How To Set Up Your Chromecast
Contents
Chromecast allows you to take the videos, music, and pictures from your phone and project them on your TV. All you have to do is plug your Chromecast into your TV, start watching a video on your smartphone or tablet, and push the Cast button to project it to your TV. Unlike other streaming devices, you wont have to download and set up a bunch of new apps on your TV to get access to streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Google Play Music, and more. Heres how to set up your Chromecast, whether you are using an iPhone or Android device.
How To Get Apple TV On Chromecast With Google TV
Chromecast with Google TV is different from previous Chromecast devices. Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra are both designed to be used with a media source, like a phone, tablet, or computer, that sends video and audio to the Chromecast wirelessly. The Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra itself isnt capable of streaming anything by itself and always needs to receive video or audio from another device.
Chromecast with Google TV is similar to other streaming devices like Fire TV, Roku, and Apple TV in that its capable of running apps and streaming video and audio on its own without the help of a phone or computer.
If you want to get Apple TV on a Chromecast with Google TV, you need to download and install the app.
Select the Apps tab on your Chromecast with Google TV.
Select Search For Apps.
Chromecast Remote And Voice Control
Chromecast with Google TV comes with a small remote control, and you can also control the Chromecast Ultra with a Stadia controller. Example voice commands could be open Amazon Prime Video or play .
With the Chromecast with Google TV, you can give voice commands by pressing the Google Assistant button. It also has a voice match feature. It works by familiarizing Google Assistant with your voice, so it can customize the interface specifically for you.
While the classic Google Chromecast doesnt have the voice control feature, you can use the Google Home app to control the streaming device.
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Mirror Your Android Device To The TV
If you want your Android screen to appear on the TV for work or entertainment, screen casting is supported on devices running Android 5.0 and above . Though your mileage may vary depending on which phone you have the screenshot above is from a OnePlus 5T. Open the Google Home app, tap your Chromecast device, and tap Cast my screen on the bottom and then Cast screen. Tap Stop mirroring when you’re done.
Control The Chromecast With Google TV With Remote Android TV
Remote Android TV by Innovation lab takes things to the next level. It includes a power on/off button and volume controls right on the screen. This app is only available for Android devices, though.
Download Remote Android TV from the Google Play Store. On the first launch, youll be asked to allow the app to record audio. Tap Allow to proceed.
Next, select your Chromecast with Google TV from the device list.
A code will pop up on your television. Type that code into the app and tap Pair.
Thats it. You can use the D-pad, Back and Home buttons, control the volume, turn the device on/off, and enter text with your keyboard. Some buttons, such as the P+ and P- buttons dont apply to the Chromecast with Google TV.
The Touchpad and Applications tabs from the menu are not supported by the Chromecast with Google TV.
The physical remote is usually going to be easier to use, but these apps can come in handy if you lose the remote, dont want to get up to find it, or just prefer using your phone.
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Using Chromecast With An Android Device
How To Set Up Your Chromecast With Google TV
Justin Duino is the Managing Editor at How-To Geek. He has spent the last decade writing about Android, smartphones, and other mobile technology. In addition to his written work, he has also been a regular guest commentator on CBS News and BBC World News and Radio to discuss current events in the technology industry. Read more…
Google changed up its streaming platform with the release of the Chromecast with Google TV. Instead of being a Cast-only device like Chromecasts before it, Googles latest dongle runs the successor of Android TV. If you purchased one, heres how to set up your Chromecast with Google TV.
After unboxing your device and all of its accessories, its time to set up your Chromecast with Google TV. First, plug the included power adaptor into an outlet. Next, connect the USB-A to C cable to the power brick and your Chromecast. A status light will appear on the back of the dongle.
Locate a free HDMI port on the back of your television and plug your Chromecast with Google TV in.
If your TV doesnt automatically turn on, grab your devices remote, turn on the screen, and change the source to whichever HDMI port you plugged the Chromecast in to.
Pick up the Chromecast with Google TVs remote and slide off the back cover. Insert the included AAA batteries and reattach the cover. The remote should automatically start pairing with your streaming device.
Now starts the setup process. Using your remote, choose your language from the list.
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Setup The Chromecast Remote To Control Your TV
This step is optional, but who doesnt want to have one less remote?
Once all your apps are installed from the previous setup step, Chromecast will ask you if youd like to set up your remote.
It may automatically detect what kind of TV you have, but there will be a few more prompts to walk through if it doesnt. You can also set up the remote to control the volume on your soundbar or receiver.
Finally Done!
You should be good to go now. You can use the voice remote to control your tv, soundbar, or receiver if you have one.
Here is a video that walks you through the complete process of setting up a Chromecast with Google TV:
As promised, here is a video that walks you through the setup of older Google Chromecast devices.
One: Plug In Your Chromecast And Download The Google Home App
To set up your Chromecast, youll need the Google Home app , available on iOS and Android. If your Chromecast is a hand-me-down or an eBay find, you might want to take a moment to factory reset it before continuing so youre starting with a clean slate.
Although there are multiple generations of Chromecast and a brand new app, the general setup process hasnt changed much. First, unpack your Chromecast, plug it in, and wait for it to power up. You can plug the USB cable into the wall using the included adapter, or the USB port on the back of your TV .
Youll know its ready for setup when see the on-screen prompt, shown below. Note the randomly generated identifier in the lower left corner. Ours is Chromecast0082, but yours is likely different.
With the setup prompt on your TV screen, nows the time to grab your phone or tablet and connect to the Chromecast to complete the setup process. Depending on which generation of Chromecast you have, the connecting-to bit is a slight different, so pay close attention to the next section.
