If you want to watch live TV on the big screen, casting it to your Chromecast or Smart TV is the easiest way to go. You do not need an aerial or an expensive cable subscription. As long as you have a stable Wi-Fi connection and a compatible device, you can stream everything from news to documentaries directly to your living room.
What You Need to Cast
Casting is a method of sending a video feed from your phone, tablet, or laptop over your home Wi-Fi network to your television. To do this, you need:
- A sender device: Your smartphone or a computer running a modern browser like Google Chrome or Safari.
- A receiver: A Google Chromecast dongle, an Apple TV, or a modern Smart TV with built-in casting capabilities (like Android TV or webOS).
- The same Wi-Fi network: Both devices must be connected to the exact same Wi-Fi router.
How to Cast from Android or Chrome
Google's Cast technology is built directly into the Chrome browser and most Android phones.
- From a Laptop (Chrome): Open the live stream you want to watch. Click the three dots in the top right corner of Chrome and select Cast.... Choose your living room TV from the list. The video will appear on your TV.
- From an Android Phone: When playing a video in full screen, look for the small square "Cast" icon. Alternatively, you can use the Google Home app to mirror your entire screen.
How to Cast via AirPlay (Apple Devices)
If you use an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you will use Apple's AirPlay technology.
- From an iPhone/iPad: Start playing a channel (for example, a French channel). Tap the AirPlay icon in the video player or open your Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring. Select your Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible Smart TV.
- From a Mac: Click the Control Center icon in the top right of your menu bar, select Screen Mirroring, and choose your TV.
Troubleshooting Casting Issues
| Problem | Potential Fix |
|---|---|
| TV not showing up | Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. |
| Video is stuttering | Move your router closer to the TV or check our buffering guide. |
| Audio is out of sync | Restart the video stream or reboot your Chromecast/Apple TV. |
When casting, the heavy lifting is done by your TV's internet connection. If your stream keeps pausing, it might be an issue with your TV's Wi-Fi reception rather than your phone.
FAQ: Casting Live TV
Does casting drain my phone battery? If you use native Chromecast or AirPlay buttons, your TV takes over the stream directly from the internet, which saves your phone battery. If you are mirroring your entire screen, it will drain your battery very quickly.
Can I cast geo-blocked channels? If a channel is geo-blocked on your phone, it will also be geo-blocked on your TV. The same broadcasting rules apply regardless of the screen size.
Do I need a Smart TV to do this? No, a basic TV with an HDMI port and a standard Google Chromecast dongle (which costs around $30) works perfectly.
Ready to put it on the big screen? Find a live channel on whichTV and start casting now.