While Google Cast is mostly designed for casting media content such as movies and music, it's also one of the easiest ways to mirror a phone, tablet or computer on your TV. You can also buy a Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra dongle to add this functionality to a non-supported TV, or to improve your experience if your TV's Google Cast functionality isn't great. Google Cast is built into some smart TVs from many major brands, including Sony, Philips, Hisense and Sharp, among others. Works with Android, Windows, Mac, iPhone and iPad (provisionally).

How mirroring is handled depends on which mirroring protocol you're using, which device you're broadcasting from, and which smart TV or other device is acting as the receiver. Usually, the receiving TV shows an exact duplicate – visuals and sound – of what's on your broadcasting device. This means the original device is still doing all the processing and its screen usually needs to stay on, which can be a drain on the battery. 'Mirroring' is like using your smart TV as a display for a phone, tablet, PC or Mac. It's as if your phone or tablet tells the Chromecast what to do, and then the Chromecast goes ahead and does the legwork while the device you're casting from acts as a remote control. When 'casting' to another device, such as a Chromecast or Apple TV, that device takes over the job of showing videos, photos or music. Screen mirroring is technically not the same as casting, but it is another way of sharing content from one device to another and the two terms are often confused. Likewise, a search of app stores will turn up numerous other apps that can stream from computer to TV using the hardware listed above and the same basic ideas.

Some of these connect with different software, or work differently with your TV. Miracast, Amazon Fire Stick, and Roku are some other popular options. While we've shown some easy and popular methods for screen casting, there are plenty of other media devices out there, aside from Chromecast and Apple TV.

The paid version unlocks the ability to add subtitles and create playlists that auto-play the next video.

You can also download the Videostream app on Android or iOS to control video playback or select new videos from your phone or tablet, so long as Videostream is open on your computer. Videostream shares video to Chromecast via the Google Chrome web browser, which you will need installed on your computer. Windows PC or Mac with Google Chrome browser installed.Some paid features ($2 per month, $21 per year, or $49 for lifetime).

Cast from android to macbook