Google helps you simplify your life online, whether it's email, online storage, news or information. digital maps. But it can also take control of your TV with the Chromecast.

Google currently sells two versions of its media casting device - the Chromecast Ultra and the Chromecast With Google TV. The latter gave Google's dongle a much-needed makeover, adding a remote control and an on-screen menu. However, many people are likely still streaming their shows through existing devices; The Chromecast has been around since 2013. Its functionality is also built into most current smart TVs.

Regardless of how you "cast" your content, part of the appeal of Chromecast is its portability and ease of use; just plug it in, connect it to Wi-Fi, and you can stream Netflix, Spotify, HBO Max, Hulu, and more from your mobile device or PC to your TV in no time. Not to mention apps for music, training and sports.

Later this year, those who own the Chromecast With Google TV will be able to use their phone as a remote control for the streamer on Android 11 and 12 via the quick settings menu. 9to5Google reports that the remote control feature will also be available on iOS through the Google Home app.

Although ultraportable devices are pretty much out of the box, there are a few tips and tricks that can make casting more magical. Check them out below.

Expand your meetings

We don't like to talk about video meetings, but if you're tired of watching them on a small screen, make it more like entertainment and bring it to your TV. You can broadcast your Google Meet while using your computer for camera, microphone, and audio. Just download the Meet app, open your meeting using Google Calendar or the Meet app, then select Save This Meeting. You will be able to choose the streaming device you want to use in the Streaming tab. To stop casting, select the three-dot menu and click Stop Casting Meeting.

Stream Google Slides to your TV

If you use Google Slides, you can show your presentation with Chromecast since Google Cast is built into Chrome. Click the Present option in the top right of your presentation, select Present on another screen, and choose your Chromecast device.

Mirror your Android device to 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 (sorry, iPhone users), but this may vary depending on the phone you have (the screenshot above is from a OnePlus 5T). Open the Google Home app, tap on your Chromecast device, then Cast my screen at the bottom and then Projection screen. Tap Stop Mirroring when you're done.

Bring Apple TV and Google TV closer together

There might be a huge rivalry between Apple and Google, but you don't need to get involved in the conflict if you have a Chromecast With Google TV. The Apple TV app, which includes Apple TV+, is available in the Apps section of your home screen. This is the kind of friendly cooperation found on the following Ted Lasso sites.

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 takes a strong Wi-Fi connection to stream unbuffered streams. But not everyone has super-fast Wi-Fi. $20 ethernet adapter for the Chromecast with Google TV. (A similar adapter for previous generation Chromecasts appears to be out of stock).

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 this port, plug the USB end of the adapter into the Chromecast, attach the Chromecast to your TV's HDMI port, and you're good to go.

Stream music to your TV

Spotify, Pandora, and Amazon Music

If you have an impressive sound system hooked up to your TV, why not use it to listen to your favorite tunes? A variety of music streaming services can cast music to the Chromecast, including Spotify, Pandora, and Amazon Music. Make sure your device is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast, then look for the More devices button or Chromecast icon and select your Chromecast from the list that appears. Sign out from your music app or through the Google Home app.

Chromecast guest mode

Whether you have guests at home for a week or party guests for an evening, you might want to let them decide what they want to watch without giving them access to your Wi-Fi. On older Chromecast models , switch to Guest mode. (Guest mode is not available on the Chromecast with Google TV.) Open the Google Home app, select your Chromecast, tap the settings button in the top right, scroll down to guest mode and tap it to activate it.

Then, when guests want to cast something, they can tap the cast icon in a supported app, select Nearby Device, and enter the four-digit PIN that appears on the TV or that you provide to them.

Do Not Track

It's impossible to turn off all tracking since the Chromecast is just a conduit for content, but you can limit what it sends to Google. In your Chromecast device's settings menu, look for a setting that mentions sending device stats and crash reports to Google, and turn it off.

Add Photos to Chromecast Background

Change the background of your Chromecast with Ambient Mode. You can use your own photos, or choose from Google's selection of artwork, landscape photography, and satellite imagery. In the Google Home app, tap the icon for your Chromecast. Tap the gear icon and scroll down to Ambient Mode. You can choose to display images from Google Photos or a gallery of images and artwork curated by Google. Tap Experimental for a low-bandwidth mode. You can also add the weather and time to the display, and set the speed at which the Chromecast switches between photos.

