If you’re new to the Chromecast world and are trying to figure out how everything works, you’ve come to the right place.
Chromecast is purely a streaming device that connects to your TV and the internet. This enables you to stream content from your smart device onto your TV through a protocol called Google Cast.
It takes the home cinema experience to the next level. Now you can sit back, relax and watch on the big screen, all from the comfort of your couch.
So back to that all-important question about browsers. Chromecast is a device and therefore doesn’t have its own browser. But don’t worry, when it comes to browsers, there are a few options out there and we will have you up and running in no time.
What browsers can cast to Chromecast
You may be relieved to know that you are not limited to using just a Chrome browser and can successfully cast to Chromecast without Chrome. Fortunately, you can use Chromecast on other major browsers like Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. So, if Chrome isn’t your browser of choice, you do have other options but having said that out of the other three, Opera is reportedly the best choice.
How do I browse the Internet on Chromecast
Browsing the internet on Chromecast is fairly easy. You will need to cast a browser on your computer to the TV. You can do this using the regular cast tab option, alternatively, you can mirror the browser from your smartphone to your TV but more about mirroring a bit later.
Casting a tab from Chrome: Once you’ve opened Chrome on your computer, click More which can be found n the top right-hand corner, and then click on Cast. You will now be able to select the Chromecast device where you want the content to display.
Casting a tab from Opera: Select the Opera icon and choose Settings. You will need to scroll down to the User interfaction section and select the Enable Chromecast support option. To cast a page, right-click on your current open tab and choose Cast from the menu and then select your destination device.
Casting a tab from Firefox: You will need to download the Firefox extension but as this extension is still in development, not all the features work properly, so we recommend giving this browser a miss for the moment.
Casting a tab from Microsoft Edge: Once you’ve opened Microsoft Edge, click on the Menu icon in the top right-hand corner and go to More tools > Cast media to device. You can now select your relevant destination device.
Which is better Roku or Chromecast
When it comes down to the perfect choice, it all depends on which features are more important for you. Roku has 4 devices that compete with Chromecast products – Roku Express, Roku Express 4K +, Roku Streaming Stick 4K, and Roku Streaming Stick 4K+.
The biggest difference between Chromecast and Roku products is the user interface. Roku devices run on Roku OS which provides an on-screen interface with various channels, a store, a settings menu, as well as search functionality. Chromecast doesn’t have the on-screen interface as they only mirror your smart devices or laptop screen onto the TV.
Another big difference is that Roku devices come with their own remote control, whereas Chromecast devices are only controlled by your smart device or computer.
From a content perspective, according to Roku, you can install more than 500,000 channels on your device – although realistically, the majority of them are a waste of time. You need to remember that Chromecast devices are different as not every app is Chromecast-enabled which means that sometimes you will have to manually cast your entire screen.
How do I mirror my phone to Chromecast
You can easily mirror either your Android or Apple phone to your TV through the Google Home app.
For Android phones, you will need to ensure that your phone is running Android 5.0 or higher. Your Power Saving Mode needs to be turned off and your microphone permission for the Google Play Services app needs to be turned on. And lastly, you need to ensure that your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device.
To mirror your screen from your Android device you will need to open the Google Home app and go to the Account tab and then scroll down until you find Mirror device. Once you have clicked on Mirror device, you will then need to click on the Cast Screen/Audio button. You can then go ahead and select your destination device.
For Apple phones, you will need to ensure that your phone is running iOS 12.0 or later. You will also need to ensure that your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device. Once you have launched the Mirror for Chromecast app, your phone will then start looking for the Chromecast device on your local network. Once it has found your device, simply click on Start Mirroring and you are ready to go.
Another option is to use third-party mirroring apps like Replica to mirror your phone to your Chromecast device.
Can I Chromecast from my iPhone
The answer is a resounding yes!!! The Google Home app makes it easy to use your Chromecast and iPhone together. You can easily cast to different TVs, use various streaming services and even listen to music.
Once you have downloaded the Google Home app, you will need to sign in to your Google account, turn on your Bluetooth and connect to the Wi-Fi, just remember to make sure it’s the same network as your Chromecast is using. Select Devices, click on Chromecast, and then click on Control Center.
You should now be able to see options to link all of the streaming services you plan on using. Open the streaming app you want to use, for example, Netflix, and click on the Chromecast icon which can usually be found either in the top left or top right-hand corner. The next step is to select the Cast Device you will be using and lastly, simply select Cast.
Why won’t my iPhone connect to Chromecast
Don’t panic, most of the issues are easy fixes. The first step is to ensure your iPhone and Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network and that includes making sure your phone is on Wi-Fi and not data! If they are on the same network and it’s still not working, there may be an issue with your router.
Another potential issue can be around your Wi-Fi connection. The Google Home app can only detect Chromecast if there is a 5GHz connection so you will need to ensure that your iPhone can support a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection.
This may sound obvious but you won’t be the first person this has happened to. You may just want to double-check that your Chromecast is plugged in and that your HDMI port is working. You can easily check this by making sure you can see the Chromecast home screen on the TV.
And lastly, updates can cause issues, make sure both your Chromecast and Google Home app are updated
