Showing a Google Slides presentation on a TV is great for classrooms, meetings, family events, and small conference rooms. If your TV has Chromecast or Google TV built in, you can cast straight from Chrome or your phone without any cables. You can also use AirPlay from an iPhone or Mac, or simply plug in an HDMI cable. This guide covers each option and how to keep your speaker notes on your own screen.
Quick answer
Open the presentation in Google Chrome, click the arrow next to Slideshow, and choose Present on another screen. Pick your TV from the list. The slides appear on the TV while you control them from your computer.
What you’ll need
- A TV with Chromecast or Google TV built in, or a Chromecast device plugged into the TV.
- Your computer or phone on the same Wi-Fi network as the TV.
- Google Chrome on a computer, or the Google Slides app on a phone or tablet.
Method 1: Cast from Chrome with Present on another screen
- Open your presentation in Google Slides using Chrome.
- Click the arrow next to the Slideshow button in the top-right corner.
- Choose Present on another screen.
- Select your TV or Chromecast from the list.
The TV shows the slideshow, and your computer becomes the controller. Use the arrow keys or click to move between slides. To stop, click Stop in the cast controls or close the presentation.
Method 2: Cast the Chrome tab
If Present on another screen doesn’t appear, cast the whole browser tab instead:
- Open the presentation and start the slideshow.
- Click the Chrome menu (three dots) and choose Cast, save, and share > Cast.
- Pick your TV. Under Sources, make sure Cast tab is selected.
This mirrors the tab exactly, so anything else you do in that tab also shows on the TV.
Method 3: Cast from a phone or tablet
- Open the presentation in the Google Slides app.
- Tap the cast or Present icon at the top of the screen.
- Choose your TV when prompted.
- Swipe on your phone to change slides.
On Android, you can also cast your whole screen from the Quick Settings panel by tapping Screen Cast or Smart View, depending on your phone.
Method 4: Use AirPlay from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac
If your TV supports AirPlay or you have an Apple TV, open Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring, then choose the TV. Start the presentation in the Slides app or in your browser. Everything on your screen appears on the TV, so turn on Do Not Disturb to keep notifications private.
Method 5: Connect with an HDMI cable
For the most reliable connection, especially on busy Wi-Fi, connect your laptop to the TV with an HDMI cable (or a USB-C to HDMI adapter). Switch the TV to the right HDMI input, then start the slideshow in Google Slides. On Windows, press Windows + P to choose Duplicate or Extend.
Use presenter view with a TV
To see your speaker notes while the audience sees only the slides:
- Connect the TV with HDMI and set the display to Extend, or use Present on another screen.
- In Google Slides, click the arrow next to Slideshow and choose Presenter view.
- Move the slideshow window to the TV if needed. Your notes, timer, and next slide stay on your laptop.
See how to share Google Slides in presentation mode for more presenting options.
Troubleshooting
- TV doesn’t appear in the list: Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, not a guest network. Restart the TV and your router if needed.
- Video in slides is choppy: Casting a tab can lag with video. Use HDMI for presentations with embedded videos.
- Slides are cut off: Change the TV’s picture size to Fit, Just Scan, or Screen Fit to stop overscan.
- No sound: When casting a tab, audio plays through the TV. With HDMI, select the TV as the sound output on your computer.
Related: How to skip a slide in Google Slides.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cast Google Slides to a TV without Chromecast?
Yes. Use an HDMI cable, AirPlay on a compatible TV, or your TV’s screen mirroring feature if it supports Miracast with a Windows laptop.
Do I need internet to present on a TV?
Casting needs both devices on the same network. With HDMI, you can present offline if you’ve made the presentation available offline in Google Slides.
Can I control the slides from my phone while casting from a laptop?
The Google Slides app can open the same presentation, but the laptop controls the cast. For remote control, a wireless presenter clicker paired with the laptop works well.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.