How to Set Up a Chromecast

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Choose your Chromecast Device

  1. Chromecast 1st Gen.
Product image


  1. Chromecast 2nd Gen.
Product image


  1. Chromecast Ultra
Product image

2. Plug in

Connect your Chromecast (1st Generation) to your TV. Here's how,

Illustration of Chromecast being plugged into television and USB power into wall outlet
  1. Plug one end of the USB cable into your Chromecast and the other end of the cable into the power supply and then into a power outlet. A USB power cable and power adapter is included in the box and is ready to use.
  2. Plug Chromecast into any available HDMI input on the TV.
  3. If there is no available open outlet, you can connect your Chromecast to the USB port on your TV.

Make sure to plug in the USB cable to the port labeled 'USB' or with the USB symbol and not the port labeled 'Service'.

3. Introduction

This is a step-by-step instruction on how to set up your Chromecast Device

Choose the device you are using to get started.

4. Introduction

To set up your Chromecast we need to make sure that your Google Chrome browser is updated. Here's how:

5. Update

Method 1: Navigate Directly

  1. Open Google Chrome browser.
  2. Navigate to chrome://settings/help
Browser tab with chrome settings link, chrome://settings/help


  1. Select Update Google Chrome, unless the browser is already up to date.

Method 2: Navigate Via Menus

  1. Open Google Chrome browser.
  2. At the top right, click on the More icon.
Chrome window with menu button highlighted


  1. Click on Settings.
Chrome menu with Settings highlighted


  1. At the top left hand, tap on the icon for more settings.
Chrome window with additional settings button highlighted


  1. Choose About Chrome.
Settings with About Chrome highlighted


  1. Select Update Google Chrome, unless the browser is already up to date.

6. Set up with Computer

After updating Google Chrome, type chromecast.com/setup in the address bar and press Enter on your keyboard.

Browser window with chromecast.com/setup in the address bar, highlighted

1. On the website, look for the link that says set up your Chromecast using this computer.

Chromecast setup welcome screen

2. Chrome will now look for Chromecast devices that need to be set up.

Google Cast window searching for Cast devices

3. Click the device that matches the Chromecast name you see on your TV. It will be something like ChromecastXXXX. Click on Set Me Up.

Setup will try to automatically connect to the Wi-fi hotspot produced by your Chromecast device.

4. Click on Next

5. Confirm Code. The code on your device should match the code on your TV, click Yes.

6. Change the name of your Chromecast by typing in a new name (ex. Kitchen, Living Room etc.) or leave it as the default name.

7. Choose your country.

8. Click Looks Good.

9. Choose your Wi-Fi network by clicking the upside down arrow. Enter your password.

10. Click Connect.

11. Once successfully connected, your Chromecast is now ready to cast. You can cast your favorite Chromecast cast-enabled mobile app or cast a tab from the Chrome browser on your computer.

 

7. Cast Screen with Computer

Here's how to cast your screen using your computer:

  1. Launch Google Chrome.
  2. At the top right, look for More.
Menu button


  1. Select Cast
Menu with Cast option highlighted


4. Next to the where it says, Cast to ..., you'll see a small dropdown. Click on that ti change the source selection.

Cast to window with device shown

5 Select Cast desktop

Select source window with Cast desktop highlighted

6. Choose the Chromecast device you want to cast to.


8. Introduction

What you need to get started

  • A Chromecast device.
  • Latest version of the Google Home app.
  • Latest version of Google app.
  • A Google account.
  • An Android (4.4 or higher) mobile device or tablet.
  • An Internet connection.
  • Access to a secure wireless network. Make sure you have the wireless network password handy.

9. Set up with Android

Here's how to setup Chromecast with your Android device.

  1. Plug in Chromecast.
  2. Download and install the Google Home app by going to g.co/home/setup using a web browser from your Chromecast-supported device.
Google Home app page with Install highlighted


  1. Make sure that your mobile device/ tablet and your Chromecast device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network that you intend to use setting it up.
  2. Tap the Google Home app on your android device to launch the program.
  3. Choose which Google Account that you want to link to Chromecast or add a different account if you don't see the account you want to use. Tap OK.
  4. Usually, it will automatically prompt you to begin the setup process when you launch the app, if not, you can tap the device icon in the upper right corner. 
Home menu with device link icon highlighted


