How to Watch YouTube on Your TV From Your Phone

You can send YouTube videos from your phone to your TV screen in seconds using Chromecast, AirPlay, or the YouTube app built into smart TVs.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Check if your TV has YouTube built in
2.Cast from your Android phone using the YouTube app
3.Cast from iPhone using AirPlay
4.Use a YouTube code to link your phone and TV

Check if your TV has YouTube built in

~37s

Most smart TVs made in the last 5 years have a YouTube app pre-installed. Use your TV remote to find the app launcher — usually a home button or apps button. Look for the red YouTube icon. If you see it, open it and sign into your Google account to access your subscriptions and watch history. If you don't have a YouTube app, your TV may have a built-in web browser you can use instead — look in the smart TV menu.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Signing into YouTube on your TV with the same Google account you use on your phone means your watch history and subscriptions are the same on both devices.

Cast from your Android phone using the YouTube app

~35s

On Android: open the YouTube app, start any video, and tap the cast icon — a small rectangle with a Wi-Fi signal in the corner. It appears at the top right of the video player. Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. A list of available devices appears — tap your TV or Chromecast. The video begins playing on the TV. You can still control playback (play, pause, volume) from your phone even after it locks.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: You can keep using your phone for other things while the video plays on TV — it works like a remote control.

Cast from iPhone using AirPlay

~34s

On iPhone: open YouTube and start a video. Tap the AirPlay icon (looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom) — or tap the video to see controls and look for the AirPlay/Cast icon. Select your Apple TV or AirPlay 2-compatible TV from the list. Your iPhone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. The video plays on the big screen.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: If you don't see an AirPlay option, try opening Control Center (swipe down from the top right of your iPhone screen), tap "Screen Mirroring," and select your TV. This mirrors your entire phone screen — not just YouTube.

Use a YouTube code to link your phone and TV

~25s

Another option: open YouTube on your smart TV and go to SettingsSign in or Link TV. The TV shows a code. On your phone, open youtube.com/activate and enter that code. Now your phone becomes a remote for YouTube on TV — you can search and browse on your phone and the video plays on the big screen. This works on any YouTube-capable TV without needing Chromecast or AirPlay.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Watch YouTube on Your TV From Your Phone

Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

YouTube has billions of videos — tutorials, music, news, cooking shows, travel videos, and much more. While watching on a phone or tablet is fine for short clips, bigger-screen viewing on your TV makes the experience much more enjoyable for cooking guides, exercise videos, or anything you want to share with family.

There are three main ways to get YouTube onto your TV: using the YouTube app if your TV is a smart TV, casting from your phone using Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV, or using AirPlay if you have an Apple TV or AirPlay 2-compatible TV and an iPhone. All three methods are wireless — no cables needed once set up.

This guide covers the most common options so you can choose the one that matches your setup.

Rate this guide

How helpful was this guide?

youtube

cast to tv

chromecast

airplay

smart tv

streaming