If your TV has Chromecast built-in, you can cast from your phone without plugging in any extra hardware, the feature is baked into the TV's system. The quickest way to confirm your TV has Chromecast built-in is to look for the Cast icon inside a video app or find the "Chromecast built-in" system app in your TV's settings; note that on newer models this app is renamed "Google Cast." Once confirmed, you can even Chromecast from phone to PC to mirror your mobile screen on a larger laptop display, and if you ever misplace the physical controller, you can still setup Chromecast without remote using the Google Home app.
How the Chromecast Built-In Check Works
Built-in Chromecast means the casting receiver lives inside your TV's firmware, not in a dongle. You're looking for one of two things: a system app that handles incoming casts, or the Cast icon that appears inside compatible apps. Either one confirms you're ready to stream from your phone, tablet, or laptop without buying anything.
Look for the Cast Icon Inside Your Apps
The fastest visual test is to open a casting-compatible app on your TV, YouTube, YouTube Music, Netflix, or Spotify all work. Look for the Cast icon, which per Google's official design checklist is a rectangle with a Wi-Fi signal in the lower-left corner. If you see that icon on your TV screen, your TV has Google Cast built in. This is the same icon you'd see on a physical Chromecast dongle, so its presence on your TV's interface is a definitive sign.
Find 'Chromecast Built-In' in the TV System Settings
For a definitive answer, go to your TV's settings menu. The exact path on most Google TV and Android TV models is: Settings → Apps → See all apps → Show system apps. Scroll through the list until you find an app named "Chromecast built-in" or "Google Cast." If you see it, your TV has the feature. If it's there but disabled, select it, then choose "Enable" and reboot your TV. This is the most reliable method because it checks the actual system components, not just visible shortcuts. On some TVs, you may need to scroll to the bottom of the app list after selecting "Show system apps" to find it.
Check for Dedicated Cast Buttons on the Remote
Many TV manufacturers add a physical shortcut for casting. Some Sony, TCL, and Hisense remotes include a dedicated "Apps" button that opens a casting menu. If you see a button with a screen-and-wi-fi symbol, that's a deliberate hardware signal from the manufacturer that built-in casting is supported. However, not all TVs with built-in Chromecast include this button, so its absence doesn't rule out the feature, it just makes this check inconclusive.
Using Sony and Other Brand-Specific Menus
Sony TVs have a dedicated path that's even faster: press the Home button, then go to [Setup] → [Network Settings] → [Chromecast built-in]. This menu lets you see the status, check for updates, and enable or disable the feature directly.
Reboot and Cast to Confirm
After you've enabled the Chromecast built-in app (if it was disabled), reboot your TV to ensure the change takes effect. Go to Settings → System → Reboot and wait for the TV to restart. Your TV should appear in the device list within a few seconds. If it shows up, you've confirmed the feature works end-to-end. If it doesn't appear, double-check that your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network and that the "Chromecast built-in" app is still enabled. This final test is the only way to be 100% sure the casting receiver is active and functional, not just present in the system files.
If you're using a Roku device, you can also Chromecast on Roku with a few extra steps.
