Casting a Chrome tab or entire desktop

You can cast a tab or your desktop from Chrome browser to your TV using your Chromecast device (Chromecast, Chromecast Ultra, TVs with Chromecast built in).

By casting a Chrome browser tab, you can mirror what's displaying on your computer screen onto the TV. To get started, make sure that you're fully set up to use Chromecast with Chrome.

Step 1: Set up casting from Chrome

Step 2: Cast a tab from Chrome

There are several ways to cast content from Chrome. 

Option 1. From the Cast toolbar button Option 2. From a Chromecast-enabled site Option 3. From Chrome Setting menu Option 4. From a web page in Chrome

Casting your laptop/desktop content

You can cast your desktop/laptop content (vs just the specific Chrome tab). This is available on Mac, Windows and Chrome OS.
Important note on audio: Note that you can only cast your desktop audio from Windows. If you cast your desktop from a Mac or Chrome OS computer, you’ll see the contents of your screen on your TV but won’t be able to hear any audio from your computer.

To cast a tab or desktop from Chrome Setting menu,

1. If you’ve pinned the Cast button to your toolbar, click the Cast button in the Chrome toolbar (upper-right corner) of your browser. Otherwise, navigate to the Chrome Settings menu in  the Chrome toolbar in the upper-right corner of your browser > click 'Cast..'.
   
2. Next to where it says, 'Cast to …', you’ll see a small drop-down. Click on that to change the source selection.
3. Click Cast desktop.
   
4. Choose the Chromecast device that you want to cast to.

 

That's it – you're ready to go! If you need more information, take a look at one of the following:

• Casting a Tab explains how to cast an entire tab of Chrome onto your TV.
• Chromecast-enabled site vs. Casting a tab explains the differences between a Chromecast-enabled site, such as youtube.com and netflix.com and general content that you'll find on the web.
• Find out how to Cast to Hangouts and Cloud Services from Chrome.

If you're having trouble, please try our Chromecast troubleshooting tips.

How to know when content is casting

The Cast button will automatically appear in your Chrome toolbar and turn blue   when it’s active. You'll also see a glow around the icon of the tab being cast.

What can be cast

You can cast most web content. Sites using plug-ins such as Silverlight, Quicktime & VLC aren’t supported and may result in a lack of sound.

Audio and video

You’ll see video and images for the selected tab on your computer and TV. However, you’ll only hear sound from the selected tab on your TV. Note: Sounds for other tabs and applications will continue to play on your computer.

If my Chromecast is currently in use

After opening the menu or selecting the device, you’ll see a short description of Chromecast’s current activity. Click the Cast this Tab button to stop what’s showing and cast the current tab instead.

Shortcuts available

• Switch to other tabs and/or applications while casting using the Alt-Tab (Mac: Command-Tab) keyboard shortcut.
• Close the Cast dialogue to return to the original tab.
• Mute what’s casting to your TV by clicking the mute button. Note: This is not the same as your TV's mute function. You need to unmute from Chrome to hear sound on your TV.
• Click the Stop button or close the tab to stop casting.
• More keyboard shortcuts can be found in the Chromecast Forum.