One thing to know first: Google discontinued the Chromecast line in August, replacing it with the Google TV Streamer. If you already own a Chromecast, the device keeps working — Google has committed to continued software support for several more years — but you can no longer buy a new Chromecast Ultra or Chromecast with Google TV. Existing units still cast content reliably, still receive security updates, and still do everything covered in this guide.
For everyone holding a Chromecast in 2026, the 13 tips below cover the features that have aged best, the integrations that still work cleanly, and the workarounds for the few features Google has retired since launch. If you’re shopping for a new streaming dongle, the Google TV Streamer or any of the major alternatives (Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV) are the modern picks. If you already have a Chromecast, this guide is for you.
Before working through the tips: confirm your Chromecast is set up with your TV and that the device controlling it (smartphone, tablet, or laptop) is on the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast. Then install the Google Home app for Android or iOS if you don’t already have it. The Google Home app remains the control surface for both Chromecast and the newer Google TV Streamer, so the workflows below carry over if you eventually upgrade. For background, the Chromecast Wikipedia entry covers the full hardware lineage from 2013 through 2024.
- Make sure your router is optimized for Chromecast streaming.
- Download the Google Home app to easily access your Chromecast’s settings.
- Use a power supply with a higher amperage to ensure better streaming performance.
- Take advantage of the Guest Mode when you have friends or family over to watch something on your Chromecast.
- Use a VPN to access blocked content.
- Take advantage of the “Cast Screen” feature to easily share your laptop or smartphone screen with your Chromecast.
- Set up a special Chromecast profile for kids for parental control.
- Pair your Chromecast with a Bluetooth speaker for better sound quality.
- Set up Chromecast audio groups to play music in multiple rooms.
- Take advantage of the Chromecast’s ability to mirror your laptop’s display to quickly share presentations or other content.
Here are some Chromecast hacks that you can try:
Table of Contents
1. Control Chromecast with your Voice
If you have a Google Nest speaker or display in the same Google Home, you can summon videos to your TV by voice. Google Assistant integration with Chromecast still works in 2026, though Google has been migrating Assistant features into Gemini for the Home over the past year. Either system handles “Hey Google, play Stranger Things on TV” cleanly, with Netflix as the connected service.
To set up: open the Google Home app, link Netflix (or whichever streaming service you use) under Settings → Services, and confirm your Chromecast is the default playback device for your TV. Once configured, you can ask for a specific show, season, episode, or pause/play/skip without picking up your phone. The full Google Assistant redesign we covered when it rolled out is the same setup you’ll see today.
Music works the same way. Spotify, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, Pandora, and Apple Music can all be linked through the Google Home app, after which voice commands route to your Chromecast (or to a paired speaker group).
2. Cast Facebook videos
The Facebook app also lets you cast videos on Chromecast. With this Chromecast hack, you can watch Facebook videos on a large screen just a click away. Find the cast button and select your device to start streaming.
3. Cast from YouTube
Watching videos from YouTube on a big screen brings relief. You can cast popular videos of your crowned YouTubers with just a button. Open the YouTube app and play a video, press the cast button that appears on top of the video, and then select your device.
You can also create a YouTube video queue and watch it on the big screen with Chromecast.
4. Cast from Netflix
Movies and TV shows from Netflix can also be played on your TV with the help of Chromecast. Just play the movie or TV show on your phone or tablet that you want to play on the big screen, look for the cast icon, click on it, and select the Chromecast device you want to stream to; the movie will start streaming on the large screen.
As explained earlier, connecting the Netflix account with Google Assistant will enable you to stream movies and TV shows using voice commands. Ask Google Assistant to play, and it’ll play that video on your big screen.
5. Cast from VLC
VLC supports Chromecast streaming, and you can watch movies straight from your PC or Mac by following our guide to cast a video from VLC to Chromecast. Then, play any video on VLC and follow the instructions in the link to start streaming movies to your big screen.
6. Cast from a local Media Server
Chromecast lets you stream movies directly to your TV screen. You can try different media servers and other ways to stream your favorite shows on the big screen. Another tip is to configure Kodi to play videos on your Chromecast.
Here are some apps to enjoy video content on the big screen.
7. Cast from Plex
Plex media server serves movie geeks the right way with the ability to cast photos, movies, and songs that are present on your local server to the large screen. The premium version (Plex Pass) has more perks, but the free version works fine with casting movies to Chromecast.
After installing the Plex Media Server on your PC, organize your media files to stream videos to other devices and Chromecast. You can follow the official website to set up Plex and cast movies on Chromecast-enabled TV.
8. Stream Music
With Chromecast, you can stream songs on your TV speakers or the Home theatre system. But first, you must connect your favorite music streaming service, and it’ll play music from your playlists on your Chromecast-enabled device.
Music streaming services like SoundCloud, Spotify, and YouTube Music can be connected with Chromecast for Music streaming. Chromecast lets you stream music to your TV speakers or the home theatre system.
