We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
IF YOU HAVE one already, then chances are you know just how handy a Chromecast is. The streaming device allows you to throw up certain Android and iOS apps from the small screen to the big.
If you already know the basics, then there may be a few other things that you mightn’t be aware of.
Allow guests to stream from it
Until December, the only way you could stream a device through a Chromecast was to share your WiFi password with someone.
Now Guest Mode allow you to bypass this requirement. Once you activate it (Go to devices > Guest Mode > On), anyone with a compatible app can connect by entering in a four-digit PIN on the TV.
This feature is only available for Android devices as iOS isn’t compatible with Guest Mode.
Stream local photos/video from your phone
While you can already stream video and photos from apps like YouTube, but what about local content saved on your phone. Well, there are a few apps which allow you to do that -although they’re not perfect – and one example is ES File Explorer File Manager.
By installing it, you can view your photos and play videos through the app and display them on the big screen, saving you the trouble of having to upload them to YouTube or a different app. Other apps like Plex and Localcast are also great for performing the same tasks.
Be warned though, Chromecast is best when it’s streaming from online network instead of a local device so it may stutter at some point during videos.
Look out for offers
Google sometimes throws out offers and deals for Chromecast users which can either be a free movie or credit that you can spend yourself.
There’s a dedicated Offers page highlighting the latest deals although there are a few caveats to be aware of before you get excited. The first thing is you need to be using Chrome on desktop and download the Chromecast extension for it. Once you have that done, you have to agree to the terms
The offers aren’t anything amazing, and most are aimed towards those using it for the first time, but it’s worth keeping an eye on in case something catches your interest.
Add your own photos to the slideshow
You know those images that appear when your Chromecast is on standby? You can customise them to show your own images or choose the content categories instead. When you’re in Chromecast, bring up the navigation drawer and select Backdrop. Here you can select your own photos as well as that of news, lifestyle and satellite photos as well.
For now, the only personal photos that are shown come from Google+ so you will need to save them there first if you want them to appear.
Listen to content through your headphones
While you’re probably wondering what the advantage is to watching Netflix or YouTube through Chromecast instead of through the web or your TV, the answer is headphones.
Localcast is an app which allows you to route the audio to your phone when you’re playing a video on your phone. The only caveat is this only works with local content on your phone, it won’t work if you try to watch a show on Netflix, for example, and you will have to do some experimentation first to ensure the audio and video is aligned.
Play games through it
Alongside a large collection of streaming apps and services, there are a few free games to download for it that you can play yourself or with a friend.
The quality overall isn’t the best – it’s mostly games like Monopoly Dash and Wheel of Fortune – but you can have some fun with friends if you play something like Just Dance Now which tracks your movement using your smartphone.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I’ve a Chromecast for almost 2 years, use all its capabilities, yet this article is very confusing.
“While you’re probably wondering what the advantage is to watching Netflix or YouTube through Chromecast instead of through the web or your TV, the answer is headphones…Localcast is an app … (that) won’t work if you try to watch a show on Netflix”
Great.
“While you’re probably wondering what the advantage is to watching Netflix or YouTube through Chromecast instead of through the web”
I’m sorry, does Chromecast work by magic or something?
Classic thejournal.ie
It uses the Internet. The Internet is not the web. The web is one service that uses the Internet.
With allcast you can record video on your phone camera and stream it to the TV. I scared the crap out of my better half by having me pop up on the TV talking to her.
Nice.
Allcast works with Showbox too if you switch off the internal player option.
Also nice.
No mention of probably the best app available which is Plex
Don’t forget filmon.
If u have showbox u can play the films through localcast on ur chromecast simple
Anybody know good apps for iPhone to Chromecast?? Please? Also for streaming sports from Phone?
Modbro, showbox. can also get netflix for €12 for the year, and get you all the sports / movies on another little box….
Why are comments being removed? Also Terry, how do you get mobdro to work thru chromecast, other than casting the screen?
Mobro has a cast button.
So it does, that’s new though…
Comments are being deleted because the journal doesn’t want any grey areas like showbox mentioned. Despite it being the absolute best app available on chromecast bar none.
Any good/reliable sports streaming apps?
Very few on chromecast. None as far as I know show sport. The official BT sport app supports it – but you will be waiting for any of the non official streams to use it.
I bought a HDMI tablet and hooked my streams up that way. XBMC is worth a look – but for me HDMI android tablet is where I’m at. 8 years doing this and this is where I’m at. Purely focused on stability, quality and effort required
Mobdro has Chromecast support but I’ve never been able to get a decent quality stream for live sport
Any decent live sports apps?
Video and TV Cast is a good app. It’s available from http://www.2kit.de and has a browser. You simply enter the website address and most videos can be cast to your chromecast. It won’t stream showbox or the like but is good for casting videos embedded into other websites. Mobdro won’t work with ios but ishows.tv does.
‘While you’re probably wondering what the advantage is to watching Netflix or YouTube through Chromecast instead of through the web or your TV, the answer is headphones.’
Am I missing something? If I’m going to the trouble of steaming something through a Chromecast onto my TV, why would I then want to route the audio back to my phone to listen through headphones?
If your missus has a habit of calling her family while not bothering to get up off the couch…infuriating
Shut up and take my money
Chromecast is brilliant for the price of it. I only wish you could stream videos from your phone direct to chromecast without needing the chromecast to be connected to a wifi network. Its so portable that it would be ideal to plug in to any tv and play content from your phone wherever you are.
Interesting. I wonder if you setup a WiFi hotspot just on your phone for first time installation would that work? Haven’t tried it but can’t see why it wouldn’t. Then you could bring it round with you plug into any HDMI and pair it with your hotspot
Ya i thought that aswell so i tried it. It wouldn’t work, presumably because both the phone and chromecast must be connected to the same wifi network. If your phone is the netwok then it cant connect to itself. If you used your phone as a wifi hotspot and then streamed content from another phone or tablet i think that would work but that makes it complicated and impractical.
Mobdro premium has chromecast support but I’ve never been able to get a decent quality stream for some live sports match. The tutorial in http://mobdrodownload.net/ is quite useful for me to help setup chromecast for Mobdro app.
Cinema HD is a good alternative to Showbox and seems to be more stable on Chromecast.
Bought in Dixons at Dublin Airport for €20, as opposed to the €39/€40 in the likes of Tesco, etc.
How to set up chromecast for Mobdro app. Is this link is useful? http://mobdroappdownloads.com/
Livemediaplayer
have your say