How to Use Your Chromebook With Chromecast

The beauty of a Chromebook is that Google Chrome OS has built-in support for Chromecast devices, meaning you don’t need a browser or an extension to cast your Chromebook's screen. Here's how to use Chromecast with your Chromebook.

Before You Start

To get started, have Chromecast installed and streaming your content. Then, make sure your Chromecast is updated to the latest firmware. Your Chromebook should also be updated to the latest version of Chrome OS.

Having a Chromecast already connected to your TV also means you don’t need to physically connect your Chromebook to view media. Without a Chromecast, you’re forced to drape an HDMI cable from your Chromebook to your TV. You may even need a USB-C adapter, depending on the Chromebook model.

How to Cast Your Chromebook Screen

Built-in Cast support in Chrome OS means you can simply click a button and your desktop casts to a Chromecast. This is probably the easiest, shortest way to get media onto your TV.

1. Click the shelf's system clock located in the bottom right corner.

2. A pop-up menu appears. Click Cast.

3. Choose your Chromecast device. In this example, it’s connected to the TV Room TV already established in Google Home.

4. In the following pop-up window, click your desktop screen, then click Share.

How to Stop Casting Your Chromebook Screen

When you're done, you'll need to manually stop casting from the Chromebook. Just click the system clock on your Chromebook again, then click Stop from the casting card that opens at the top of the menu.

Cast From Google Chrome and Mirror Chromecast to TV

Technically you don’t need this method if you’re casting from the desktop. Still, if you’d rather not share the entire screen, casting from within Google Chrome works too.

1. Open Google Chrome and load the media you want to cast.

2. Click the three-dot icon located in the top right corner.

3. Click Cast in the drop-down menu.

4. Choose your Chromecast device listed on the following menu. In this example, Chromebook casting to the TV Room TV already established in Google Home.

   The Cast icon temporarily appears on the Chrome toolbar while casting. If you want to keep this icon on the toolbar, right-click it, then click Always Show Icon.

5. To stop casting, click the blue Cast icon displayed on the Google Chrome toolbar, then click your Chromecast device listed on the drop-down menu. 

How to Cast From Apps Using Chromebook and Chromecast

Again, if you don’t want to share your entire desktop screen, the next approach is to cast from within a specific service. You don’t need to start media playback before casting from the app, just click the Cast icon to get started.

How to Cast From Netflix

In Netflix, you’ll need to load the media's home page first before casting. For instance, if you load the landing page for The Witcher, you'll see the Cast icon located in the bottom right corner.