9. Cast from Google Photos
You can feast your eyes with memories of vacations that you enjoyed with the family. Cast photos to the big screen using the Google Photos app and Chromecast. Google Photos supports Chromecast and lets you watch pictures and videos on the supported device.
10. Cast from Google Chrome
With the Cast option built-in, Chrome lets you enjoy the web browser’s content on the big screen. You can cast tabs from the Chrome browser or videos you’re playing online (on supported websites like YouTube) to the Chromecast. Here’s how this Chromecast tip will work:
- Press the three-dot menu on the upper right corner of Chrome
- Navigate to Cast and click it
- Select your device from the pop-up
- Start streaming the content or the tab of the Chrome browser
11. Backdrop in Chromecast
When you connect and set up your Chromecast, you’ll see a backdrop, a Chromecast home screen. It shows weather, news headlines, and selected photos from your favorite service or Google Photos as wallpapers. You can configure the latest news headlines and weather information on the Google Home app.
12. Guest Mode
If you want guests to stop interrupting your movies on Chromecast, you can enable guest mode in Chromecast. Only you can cast to the device when the guest mode is enabled; others will have to ask permission to get limited access. You can grant or deny access from the Google Home app.
This Chromecast tip will save you the pain of asking everyone to stop messing with the video you’re watching on the big screen.
13. Cast Presentations
Play presentations on your TV using Google Slide for the web. You can cast the tab from Google Chrome and show your slides on a big screen without wires and projectors.
What’s next after Chromecast: Google TV Streamer and the alternatives
For owners whose Chromecast eventually fails or who want a current device, the Google-native upgrade path is the Google TV Streamer, launched in October 2024 at $99.99. It’s a small set-top box (no longer a dongle) running the full Google TV experience, with 32GB of storage, voice remote, and broader app support than the dongle ever had. The Google Home app still controls it, the cast features carry over, and the apps you already use still work.
If you don’t want to stay in Google’s ecosystem, the realistic alternatives in 2026 are Apple TV 4K (best for Apple-household integration), Roku Streaming Stick 4K (best balance of price and platform neutrality), or Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (best if you’re already deep in Amazon Prime). All three have stronger voice-search ecosystems than the original Chromecast offered.
The Chromecast era was 11 years long, sold over 100 million units, and singlehandedly proved that “cast a tab to the TV” was a feature people actually wanted. The 13 tips above keep it useful for as long as the device runs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chromecast discontinued?
Yes. Google announced the end of the Chromecast product line in August 2024 and replaced it with the Google TV Streamer ($99.99). Existing Chromecast hardware continues to work, with security updates expected for several more years. New units of the older Chromecast and Chromecast with Google TV are no longer manufactured.
Will my existing Chromecast still work in 2026?
Yes. Google has committed to ongoing software support for existing Chromecast devices, including security updates and Google Home app compatibility. Streaming apps from Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and others continue to support Chromecast as a destination. Some long-term feature parity with the newer Google TV Streamer may not arrive on Chromecast hardware, but core casting works as expected.
How do I troubleshoot Chromecast problems?
Start with the basics. Unplug Chromecast and router for 30 seconds each, then power them back on. Confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network (not a guest SSID). Check for software updates in the Google Home app under Devices. If casting from one specific app fails, check whether that app supports Chromecast on the version installed. As a last resort, factory-reset the Chromecast (press and hold the side button for 25 seconds while plugged in).
Why is my Chromecast not connecting?
Most connection failures come down to network mismatch. Confirm your phone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network and band (some routers separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz; Chromecast generations 1 and 2 are 2.4GHz only). Confirm the Chromecast is powered (status light visible on the device) and that the TV is set to the correct HDMI input. Restarting the Wi-Fi router resolves the majority of remaining cases.
How do I reset my Chromecast?
With the Chromecast powered on and plugged into your TV, press and hold the small button on the side of the device for at least 25 seconds. The light will flash and the device will reset to factory defaults. Then re-pair using the Google Home app from a phone on the same Wi-Fi network. The setup process takes about 5 minutes.
Why is my phone not recognizing my Chromecast?
Most often, the phone is on a different Wi-Fi network or band than the Chromecast. Verify both are on the same network. If they are, ensure the Google Home app is updated, and try toggling Wi-Fi off and on. If the issue persists, factory-reset the Chromecast and re-pair. On Android, granting the Google Home app local network permission (Settings, Apps, Google Home, Permissions) is occasionally required after Android version upgrades.
Should I upgrade from Chromecast to Google TV Streamer?
If your Chromecast still works for what you need, there is no urgency. The Google TV Streamer adds more storage (32GB vs 8GB), a remote control with Google Assistant, broader app compatibility, and the Google TV interface as a built-in home screen. If your Chromecast fails or you want a remote-control experience without using your phone, the upgrade is worth it. Otherwise, hold off until the existing device gives out.
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