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How To Cast From Your iPhone Or iPad To Your TV With Chromecast
Now that youre Chromecast is all setup:
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On your iOS device, make sure youre connected to the same Wi-Fi network you set up for your Chromecast device.
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Open an app that works with Chromecast such as YouTube or Netflix.
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Play the video you want to cast to your TV. Then tap the Chromecast icon, likely in the upper right corner, to cast the streaming video to your TV.
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Use your iPhone or iPad as a remote to change the volume, fastforward, or rewind.
There are lots of different kind of apps that you can download for use with Chromecast. The Discover section of the Google Home app will show you quite a few of the possibilities.
Using Airplay With An Ios Device
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How To Get The New Chromecast With Google TV For Free
Googles new is a $50 streaming media player that combines the convenience of a Chromecast device with the full feature set youd expect from a set-top box like a Roku or a Fire TV.
But one area where it differentiates itself from the other $50 streamers made by Roku, Amazon, and TiVo is its tight integration with Googles own YouTube TV live TV streaming service. By flipping to the Live tab inside the Google TV interface, you can quickly and seamlessly access all of YouTube TVs content including the on-screen guide and all of the shows in your DVR.
So its not surprising that Google is now using an offer of a free Chromecast with Google TV as a way to lure new subscribers to YouTube TV.
Right now, if you head over to youll be greeted by a pop-up window that says, Try YouTube TV free, and get a Chromecast on us!
That sure sounds like youre not only getting the Chromecast for free, but also YouTube TV for free, but the fine print makes it clear thats not quite true.
Instead, once you agree to the free trial period for YouTube TV, and make your first monthly payment of $65, then youll get the free Chromecast.
Oh, and its only valid for first-time YouTube TV subscriptions, something I can verify: When I clicked through to sign up, I wasnt offered this promotion.
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How To Use Chromecast Without Wi
If you have an Android device, you can use your Chromecast without a Wi-Fi connection.
The process for using a Chromecast without Wi-Fi is much the same as casting with Wi-Fi. Follow the previous instructions to either cast content from your entire screen or an app.
Your Android device will look for nearby Chromecasts that are not on a network. When you see the Chromecast that you want to connect to, tap on its name. A four-digit PIN will appear on the TV screen. When prompted, enter it into your Android to complete the connection.
Note: If you have an iPhone and you regularly need to cast without Wi-Fi, arguably the best solution is to buy an inexpensive travel router.
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Using Chromecast On Mac Effectively
To use hromecast from your Mac, you need to get Chrome browser if you dont already have it installed on your device, that is. If you dont have it on your Mac, just download this Google-made browser from its official website google.com/chrome.
Next, open your Chrome browser on the page you want to cast and click the three dots icon at the right end of your Chrome address bar. Find Cast menu option and click. Select the device you want to cast to.
You can also pin the cast button to your Chrome bar for convenience. When you click on Cast, the chromecast icon will appear at the end of your address bar. Two-finger click on it and choose Always show icon in the drop down menu. Now, any time you want to chromecast, you can click the icon and choose your Chromecast device to begin.
Alternatively, you can just mirror anything you play on your Mac to your Chromecast with a universal solution like JustStream. The app is a handy tool to handle streaming your video content to Smart TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, and numerous other DLNA devices.
JustStream supports multiple file formats, so you dont have to worry about compatibility. And just in case, it also allows you to simply mirror your Macs screen to a TV just to be sure you can get your content cast in virtually any situation. Whats more, JustStream is easy to set up, pretty much all you need is a WiFi connection. And dont worry about video quality the app supports both HD and 4K video.
You Can Still Use Your Samsung TV With A Chromecast
The good news is that almost any TV with an HDMI port can be used with Chromecast.
That means no matter how old your TV is, if its got an HDMI input you can easily stream content on it. To check this, just look at the back of your TV and find where the input connectors are. Then look for a narrow port labeled HDMI. Found it? Great, then casting to your Samsung TV wont be an issue.
However, some Samsung TVs made before 2010 may not have an HDMI port. If you want to use Chromecast without having to buy a new TV, theres a way to do it. Youll find out later on how to stream content on all Samsung TVs.
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Banish Buffering With An Ethernet Adapter
The Chromecast is a handy gadget for streaming Netflix, YouTube, and other content from mobile devices to your TV, but it requires a strong Wi-Fi connection to deliver streams that don’t buffer. Not everyone has a super-fast Wi-Fi network, though. For those who don’t, Google has a $20 Ethernet adapter for the Chromecast with Google TV. for previous-gen Chromecasts has been out of stock for awhile.)
The adapter looks like the existing Chromecast power cord, but the plug end includes a small Ethernet port. Connect an Ethernet cable that’s also connected to your modem to that port, plug the USB end of the adapter into the Chromecast, attach the Chromecast to the HDMI port on your TV, and you’re ready to go.
How To Connect Chromecast To Wifi
One of the first steps as youre being guided through the Google Chromecast setup procedure is to enter your WiFi password.
Make sure WiFi is turned on in your phone settings. Select your WiFi network from the list when Google Home prompts you, and be sure that youre on the same network your phone is connected to. Enter your WiFi password.
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What Services Work With Chromecast
At launch, not much besides Netflix and YouTube worked on Chromecast, but many other services have become integrated with the device since then, including video, music, news, media storage and sharing apps, productivity tools and games. Many of them require paid subscriptions to third-party providers.
Neither the Chromecast nor the Chromecast with Google TV require a special app for casting. Instead, developers use Google’s Software Development Kit to build compatibility into the apps themselves. Casting requires WiFi, and Google cautions that if you have more than one network in your home, you must be sure that both the device and the Chromecast are on the same WiFi network.
That’s also true if you’re streaming from the Chrome browser to your TV.