  1. The app will connect your phone to your new Chromecast so that you can configure it. Tap Set up.
  2. A code will be displayed on your TV to make sure that you are setting up the right device. If the code matched, tap I see the code.
TV with code highlighted, mobile phone with code highlighted


  1. Tap the region list. Select your region then press Continue.
  2. Choose the room where your device is located to identify the device when you want to cast it. Tap Continue.
Name your Chromecast setup window


10. Connect Wi-Fi

Connect Chromecast to your Wi-Fi

  1. Power on your Chromecast.
  2. Go to your Wi-Fi settings and select your new Chromecast. Look for the same device name you see on your TV screen. 
  3. Go to Chromecast application and it should say "We found a new Chromecast", then click Next.
  4. Verify Chromecast, the code in your phone should be the same in your TV, then click Next.
  5. Select Country.
  6. Rename your Chromecast, then click Next.
  7. Wi-Fi Network, then click Set up.
  8. Select your SSID/Network name and enter your password.
  9. Your Chromecast should now be connected to your home network.
Successful setup confirmation on device and ready to cast displayed on television


11. Cast Screen with Android

Here's an instruction on how to cast your screen using your android phone/ tablet:

  1. Open the Google Home App.
icon


  1. In the top left corner of the home screen, tap Menu.
icon


  1. Tap on Cast Screen/ audio.

12. Introduction

What you need to get started

  • A Chromecast device.
  • Latest version of the Google Home app.
  • An iPhone or iPad device (iOS 9.1 and higher)
  • An Internet connection.
  • Access to a secure wireless network. Make sure you have the wireless network password handy.

13. Set up with iOS

Here's how to setup Chromecast to your iOS device.

  1. Plug in Chromecast.
  2. Download and install the Google Home app by going to chromecast/setup using a web browser from your Chromecast-supported device.
App page on App Store


  1. Make sure that your iOS device/ iPad tablet and your Chromecast device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network that you intend to use setting it up.
iOS device setttings screens, Wi-Fi and Chromecast highlighted


  1. Tap the Google Home app on your iOS device to launch the program.
  2. You will be prompted to set up your Chromecast device, click Next.
Chromecast setup prompt


  1. A code will be displayed on your TV to make sure that you are setting up the right device. If the code matched, tap I see the code.
Television and mobile app displaying connection code
  1. The Google Home app will automatically scan for nearby devices that are plugged in and ready to set up. If multiple devices are found, choose your device then tap Next.
  2. Tap the region list. Select your region then press Continue.
  3. Choose the room where your device is located to identify the device when you want to cast it. Tap Continue.
Name your Chromecast setup screen

14. Connect Wi-Fi

Connect Chromecast to your Wi-Fi

  1. Power on your Chromecast.
  2. Go to your Wi-Fi settings and select your new Chromecast. Look for the same device name you see on your TV screen. 
  3. Go to Chromecast application and it should say "We found a new Chromecast", then click Next.
  4. Verify Chromecast, the code in your phone should be the same in your TV, then click Next.
  5. Select Country.
  6. Rename your Chromecast, then click Next.
  7. Wi-Fi Network, then click Set up.
  8. Select your SSID/Network name and enter your password.
  9. Your Chromecast should now be connected to your home network.
Successful setup confirmation on device and ready to cast displayed on television


15. Cast Screen with iOS

Here's an instruction on how to cast your screen using your iOS device:

  1. Open the Google Home App.
icon


  1. At the top right, tap Cast.
icon


  1. Select your Chromecast.
  2. Open a photo or video on the device to display it on your TV.

16. Plug in

Connect your Chromecast (2nd Generation) to your TV. Here's how,

Illustration of remote and television with Chromecast plugged into the television and wall outlet
  1. Plug one end of the USB cable into your Chromecast and the other end of the cable into the power supply and then into a power outlet. A USB power cable and power adapter is included in the box and is ready to use.
  2. Plug Chromecast into any available HDMI input on the TV.
  3. If there is no available power outlet, you can connect your Chromecast to the USB port on your TV instead.

17. Plug in

Connect your Chromecast Ultra to your TV. Here's how,

Product image
  1. Plug one end of the power supply into your Chromecast Ultra and the other end of the cable into an open outlet. You can also connect your Chromecast Ultra to an Ethernet network through the port on the power supply.
  2. Plug your Chromecast Ultra into any open HDMI input on your TV.

Chromecast Ultra won't work with any other USB cable, or any USB cable plugged into a TV. You must use the power supply included in the Chromecast Ultra box.