Open the reel in the Facebook app on your phone, tap Options, then tap Cast video and pick your TV from the list. Your TV needs a streaming device or built-in streaming, and it has to be on the same Wi-Fi as your phone. Chromecast isn't available from an iPhone or iPad.
Reels look better on a big screen, and Facebook lets you cast them from your phone. When it doesn't work, there's almost always one of three reasons behind it. Here's the setup, then what happens when something's off.
Before you cast: the checklist
- Your TV is connected to a streaming device, or has built-in streaming.
- Your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- You're using the Facebook app on a mobile device, from your Feed or the Reels tab.
Facebook's help centre names Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV as examples of what you can cast to.
Casting a reel to the big screen
- Check the TV has a streaming device or built-in streaming, and is on the same Wi-Fi as your phone.
- Open the Facebook app and find the reel you want to watch.
- Tap the reel to open the video player.
- Tap Options, then tap Cast video.
- Choose your TV from the list of available devices.
- On an iPhone, if you're asked, tap OK to give Facebook access to your local network, then tap Cast video again if needed.
Troubleshooting a cast that won't connect
Your TV isn't in the list
The most common cause is Wi-Fi. If your phone is on one network and the TV is on another, they can't see each other. Put both on the same network and try Cast video again.
You're on an iPhone and your Chromecast is missing
That's expected. Chromecast isn't available for casting from Apple devices such as the iPhone and iPad. You'll need a different streaming device, such as one of the others named above.
Your iPhone asks about local network access
Recent versions of iOS ask you to let Facebook use your local network. Tap OK. If you said no earlier, open your phone's settings, find Facebook, and switch on the control next to Local network. Then tap Cast video again.
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Where your videos went
If you remember a Videos tab, it's now called the Reels tab, and all videos are now shared as reels. So anything you'd have watched under Videos is cast the same way. If you want to keep a reel for later, the guide on finding your saved reels shows where they live, and there's a separate walkthrough on saving reels for offline viewing.
Advice for smooth casting
Sort the basics before you sit down: same Wi-Fi, a streaming device or streaming TV, and on an iPhone, local network access switched on for Facebook. Then it's Options and Cast video every time. If you're on an iPhone with only a Chromecast, don't keep retrying, because it isn't supported. Use another streaming device instead.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I cast a Facebook reel from my iPhone to Chromecast?
The help page says Chromecast isn't available for casting from Apple iOS devices such as the iPhone and iPad.
