Apple and Google offer remarkable tech products for TV interaction, but using a Chromecast with an iPhone requires specific apps for screen mirroring and casting. The article reviews several top Chromecast apps for iPhone, including DoCast, Google Home, TV Cast Chromecast, Screen Mirroring on Chromecast, iWebTV, Smart View Cast, Replica, and Web Video Cast. DoCast stands out as the best overall for its user-friendly, ad-free, and feature-rich platform. Stay tuned for a detailed tutorial in the next forum post on choosing and using these apps to get the most out of your Chromecast experience.
Hey everyone! If you’re into streaming on your TV and own an iPhone, you’ll need some great apps to make your Chromecast experience a breeze. Let’s dive into some of the top apps for casting and screen mirroring!
Best Free Chromecast Apps for iPhone
Using Chromecast with an iPhone isn’t as seamless as we’d like, but these apps can help bridge the gap. Here are a few popular choices:
1. DoCast
DoCast is a handy, user-friendly, and totally free app that’s perfect for screen mirroring and personal content casting. It’s ad-free and offers a solid performance.
Here’s how to use DoCast:
- Download DoCast on your iPhone.
- Open the app and wait for it to find your Chromecast (make sure both are on the same Wi-Fi network).
- Tap your Chromecast device.
- Tap ‘Screen’ to start mirroring.
- Customize your settings and hit the red button at the bottom.
- Tap ‘Start Broadcast’ and you’re good to go!
Pros:
- Super easy to use
- Generous free version
- Zero delay
- Both mirroring and casting features included
Cons:
- No in-app browser
- Only works with Chromecast
DoCast also supports Fire TV and FireStick in the same way. The premium version starts at $1.99/week with a lifetime upgrade at $19.99.
App Store Rating: 5.0/5
Our Rating: 4.9/5
Supported Devices:
- iOS 15.0+
- iPadOS 15.0+
Pricing:
- Free trial
- $1.99 per week
- $3.99 per month
- $14.99 per year
- $19.99 lifetime
2. Google Chromecast App – Google Home
The Google Home app is essential for setting up your Chromecast. It works great for linking streaming services like Hulu, Spotify, and HBO Max.
Pros:
- First-party support
- Essential for setting up Chromecast
- 100% free
Cons:
- Only works with supported apps
- No screen mirroring for iPhone
- Can’t cast personal content
App Store Rating: 4.5/5
Our Rating: 4.0/5
Supported Devices:
- iOS 15.0+
- iPadOS 15.0+
Pricing:
- Free
3. TV Cast Chromecast
TV Cast Chromecast offers an in-app web browser for finding content that’s not on major streaming platforms. However, screen mirroring options require a separate app.
Pros:
- In-app web browser
- Affordable premium version
- Purchase individual premium features
Cons:
- Ads in the free version
- Limited casting and mirroring unless upgraded
- Mirroring needs separate app
App Store Rating: 4.0/5
Our Rating: 4.0/5
Supported Devices:
- iOS 10.0+
- iPadOS 10.0+
- macOS 11.0+ (with M1 chip or later)
Pricing:
- $6.99 premium (one-time payment)
4. Screen Mirroring on Chromecast
AirBeamTV’s Screen Mirroring on Chromecast offers in-app browsing and personal media sharing. However, the premium version is pricier at $14.99/year or $24.99 for a lifetime license.
Pros:
- In-app web browser with tabs
- Single app for mirroring and casting
- Includes additional peaceful content
Cons:
- High-cost premium upgrade
- Limited free version
- Nothing to differentiate it from competitors
App Store Rating: 3.7/5
Our Rating: 3.0/5
Supported Devices:
- iOS 13.0+
- iPadOS 13.0+
Pricing:
- Free trial
- $2.49 per month
- $11.99 per year
- $24.99 lifetime
5. iWebTV: Cast Web Videos to TV
iWebTV is great for casting web videos but lacks mirroring features. It leads you straight to an in-app browser to find content to cast.
Pros:
- Easy app navigation
- Cheap premium version ($0.99/month or $6.99 lifetime)
- Available on desktop
Cons:
- Only casts web videos
- Frequent video ads
- Not full HD unless you upgrade
App Store Rating: 4.7/5
Our Rating: 4.0/5
Supported Devices:
- iOS 13.0+
- iPadOS 13.0+
- tvOS 11.0+
Pricing:
- Free trial
- $9.99 lifetime upgrade
6. Screen Mirror・Smart View Cast
This app offers multiple features for free, including screen mirroring and personal video casting, but requires a pricey upgrade for additional functions.
