Before we begin, if you cast YouTube to your TV mainly because of YouTube Vanced (RIP) or Revanced, check out our guide on how to get ad-free YouTube on Android/Google TV.
What is Chromecast?
The Google Chromecast is a dongle device that allows you to cast media from your phone, computer or any other Google Home device, on to your TV or any other monitor. Casting refers to the process of mirroring your device’s screen with another device’s screen. Chromecast can be used to stream on TVs and even individual monitors. It also has support for streaming on multiple screens. To achieve this, the following conditions must be satisfied:
The TV or monitor must have an HDMI port.The TV or monitor must have a power source.
Pretty simple, right? That’s what makes Chromecast the go-to for streaming enthusiasts. This, and the fact that Chromecast is pretty easy to set up and use, due to its simplicity and user-friendly interface in the recent models. Another plus point is that Chromecast is also very affordable; the normal Chromecast, which supports 1080p HD resolutions only costs $30, while the 4K version is priced slightly higher at $50. Both cost the same as the previous, third-generation Chromecasts which have now been discontinued. So, while this guide focuses on the latest model, dubbed “Chromecast with Google TV,” no matter which Chromecast you use, this guide will help you to set it up with any kind of device.
Precursor: Setting Up Chromecast
For Chromecast to work, the device that is being used to cast (such as your smartphone) and the Chromecast itself, need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. See our guide on how to setup Chromecast or simply follow these steps: If at any time you cancel the setup, worry not. Simply open the Google Home app again and follow these instructions: The app will begin searching for nearby devices after asking for permissions. Select your Chromecast and finish the setup. Once everything is good to go, you should see your Chromecast in the app.
Device 1: Casting With Windows and Mac
Using Chromecast on both a Windows and Mac computer requires one thing; the Google Chrome browser. Open the Chrome browser and follow these steps: If you choose to cast a single tab or a file, you can continue to work on whatever you want on the background; only the selected Chrome tab or file will be cast. If you choose to cast your whole desktop, everything that appears or is present on your screen will cast on to your TV. Keep in mind, however, that Chrome must be left running in the background to maintain the casting process for either of these options.
Device 2: Casting With iOS
iPhone users can cast only through apps that are Chromecast-enabled such as YouTube, Netflix, etc. Chromecast-enabled means apps that support casting through Chromecast officially. If you want to cast your entire screen, you’ll have to make use of third-party apps that help mirror your iPhone or iPad screen to your TV. You should have set up Chromecast using the Google Home app and be connected on the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast. For paid streaming services, you will first need to link them to your Google account before you start streaming, as shown below: Once linked, all you need to do is look for the Cast icon in various apps (YouTube shown below) and tap on it. You may be asked which device you want to cast to, simply select your Chromecast and enjoy your show or movie.
Device 3: Casting With Android
Android users have an advantage over iOS users in the casting department; they have native support for casting their whole screens along with support for casting individual app screens. This allows them to cast even those apps that don’t have support for casting. Support for this feature might vary phone-to-phone based on implementation by different manufacturers. For apps that do support casting officially, you can link them to your Google account as shown in the previous section and that will give you the added benefit to be able to open them with Google Assistant on Android. To cast using your Android device, first ensure that both the Chromecast and your device are on the same Wi-Fi network. Then follow these steps: For Chromecast-enabled apps like YouTube and Netflix, you can use the ‘Cast‘ button found in the top-right of the player. Some phones will also allow you to cast your screen to a Chromecast right from the notification menu without having to open up any app. We found the option to work on most OnePlus and Google devices natively.
Casting Without Wi-Fi
If your Wi-Fi is not functioning properly due to unforeseen circumstances, there is no need to fret. Chromecast can also be used to cast without Wi-Fi. However, this can only be achieved using an Android device. Moreover, you can only cast Chromecast-enabled apps The casting process without Wi-Fi is nearly identical to the one when using Wi-Fi. Except that you have to make use of Guest Mode. Guest Mode is a feature designed to let guests cast their screen on to your TV without connecting to your Wi-Fi network. Thankfully, we can use this to cast our Netflix or YouTube downloads when the Wi-Fi is down, or when the Chromecast is experiencing connection issues. First ensure that your Chromecast is running the latest firmware version. Second you must ensure that your phone has an Internet connection; you can use mobile data or some other Wi-Fi network. Next, to enable Guest Mode, follow these steps: Guest Mode should now be enabled. Now, simply open any Chromecast-enabled app on your Android device, use the the Cast button to begin casting and select your Chromecast. A PIN prompt should appear. Enter the PIN revealed to you before. You can now stream your desired content.
Chromecast for Google TV vs. Chromecast Series
In 2022, Google launched ‘Chromecast with Google TV’ and discontinued the old Chromecast series. The old Chromecast series allowed you cast your phone screen and stream any kind of media. The new Chromecast for Google TV does the same thing, except that it comes with its own UI called “Google TV,” which is essentially the successor to Android TV, and allows you to stream through your favorite services which come pre-installed. Another sweet feature of the latest Chromecast with Google TV is that it comes with its own hardware remote for navigating through the interface and also has support for Google Assistant voice commands. To top it off, it is priced identical to its older counterparts; $30 for the HD version and $50 for the 4K version. There are several other features in the newer version that demonstrate its superiority to its older counterparts.
