How to set up Chromecast for Android and iOS devices

Google launched its Chromecast streaming digital media players back in 2013. Since then, various models of the affordable dongle-based device have sold up to 55 million units. It’s easy to see why; the affordable Chromecast models allows users to stream apps from their smartphone to their TV. They can check out movies and TV shows from apps like Netflix and Hulu, along with many Chromecast-supported games and audio sources. But what are the Chromecast setup procedures?

Read more: Best Chromecast apps for Android

Currently, Chromecast supports Android and iOS platforms. In this article, we will show you how to set up your new Chromecast, no matter what supported operating system you own, so you can start enjoying the streaming benefits of this device. The setup is mostly the same for all Chromecast models.

How to set up Chromecast for Android phones and tablets

1. Turn on your TV. If you own a regular Chromecast, connect it to your TV’s HDMI port, and connect its power cord to an available USB port on your TV. If one is not available, connect the Chromecast to your nearest power outlet with the included cable. If you own a Chromecast Ultra, connect it to your TV’s HDMI port, and connect its charging cord to a power outlet (it will not work with any USB cable or port). You can also connect the Chromecast Ultra to a nearby Ethernet port if you want a wired internet connection.

2. Download and install the Google Home app on your Android phone or tablet.

3. Open the Google Home app and tap on the Get Started option. You will then be asked to confirm which Google Account you want to use for the Chromecast. If you don’t have a Google Account, you will need one before you can continue.

4. You will have to give your Android device permission to use location services and access so it can find your Chromecast. If this is ready, tap on OK to continue.

5. The app will then scan the area to find your Chromecast. When it does, tap on Next. If you have more than one nearby Chromecast in your home, the app will show a list of them. Just tap on the device you want to set up, and then tap Next.

6. When the Google Home app detects your Chromecast, tap Next. If you have more than one nearby Chromecast in your home, the app will show a list of them. Just tap on the device you want to set up, and then tap Next.

7. The TV Chromecast is connected to should then display a unique code. If you see it, tap on Yes. If you don’t, your phone or tablet may not be close enough to the Chromecast. Move in a bit closer, tap on Try again, then tap on Scan for devices to repeat the previous process.

8. It will ask if you want to share your Chromecast’s stats, along with any crash reports, with Google. You can either tap Yes, I’m in or No thanks to this selection.

9. Some users may be asked which region of the world they are located in. If this shows up in the setup on the Google Home app, go to the region list, then tap on the region you’re in, and then tap Continue.

10. You will then be asked which room the Chromecast is located in your home from a list. Tap on it and then tap Next. If you want to create your own room name, tap on Add custom room, type in the name of that room, and then tap Next.

11. If you are connecting your Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network, choose the network on the Google Home app you want to connect to and then type Next. If you are connecting your Chromecast Ultra via the wired Ethernet connection, you can skip this step and the next one.

12. If your Android phone or tablet uses Android 5.0 Lollipop or above, your home Wi-Fi network’s password should automatically fill in the password field in the Google Home app when you tap OK. If this happens, tap on Connect next to complete the process. You can also choose the Enter manually option, and you can type in your Wi-Fi network password on your own, and tap Connect.

13. The app will then ask you to link the Chromecast to your Google Account for a more personalized experience. Just tap Continue on this page.

14. The Google Home app will show you a summary of what you have set up, and you will be given options to sign up for email updates, view a video tutorial on how to cast, and an option on how to set up other functionality. All of these are optional, however, and are not needed to complete the Chromecast setup.

15. That’s it: you are done and ready to stream, mirror, and cast with your Android phone or tablet.

Read more: Best Chromecast apps for Android

How to set up Chromecast for iOS (iPhone and iPad)

1. Turn on your TV. If you own a regular Chromecast, connect it to your TV’s HDMI port, and then connect its power cord to an available USB port on your TV. If one is not available, connect the Chromecast to your nearest power outlet with the included cable. If you own a Chromecast Ultra, connect it to your TV’s HDMI port, and then connect its charging cord to a power outlet (it will not work with any USB cable or port). You can also connect the Chromecast Ultra to a nearby Ethernet port if you want a wired internet connection.

2. Download and install the Google Home app on your iPhone or iPad.

3. Open the Google Home app and tap the Get Started option. It will ask you to confirm which Google Account you want to use for the Chromecast. If you don’t have a Google Account, you will need one before you can continue.

4. The Google Home app will want to use your iPhone or iPad’s Bluetooth support for the next step. If Bluetooth is turned on already, skip this step. If it is turned off, or if you don’t want to use Bluetooth, you can tap on No thanks. Then tap on the Home button on your device, go into the Settings section and tap Wi-Fi. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device. Go back to the Google Home app, and it should detect the Chromecast.

5. The app will then scan the area to find your Chromecast. When it does, tap on Next. If you have more than one nearby Chromecast in your home, the app will show a list of them. Just tap on the device you want to set up, and then tap Next.

6. The TV the Chromecast is connected to should then display a unique code. If you see it, tap on Yes. If you don’t, your phone or tablet may not be close enough to the Chromecast. Move in a bit closer, tap Try again, then tap on Scan for devices to repeat the previous process.

7. It will ask if you want to share your Chromecast’s stats, along with any crash reports, with Google. You can either tap Yes, I’m in or No thanks to this selection.

8. Some users may be asked which region of the world they are located in. If this shows up in the setup on the Google Home app, go to the region list, then tap on the region where you are located, and then tap Continue.

9. You will then be asked which room the Chromecast is located in your home from a list. Tap on it and then tap Next. If you want to create your own room name, tap on Add custom room, type in the name of that room, and then tap Next.

10. If you are connecting your Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network, choose the network on the Google Home app you want to connect to and then type Next. If you are connecting your Chromecast Ultra via the wired Ethernet connection, you can skip this step and the next one.

11. You can type in your Wi-Fi network password on your own in the app, and then tap Connect.

12. The app will then ask you to link the Chromecast to your Google Account for a more personalized experience. Just tap Continue on this page.

13. The Google Home app will show you a summary of what you have set up, with options to sign up for email updates, view a video tutorial on how to cast, and an option on how to set up other functionality. None of these are needed to complete the Chromecast setup.

14. That’s it: the Chromecast setup procedure is completed, so you are now ready to stream and cast with your iPhone or iPad.

Read more: Things you didn’t know you could do with Chromecast

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