I am pretty sure that you’re unfamiliar with half of these.
Google Chromecast is a common streaming dongle that makes it simple and inexpensive to wirelessly stream content from your smartphone, tablet, or computer to your TV. There’s a lot more to it than streaming Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, HBO, and other services to your TV from your phone or computer. More information about the device’s capabilities can be found in our How Does Google Chromecast Work article. The ultraportable plug-and-play computer has a few hidden tricks up its sleeve.
Here’s a list of some of the lesser-known Chromecast tips and tricks that can make casting even more magical.
You Didn’t Know These Chromecast Tips and Tricks
- Switch on Guest Mode.
- Create slideshows
- Participate in a variety of games
- Use your voice to cast videos
- Use your TV to watch live surveillance camera feeds.
- Use your TV to watch Amazon Prime Video
- Make a casting list.
- Cast Plex
- Put your headphones on.
- Show everyone what you’re doing through your VR headphones.
- Cast while on the move
- Switch on the television.
- You’ll get free movies and other benefits.
Enable Guest Mode
You can let your guests cast their favourite music or TV shows onto your TV without giving out your WiFi password. So if you have guests over, whether you’re having a family reunion or a group you can let everyone cast without sharing your WiFi password.
To do so, go to Chromecast’s settings and switch on Guest Mode. Anyone with a Google Cast Ready app can cast to a computer this way, as long as the option is available on their device and they’re within 25 feet of a Chromecast device. If not, they can use their phones, tablets, or computers to manually input the four-digit PIN displayed on the TV into the app settings.
Make Presentations
Chromecast allows you to stream your presentation to any TV, so you can improve your presentation skills at work or at home. Simply connect the dongle to your TV, open your Google Slides presentation on a compatible screen, and press Present in the upper right corner.
Start your presentation by selecting Present on another screen, then selecting your Chromecast computer.
Play a variety of games
Do you want to spend some quality time with your family or just want to play your favourite game on a bigger screen? Chromecast allows you to do so. There are over 100 Chromecast games available on Google Play, but if you’re a Nintendo fan, you can download CastNES, a NES emulator, and take a nostalgic ride down memory lane.
Download the games to your mobile device and play them on your TV with ease by using your device as a controller while the game is running on your TV.
To start streaming a Chromecast-compatible game on your TV, look for the Cast logo and tap on that after you’ve downloaded, installed, and opened it. You can use several phones as gamepads if you have online games.
Use Your Voice to Cast Videos
You can use your voice to cast music and images from Netflix, YouTube, and other supported streaming platforms, as well as photos from your Google Photos account. You can throw content to other Chromecasts around your house if you have a Google Home speaker, as long as it’s easy to say and remember.
“Well, Google, play Eat. Pray. Love. on (Chromecast name)” or “Hi, Google, play My Family Reunion on (Chromecast name)” are two examples.
Notice that before you can use your voice on Netflix or HBO, you must first connect your accounts.
Stream Security Camera Live Feeds To Your TV
You can use Google Home to view the live feed from your security cameras through your Chromecast if you have a Nest Security camera. Simply connect the unit to the Google Home app and use your voice to monitor it.
For example, you can say to Google, “OK, Google, show camera name) on (Chromecast”), and the live feed will appear.
On Your TV, Stream Amazon Prime Video
Finally, you can watch Amazon Prime Video on your TV with another screen! Amazon and Google came to an agreement, and Prime Video was added to the list of Chromecast supported applications.
You can now watch Amazon Prime Video on your TV by opening the app and pressing the cast button.
Build a Casting Queue.
Have you ever wanted to watch YouTube videos without having to continually pick up your phone or tablet to watch the next video? By casting YouTube content to your TV and choosing the videos you want to watch, Chromecast helps you to enjoy your YouTube content.
After you’ve watched the first video, you can tap on the others you want to watch and choose Add to Queue instead of Play. Simply tap Now Playing at the bottom of your computer to see your queue.
It’s worth noting that you can’t rearrange the videos in your queue. You can only add or delete items from your Watch Later list.
Cast plex
Plex is a media management software that allows you to arrange and stream media like movies, images, and music to your mobile devices, TVs, and other devices. Since Chromecast does not support local media playback, Google allows you to cast Plex.
To do so, create an account with Plex, download and open the Plex app, and then submit the content you want to watch to Chromecast.
Connect Your Headphones
Since not everyone enjoys the same content as you, Chromecast helps you to cast videos from any compatible computer to your TV while keeping the audio on the device. On the Now Play screen, tap the Route Audio to Phone choice, then plug in your headphones and start listening.
LocalCast for Chromecast can also be downloaded to watch something on your TV without disrupting anyone in the same place.
Views from VR headsets can be shared with others.
If you have a Google Daydream View VR headset and want to show someone what you’re seeing or feeling, you can use your Chromecast and the headset to cast the content to a TV. Simply make sure your Chromecast phone and Daydream View headset are connected to the same WiFi network as your Google Home app.
To send the VR images to a Chromecast, open Google Home, tap Cast, and pick the Chromecast you want to send them to. Connect the phone to the microphone, and others will be able to see (virtually) what you’re going through.
Note: If you have the latest version of the Oculus app, you can cast your view with a Gear VR.
On the Go Casting
Since Google Chromecast is an ultraportable device, you can take it with you on vacation or on business trips. If the cable range at your vacation hotel is lacking, you can stream your favourite content using your Chromecast, laptop, router, or Ethernet cable.
Simply plug your laptop into the hotel room’s Ethernet jack, or attach your router, create a wireless network, and connect your Chromecast to begin streaming.
Switch on the television.
Another Chromecast tip: If your TV supports HDMI-CEC, you can turn it on with a Chromecast unit. Enable this feature in your TV’s settings menu, and Chromecast will turn your TV on whenever you use your phone or computer to cast something.
However, various manufacturers use different terminology for HDMI-CEC, so search the manufacturer’s website or manual to figure out how to get it working. Plus, since power to the USB port is cut off when your TV is turned off, you’ll need to power the Chromecast from somewhere other than your TV.
You’ll get free movies and other benefits.
Aside from being able to watch the most recent and popular TV shows on demand, having a Chromecast also provides access to free movies and TV shows. On the Chromecast Offers tab, Google rewards its users with some pretty good deals and other perks. You will see what offers are currently available, as well as great deals on other Google products.
You can also find open material by using the Google Cast App to scan for it. It will display the Chromecast-enabled apps that are currently streaming the movie or TV show you want to watch, as well as buttons that will direct you to the service or download the software that will get you there.
Life is a Flow/ Stream
You can do a lot more with your Chromecast system than just watch music and movies from YouTube or Netflix. For a more magical experience, try any of these 13 Chromecast tips and tricks. We’d love to hear about other cool stuff you’ve done with your Chromecast in the comments below. Leave a comment below with your ideas.
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