Screen mirroring iPhone to a Chromecast shouldn’t be a pain in the neck, but the lack of support between Google and Apple makes the process a bit more involved. In this article, we discuss how iPhone users can connect and mirror their screens to a Chromecast without complicated settings changes or funky workarounds.
Is There Native Support?
Apple and Google have had a somewhat tense relationship with each company producing competing products since the early 2010s. That tension leads to some technology that doesn’t play well together, such as Apple’s AirPlay and Google’s Chromecast.
As a result of competition, there is no native support to mirror iPhone screen to Chromecast without using a third-party app. A third-party Chromecast iPhone app bridges the technological gap between the two companies, allowing users to mirror their phone screens while offering a handful of complimentary features.
What You Need to Know About Mirroring Apps
Third-party apps are the only solution iPhone owners have for mirroring their phone’s screen or casting content to a bigger screen. Although these apps facilitate a connection between iPhone and Chromecast, there are a few things to be aware of before downloading.
First, third-party apps don’t support major streaming network casting. That means Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max won’t work on apps like Replica or TV Mirror+. Instead, you must use the Google Home app, which enables casting only from supported services but not mirroring.
Secondly, third-party apps have limited support for free versions. Many screen mirroring apps allow users to sample their services, providing limited mirroring time or including frequent ads. You’ll feel compelled to upgrade just to escape the constant popups.
Third, some third-party apps are hit-or-miss platforms. That means you could run into stability issues, connection failures, or sudden loss of mirroring, which can be incredibly frustrating for anyone using them as a way to give presentations or kick back after a hard day.
Lastly, while there are some drawbacks to using a third-party solution, many offer additional capabilities that complement their main features. For example, while a third-party app can screen mirror, it may also have an in-app browser for web-based video casting.
Ways to Mirror iPhone to Chromecast
Now that we have reviewed some disclaimers, you may still want to know how to mirror iPhone to Chromecast. These methods give iPhone users the tools they need in order to mirror their phones or cast web or personal content, and we break down how to use each one.
1. Use Google Home to Cast iPhone to Chromecast
As mentioned, Google Home is the only method of casting first-party streaming content from an iPhone or iPad to Chromecast. It’s also the required app for your Chromecast’s initial installation, forcing every iPhone and Android user to download it.
Download the Google Home app from the App Store and sign in with your Google account info. Once you download the app and sign in, you can add a new device by tapping the “Plus” sign in the upper left-hand corner and selecting “Add device”.
The Google Home app is pretty good about walking you through the steps for Chromecast’s initial setup. Follow each page’s instructions as you tap through to complete the installation and get started casting.
After you set up Chromecast and it’s ready to go, navigate to a supported streaming app like Disney+. To cast content, tap the casting button in the upper right-hand corner and select your Chromecast. Once casting, you’ll have media control options and episode selection tools.
2. Replica
This popular iPhone app offers screen mirroring capabilities, along with a host of additional features to expand its functionality. Those features include an in-app browser for web-based content, direct links to supported websites like Vimeo, and the ability to cast and mirror personal images and home movies.
Using Replica is very straightforward. Simply download the app from the Apple App Store and follow these steps:
Step 1: Download the app and ensure the Wi-Fi connection is the same as your Chromecast device. You may also receive a prompt to allow notifications and to connect to devices on the same Internet network.
Step 2: After installation and connection, you can select between screen mirroring, web browser, and other features. Select the screen mirroring option, and choose start broadcast.
Step 3: To stop the broadcast, return to the app, tap on screen mirroring, and then stop the broadcast.
While Replica offers plenty of support for web content and personal media, it does charge for premium features, such as removing time limits. The premium app upgrade charge can be a bit steep for some, with a yearly rate of $29.99 or a one-time purchase of $49.99.
3. TV Mirror+ for Chromecast
TV Mirror+ for Chromecast has only one job, but it does that job well. Where other third-party solutions try to stuff additional features to make up for the cost, TV Mirror+ only provides mirroring from iPhones to Chromecast devices but does so at a very affordable $3.99 one-time purchase.
Using TV Mirror+ to connect to a Chromecast is equally simple. Follow these instructions to start mirroring:
Step 1: Download the TV Mirror+ app from the App Store.
Step 2: Allow the app to connect to your local Wi-Fi network, accept notifications, and connect to devices on the network.
Step 2: Select your Chromecast device and tap the TV mirror button. Like Replica, you will see a pop-up box to start the broadcast. Return to this page and click stop broadcast to end screen mirroring.
TV Mirror+’s single main feature makes it an attractive solution for iPhone users who don’t need a lot of filler and want something that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Despite its simplicity, there are stability concerns iPhone users should be aware of, causing users to force close in order for the app to work.
4. iWebTV
iWebTV is a feature-packed third-party mirroring solution for iPhone users, but it doesn’t just mirror your screen; it can cast those videos to your Chromecast for higher-quality viewing. Like Replica, iWebTV offers an in-app browser, and you can even utilize multi-tab browsing, which isn’t available through other apps.
Using iWebTV is also straightforward, and here’s how you can make it work with your iPhone:
Step 1: Install iWebTV from the App Store and follow the instructions to connect your Chromecast device. That includes allowing access to the Wi-Fi network and receiving notifications.
Step 2: Use the in-app web browser to navigate to videos of your choice.
Step 3: Use the cast button to send videos from your iPhone to your Chromecast. While it’s not a perfect mirror, the ability to watch videos from around the web is invaluable.
iWebTV also has premium features that require users to pay to unlock. These features include HD and 4K video quality, an ad-blocker, and access to your browsing history. Unfortunately, iWebTV charges for each feature individually, meaning you could spend a pretty penny to get everything you need.
5. Streamer for Chromecast TVs
Another third-party solution for iPhone users looking to mirror their screen to a Chromecast is the Stream for Chromecast TVs app. The Chromecast Streamer app provides real-time video mirroring in high definition and allows you to mirror from an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or even your DSLR Camera.
To get your phone to cast or mirror content on the Streamer for Chromecast TVs app, use these instructions:
Step 1: Download the app from the App Store.
Step 2: Allow the app to connect to your Wi-Fi network and send notifications.
Step 3: Select the screen mirror feature, then select your Chromecast from the options available. Tap start broadcast to start your mirroring session.
Streamer for Chromecast TVs offers premium features, but you can purchase a one-time license for only $19.99 or pay $3.99 for a month of use if the one-time is too rich for your blood. Although pricey, it sits nicely between TV Mirror+ and Replica in terms of price and included features.
Final Thoughts on Mirroring to Chromecast
Google and Apple’s tense working relationship means users must rely on third-party apps for iPhone screen mirroring or casting personal content to a Chromecast device. Although there are several solutions Apple owners can choose from, only a few offer the right intersection between affordability, included features, and usability.
There are many factors that could influence your decision to choose one app over another. During our testing, we found that the Streamer for Chromecast TVs offered the best combination of included features, price, and stability. Despite the lack of Chromecast AirPlay mirroring, iPhone users can still enjoy their favorite content on the big screen!
FAQs
Mirroring an iPhone to a Chromecast can seem a little complicated, but we’ve included some commonly asked questions and their answers to help make it easier!