Cast Google Photos to TV

Likewise, the Chromecast can serve as a modern alternative to old-school slideshows; no spotlights here. Google Photos has Chromecast supportChromecast support lets you cast your photos to your TV from Google Photos on iOS, Android, and your PC. Find the Cast icon at the top of the Google Photos app and tap to connect.

Where is the remote? It does not matter

Since the Chromecast plugs into a port on your TV, you'll need to switch your TV's input from the cable box to the Chromecast and whatever else you have in your home entertainment setup. However, if your TV supports the HDMI-CEC standard, it may jump as soon as you hit the cast button from a supported app; no conventional remote control is required.

Some TV manufacturers may call it by a different name (Google has a rundown here), but if your TV supports it, go to the TV settings, select the HDMI-CEC option and enable it. Note that your Chromecast needs to be powered from a wall outlet, not a USB port on the TV.

Listen on your headphones

If you want to watch something on your TV but don't want the sound to disturb other people in the room, Chromecast with Google TV includes Bluetooth support, which you can access in the Remote & Google TV home screen accessories (note that some stability issues have been reported).

Recommended by our editors

For older Chromecast devices, try LocalCast for Chromecast. It lets you stream video to your TV while keeping the audio on your device. Tap Route audio to phone on the Now Playing screen, and plug in headphones. This feature of LocalCast has long been in beta, and the developer warns there may be bugs, but the app is free, so it's worth a try if you need to keep the noise to a minimum. .

Ask the Google Assistant for help

The remote that comes with the Chromecast With Google TV includes a Google Assistant button; tap it to search by voice or ask Google's virtual assistant to open supported apps. If you have an old Chromecast and a smart home device from Google, like a Nest display, connect them and say things like "OK Google, play The Woman in the Window on Netflix." Other compatible services are Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max and YouTube TV.

Making Things Family Friendly

Families with Chromecast With Google TV can set up separate profiles for their children, so parents don't have to worry about unsupervised screen time. Parents can specify which apps their kids can access (like YouTube Kids), select a theme, and even manage screen time. When it's almost time to turn off the TV, your kids are greeted by three countdown warning signs before a final 'Time is up' screen appears and ends their viewing time. According to Google. Kids are smart, so parents can protect their own profiles with a PIN.

Create a YouTube TV Queue

The only annoying thing about watching YouTube on a Chromecast is that you have to pick up and put down your device every time you want to watch another video. But how to do it ? Open the YouTube app, tap the Cast button, select your Chromecast device, then choose a video to watch. A pop-up will appear, giving you the option to play the video immediately or add it to your queue. Add the number of videos you want to watch to your queue, then settle in. Tap the up arrow at the bottom of the screen to view or edit your upcoming video selections.

Cast Plex on Chromecast

One of the biggest complaints about the Chromecast is that it doesn't support local media playback, which prevents you from enjoying content you've saved in the cloud. But with the Plex media management app, you can stream music, movies, and photos. through the Chromecast. Plex organizes your scattered content and lets you watch it from tablets, TVs, phones and more. Sign upDownload the Plex app, open it, and send your content to the Chromecast.

Stream matches with Stadia

The Google Stadia streaming platform lets you play console and PC-quality games on your phone, in a Chrome browser tab, or on your TV with a supported streaming device. At launch that meant a Chromecast Ultra, but in late June 2021 Google also added Stadia support to the Chromecast with Google TV for more big-screen gaming options.

Stream your DVDs with Vudu (at a certain price)

If you have stacks and stacks of DVDs and have nothing to play them with or just want the convenience of streaming, you can… use Vudu to convert old media to new. Download the Vudu app (Android, iOS), sign in or create an account, then go to the menu and select Disc to Digital, and scan the disc's UPC code. You can then stream your DVDs on the Vudu app on Chromecast – at a cost of $2 per title in standard definition and $5 per title in high definition.

Chromecast Preview Schedule

If spoilers never deter you, then you'll want to join the Chromecast Preview Program. This will get you the latest Chromecast features before they are released to the public. Google clarifies that the program is not a beta but rather a preview of stable features.