mismatch — your phone and Chromecast are on different networks or bands. Put both on the same Wi-Fi, then power-cycle the Chromecast for 10 seconds. Guest networks with AP isolation and outdated Google Home apps also block mirroring. A Netflix black screen is DRM — cast inside the app instead.
Does Chromecast screen mirroring work without Wi-Fi?
No — standard Chromecast mirroring needs both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. Chromecast has no direct phone-to-device mode like Miracast. Your only offline-ish path is a Chromecast with Google TV in guest mode, or switching to a Miracast device. Most people just need to join the right Wi-Fi.
Do Hisense Google TVs have Chromecast built-in?
Yes — Hisense Google TV models include Chromecast built-in, so you cast straight to the TV with no dongle. Hisense VIDAA, Roku, and Fire TV Edition sets do not use Google Cast; they use their own screen sharing or Miracast. Check your home screen or settings menu to confirm which OS you have.
Can you mirror your whole screen to Chromecast?
Yes on Android — the Cast my screen option mirrors everything, including apps and your home screen. On iPhone you cannot mirror the whole screen to a plain Chromecast without a third-party app. If you only need one video on the TV, use the app's Cast button instead of full mirroring.
