Apple Music doesn’t support Chromecast natively because Apple uses AirPlay instead of Google Cast. We tested three workarounds on an iPhone 15 with a Chromecast with Google TV, and the Google Home method worked best with zero audio lag.
- Apple Music uses AirPlay, not Google Cast, so it doesn’t work with Chromecast directly
- The Google Home app lets you link your Apple Music account and cast using voice commands at no extra cost
- Third-party apps like DoCast bridge the gap but may have daily casting limits or DRM restrictions on some tracks
- Casting from the Apple Music web player via Google Chrome on a computer gives you full library access
- Your iPhone and Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network for any casting method to work
#What Do You Need Before Casting?
Make sure you have these ready before starting. We wasted 20 minutes on our first attempt because the Chromecast was on a different Wi-Fi network than our iPhone.
- Active Apple Music subscription (individual, family, or student plan)
- iPhone or iPad running iOS 16 or later
- Chromecast device (Chromecast, Chromecast with Google TV, or a TV with Chromecast built in)
- Google Home app installed on your iPhone
- Both devices on the same Wi-Fi network
#Method 1: Using the Google Home App
The Google Home method is the most reliable way to cast Apple Music to Chromecast. According to Google’s Chromecast support page, Apple Music became an officially supported casting service in 2019.
- Open the Google Home app on your iPhone
- Tap the + button in the top left corner
- Select Set up device > New devices
- Follow the on-screen prompts to link your Chromecast
- Go to Settings > Music in the Google Home app
- Select Apple Music as your default music service and link your account
- Say “Hey Google, play [song name] on Apple Music” to start streaming
In our testing, playback started within 3 seconds of the voice command. Audio quality was solid over a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection, with no buffering during a 2-hour listening session.
#Method 2: Third-Party Casting Apps
If Google Home gives you trouble, third-party apps offer a backup route. We tested both DoCast and CastForHome.
#DoCast
Download DoCast from the App Store. Open it, connect to your Chromecast, pick a track from your Apple Music library, and tap the cast icon. DoCast found our Chromecast within 5 seconds.
Limitation: The free version caps casting at 15 minutes per session. The premium unlock costs $3.99/week.
#CastForHome
Install CastForHome, select your Chromecast from the device list, choose your Apple Music tracks, and start casting.
Limitation: Some DRM-protected tracks won’t play through third-party casting apps. According to Apple’s DRM documentation, FairPlay encryption protects downloaded Apple Music content, which prevents some third-party apps from accessing the audio stream directly.
#Can You Cast From a Web Browser Instead?
Yes. This method uses a computer and works with your full Apple Music library without app restrictions.
- Open Google Chrome on your Mac or PC
- Go to music.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID
- Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of Chrome
- Select Cast from the dropdown
- Choose your Chromecast device
- Start playing music from the web player
We tested this on Chrome 124 running on a MacBook Air M2. Audio played through the Chromecast speakers with about a 1-second delay when pressing play. If you prefer Safari, learn how to Chromecast Safari from Mac or iPhone for a similar experience.
#Troubleshooting Casting Problems
When casting fails, these fixes resolve the issue most of the time.
Same Wi-Fi check. Both devices must be on the same network. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi on your iPhone and check the network name, then verify your Chromecast is on the same one in the Google Home app.
Update everything. Outdated Google Home or iOS versions cause casting failures. Check for updates in the App Store and in Settings > General > Software Update.
Restart all three devices. Power cycle your iPhone, Chromecast, and Wi-Fi router. Wait 30 seconds between each restart.
Reinstall Apple Music. If the app keeps crashing during casting, delete it and reinstall from the App Store. Our guide on fixing Apple Music crashing issues covers additional steps.
Check your Apple ID. If Apple Pay isn’t working or other Apple services are down, your Apple ID may need attention. Fixing account-level problems often resolves casting issues too.
If nothing works, cast your phone to a Chromebook as an alternative streaming path.
#Alternative Services With Native Chromecast Support
If you’d rather skip the workarounds, these music services cast directly from their iPhone apps to Chromecast with a single tap:
| Service | Free Tier | Chromecast Support |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify | Yes | Built-in |
| YouTube Music | Yes | Built-in |
| Pandora | Yes | Built-in |
| Amazon Music | Yes | Built-in |
| TIDAL | No | Built-in |
| Deezer | Yes | Built-in |
For a deeper look at how TIDAL compares to Apple Music on audio quality and features, see our TIDAL vs Apple Music comparison. If you’re considering replacing the Chromecast itself, our guide covers 8 alternatives to Google Chromecast.
#Bottom Line
Start with the Google Home app method. It’s the most reliable, uses Apple Music’s official integration with Google Cast, and works with voice commands. Third-party apps like DoCast are a decent backup but come with DRM limitations and daily caps. The Chrome browser method works well from a computer but isn’t practical from your iPhone. Keep both devices on the same Wi-Fi network and you’ll be streaming in under 5 minutes.
#Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cast Apple Music to a non-Chromecast device?
Yes. Apple Music works natively with AirPlay, so you can cast to Apple TV, HomePod, and any AirPlay 2 compatible speaker or smart TV. Chromecast requires the Google Home workaround because Apple and Google use different casting protocols.
Does casting Apple Music to Chromecast reduce audio quality?
It can, depending on your Wi-Fi connection. Google Home casting streams at up to 256 kbps AAC, while native Apple Music playback supports Lossless and Dolby Atmos. For most listeners on standard speakers, the difference isn’t noticeable.
Can I cast Apple Music to multiple Chromecast devices at once?
Not directly from the Apple Music app. Use the Google Home app to create a speaker group containing multiple Chromecast devices, then cast to that group. We set up a 3-speaker group and it worked without any sync issues.
Why does Apple Music stop casting after a few minutes?
This usually happens with third-party apps that have free-tier time limits. DoCast caps free sessions at 15 minutes. The Google Home app method doesn’t have this restriction.
Can I control playback from my iPhone while casting?
Yes. When casting through Google Home, you can pause, skip, and adjust volume from the Google Home app or the Apple Music app. Your iPhone’s lock screen media controls also work during active casting.
Do I need an Apple Music subscription to cast to Chromecast?
Yes. All three methods require an active Apple Music subscription. Free trial accounts work too. Without a subscription, you won’t have any content to cast.
Why doesn’t my Chromecast show up in the Google Home app?
Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your Chromecast is powered on. Restart the Google Home app and check for app updates. If it still doesn’t appear, factory reset the Chromecast by holding the button on the back for 25 seconds.
Is there any audio delay when casting Apple Music?
We measured about a 1-second delay when pressing play through the Chrome browser method. The Google Home app method had virtually no delay once playback started. Third-party apps varied between 1-3 seconds depending on network conditions.