Pros:
- In-app YouTube link
- Can cast web images
- IPTV casting
Cons:
- Expensive premium version
- Must upgrade for web video casting
- Delays in free version
App Store Rating: 4.7/5
Our Rating: 3.0/5
Supported Devices:
- iOS 14.0+
Pricing:
- Free trial
- $9.99 per month
- $39.99 lifetime
7. Replica
Replica has a ton of features like an in-app browser and screen mirroring, plus a sketch pad and an intercom for meetings. It’s pretty neat!
Pros:
- Sketch pad and intercom
- Ultra-stable casting/mirroring
- Super user-friendly
Cons:
- Pricey annual sub
- Gotta upgrade for intercom
- Lots of ads
So Replica is pretty top-notch for screen mirroring and casting. The price is a bit high—$29.99 yearly or $49.99 one-time—but they often do discounts, like 50% or more. It’s packed with features and super stable, which is great.
Ratings:
- App Store: 4.3/5
- Our Rating: 4.0/5
Supported Devices:
- iOS 15.0+
- iPadOS 15.0+
- macOS 12.0+, Mac with M1 chip or later
Pricing:
- Free trial
- $2.99 per week
- $29.99 per year
- $49.99 lifetime
8. Web Video Cast | Browser to TV
Web Video Cast is cool because it’s a dedicated browser with casting features. It also has IPTV and can cast personal media to Chromecast.
Pros:
- IPTV and personal media casting
- Simple design
- Only $4.99 one-time
Cons:
- No screen mirroring
- Doesn’t support some audio formats
- Constant ads unless you upgrade
Web Video Cast improves on the iWebTV idea and is affordable with a $4.99 one-time upgrade. However, it doesn’t support some audio codecs, so you might need Bluetooth speakers or headphones for watching videos.
Ratings:
- App Store: 4.8/5
- Our Rating: 3.0/5
Supported Devices:
- iOS 14.0+
- iPadOS 14.0+
- macOS 11.0+, Mac with M1 chip or later
Pricing:
- Free trial
- $4.99 lifetime
How to Choose the Best Chromecast App for iPhone
There are tons of casting apps out there, so picking the right one can be a bit tricky. It really comes down to what you need. For example, if you watch a lot of web content, Web Video Cast might be your best bet. If you want a feature-packed app, DoCast’s got you covered.
Keep an eye on features, price, and how user-friendly the app is. If something like Replica is too expensive, you might want to look at TV Cast Chromecast.
Comparing the Best Chromecast Apps
Here’s a side-by-side look at the pros and cons of various free iPhone apps for casting and mirroring to Chromecast devices.
App | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
DoCast | - Mirroring and casting in one app - No delay - Generous free version - Simple platform |
- No in-app browser - Only casts to Chromecast |
Google Home | - First-party support - Used to set up Chromecast device - Totally free app |
- Only works with supported applications - No screen mirroring for iPhone - Can’t cast personal content |
TV Cast Chromecast | - In-app web browser - Affordable premium edition - Purchase individual premium features |
- Intrusive advertisements - Limited casting/mirroring unless upgraded - Mirroring redirects to separate app |
Screen Mirroring on Chromecast | - In-app web browser with tabs - Screen mirroring and casting in one app - Additional content included |
- Expensive premium option - Limited free version, no audio - No unique features |
iWebTV | - Intuitive app navigation - $0.99/month or $6.99 lifetime premium - Desktop availability |
- No features except casting web videos - Frequent video ads - Not full HD unless you upgrade |
Smart View Cast | - Dedicated in-app YouTube link - Can cast web-based images - IPTV casting |
- Expensive premium version - Must upgrade for web-based video casting - Delays in free version |
Replica | - Sketch pad and intercom features - Ultra-stable casting/mirroring - Easy-to-use interface |
- Expensive annual sub - Upgrade needed for intercom - Constant ads |
**Web Video Cast | Browser to TV** | - IPTV and personal media casting - Simple design - Only $4.99 one-time |
Wrapping Up
These free Chromecast apps for iPhone can really help you get the most out of your TV. But they’re not all the same. Some, like iWebTV, stick to browsing. Others, like Screen Mirroring on Chromecast, have more features but might be pricier.
In our tests, DoCast was the best. It lets you cast and mirror for free, with extra features for premium users like a sketch pad and intercom.
Hope this helps!