We love the Chromecast: it’s amazingly cheap and provides the simplest way of sending video from your tablet or smartphone to your TV on the other side of the room. The genius of the Chromecast, however, is that it’s more than a simple video streamer: in this guide we’ll show you how to use Chromecast to stream almost anything from anywhere to the screen of your living room TV.
You can stream music, games, even photos to the Chromecast, and it’s even possible to mirror the screen of your Windows or Mac desktop. Use the dropdown navigation menu above to go straight to the section you need, or read on for a step-by-step guide on how to set everything up.
How to use Chromecast
To get started, you’re going to need a Chromecast or Chromecast 2 and a spare HDMI input on your TV.
Once you’ve got yours, set it up and connected it to your TV, all you need is to do install the Chromecast app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, and follow the instructions on-screen. It really is that simple.
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Buy a Chromecast 2 – you might as well, they’re only £30 each
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Connect it to your TV and set it up using the Chromecast App
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Download any Google Cast-enabled app and look for the Cast symbol, then tap it to stream. Below, we show you where you’ll find the location of this icon across three of the most common apps:
Use Chromecast to stream BBC iPlayer
On BBC iPlayer you’ll find the icon in the top right corner of the app. If you don’t see it, close the app down, kill it off using the multitasking view and restart it. You should now be able to see the icon. Tap it, then select your Chromecast to cast iPlayer content to your TV.
Use Chromecast to stream Netflix
On Netflix the icon is in the same place as on BBC iPlayer – in the top right of the screen. To cast, press the icon, select your Chromecast from the next box and – after a short delay – the video will play on your TV.
Use Chromecast to stream Spotify
The Chromecast finally has official Spotify support, but where is that pesky Cast icon? It’s in a different place to the BBC iPlayer and Netflix apps, at the very bottom of the Now Playing screen, where you’ll see a link to Devices Available. Tap that, select your Chromecast on the next screen and you’ll have Spotify on your TV. Magic.
Go to the next page to find out how to use Chromecast on PC and laptop.
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