How to Cast YouTube to Your TV

Casting sends the video to the TV and turns your phone or computer into the remote. It works with Chromecast, Google TV and Android TV devices, and smart TVs that have the YouTube app built in.

Put both devices on the same Wi-Fi

Connect the phone or computer and the TV to the same Wi-Fi network. Turn the TV on. On a smart TV, open the YouTube app once so the TV shows up as a cast target.

Tap the Cast icon

Play a video. In the phone app, tap the video to show the controls and tap the Cast icon (a rectangle with curved lines in the corner) at the top. On the website in Chrome, click the Cast icon in the bottom control bar of the player.

Pick the TV

Choose the TV from the list. The video starts on the TV within a few seconds. Use the phone to pause, skip ahead, and change the volume. The video keeps playing on the TV if you lock the phone.

Use AirPlay for Apple TV

On an iPhone or iPad, tap the Cast icon and choose AirPlay & Bluetooth devices, then pick the Apple TV. The video plays on the TV and your phone stays the remote.

Link with a TV code if the TV does not appear

On the TV, open the YouTube app and go to Settings, then Link with TV code. A code appears on screen. On the phone, tap your profile picture, then Settings, then Watch on TV, then Enter TV code, and type the code. The TV now appears in the Cast list, even when the two devices are on different networks.

Stop casting

Tap the Cast icon again and choose the option to stop casting or disconnect. The TV returns to its home screen, and playback continues on the phone from where it left off.

Build a queue. While casting, tap the three-dot menu on any other video and choose Play next in queue or Add to queue. The TV plays through the queue in order, and anyone else on the same Wi-Fi with the YouTube app can add to it.

If the TV still does not show. Restart the TV and the phone, confirm both are on the same network and not a guest network, and make sure the YouTube app on the TV is up to date.