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Miracast vs Chromecast: which one does your phone actually have?

Last reviewed

What is the difference between Miracast and Chromecast?

Miracast makes a direct phone-to-TV link, like a wireless HDMI cable. Google Cast routes through your Wi-Fi router and lets the TV fetch the content itself. The practical difference is not quality - it is that most phones and most TVs support only one of the two, and they have to match.

How Miracast and Google Cast route traffic differentlyMiracast makes a direct link from the phone to the television, with no router involved, so it works without internet but is affected by walls and distance. Google Cast sends the request through your Wi-Fi router and the television then fetches the content itself, which needs both a router and an internet connection but leaves the phone free to do other things.MiracastYour phonedirect link, no routerYour TVWorks without internet: Yes · Walls and distance: NoticeablyGoogle CastYour phoneWi-Fi routerYour TVRouter required: Yes · The TV then fetches the content itselfwhich is why your phone stays free, and why it needs the internet
Four rows in the table below are consequences of this one difference. A direct link needs no router and works with the internet down, but walls and distance weaken it. Going through the router costs you both of those and buys back the use of your phone.
MiracastGoogle Cast
How it connectsDirect device to deviceThrough your Wi-Fi router
Router requiredNoYes
Mirrors the whole screenYesYes
Phone can be used for other thingsNo, it is mirroringYes, when casting rather than mirroring
Affected by walls and distanceNoticeablyLess so
Android phones that support itSamsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, realme, vivo, HuaweiEvery phone with Google services
TVs that accept itSamsung, LG, Roku, Fire TV, Hisense VIDAAGoogle TV, Android TV, Vizio, Chromecast
Works without internetYesNo

Choose Miracast if

  • Your TV is a Samsung, LG, Roku or Fire TV - none of them accept Google Cast
  • There is no Wi-Fi network available at all
  • You need to show an app that has no cast button of its own

Choose Google Cast if

  • You have a Pixel, or a current OnePlus or Motorola - they have no Miracast sender
  • Your TV runs Google TV or Android TV, or is a Vizio
  • You want to keep using your phone while something plays on the TV

The verdict

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Which one applies to you?

The checker tells you what your phone and TV actually support, which decides the answer above.

Check compatibilityGet it on Google Play