Editor’s note: In light of recent Fire OS updates from Amazon, Chromecast with Google TV is now our top recommendation for budget digital signage hardware. If you’re migrating away from a Fire TV Stick or other Amazon device, read this article first. [Updated April 2024]

Google’s Chromecast was one of the earliest low-cost, low-profile digital media players. From its first generation release in 2013, Chromecast devices let you “cast” content from your Android phone, tablet, or computer to a TV screen–even if that TV didn’t have built-in WiFi or “smart” features. 

Although streaming content from your laptop or phone's home screen to your TV feels like table stakes today, Google has added many features and content options to keep Chromecast relevant for modern use cases.

In late 2020, Google’s media player added enough memory and processing power to handle everything from employee engagement to digital TV menu boards. And in this guide, we’ll dive into more detail on what the Chromecast with Google TV is, what you can do with it, and how to set it up. 

What is a Chromecast with Google TV, and what can it do?

Chromecast with Google TV is a small plastic puck, with a footprint the size of an average computer mouse. There is a ~3-inch HDMI cable coming out of one end and a USB-C port on the other for power. Packaged along with the main unit is a Google TV remote, two AAA batteries, a ~5ft USB-C cable, and a 7.5W charging head.

Although Chromecast’s Tech Specs page somehow makes no mention of processing power, RAM, or onboard storage, Wikipedia claims the 4K model has a system-on-chip 1.9GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 8GB of onboard storage, making its specs strikingly similar to those of the Fire TV Stick 4k. The ~$20 cheaper HD Chromecast (i.e. without 4K-resolution support) has a slightly slower processor and less RAM.

Any Chromecast with “Google TV” in its official name runs on the Android TV operating system, which Google claims supports more than 11,000 apps, including the ScreenCloud player. And, if you have the Google Home app installed on your smartphone or tablet, you can cast your screen to a TV that’s on the same WiFi network and has a Chromecast plugged in and powered on. You can also cast YouTube, Netflix, and other supported streaming content from an iPhone as well.

In a home or personal setting, Chromecast is best for:

Watching YouTube, Netflix, Max, Disney+ or other popular media platforms

Streaming music, podcasts, and audiobooks from your TV

Browsing family photos and videos, either manually or as a TV screensaver

In a business or professional environment, you can use Chromecast with Google TV to:

Quickly and easily screen share during meetings

Showcase project management, finance, and sales dashboards

Display and update digital bulletin boards

While most modern TVs are “smart” right out of the box–with their own app stores and voice-controlled remotes–app developers are far more likely to build apps for Android TV than manufacturer-specific stores. That means access to more apps, for longer, as Google has a history of providing updates for Chromecast devices for several years (the 2013 model was supported until 2023). 

It’s not hard to get your hands on Google’s budget media player. You can buy one directly from the Google Store or Amazon. Or, if you’re in a rush to experiment with one before investing in a fleet of Chromecasts, most big-box electronics retailers keep them in stock.

Google discounts Chromecast devices several times a year. If you can wait a few weeks, you’ll likely score $10 off the $50 4k model. Also, the hardware refresh cycle tends to run every 2-3 years, when older models receive even steeper discounts.

How to set up a Chromecast with Google TV

The first three generations of Chromecast devices had no remote control, minimal user interfaces, and were much easier to use without a Google account. Current models, however, all but require a Google account. So, before getting started, make sure you’re logging into a Google account on your phone.

Step 1: Install the Google Home app (Android or iOS)

Open the app store on your phone, search for “Google Home”, install it, and log in with your Google account. Most of the Chromecast setup and onboarding will occur on your phone, in this app.

Step 2: Insert batteries into your Google TV remote

Your Chromecast will begin searching for your remote as soon as you power it on. If you haven’t put the batteries in, the Chromecast will be stuck on the remote pairing screen until you do so.

Step 3: Power on your Chromecast and plug it into HDMI

Connect a USB-C cable to your Chromecast and plug it into an outlet within reach of your TV. Then, connect to your TV’s HDMI port and turn the screen on, making sure to switch to the correct source channel. 

If you see a message about pairing, make sure you’ve put batteries in the remote. Try pressing the Back and Home buttons simultaneously if there’s an issue.

Step 4: Pick the device language and open Google Home on your phone

Before switching over to your phone for the rest of onboarding, you’ll be asked to pick your preferred language. Next is a page with instructions for scanning a QR code from within the Google Home app to pair the device.

Step 5: Add your Chromecast with Google TV to Google Home

In the Google Home app on your phone, open the Devices tab (along the bottom of the screen), tap + Add, and select Google Nest or partner device. Set up a new “Home” and/or pick from your list of existing options. The app will search for available nearby devices and give you a chance to scan the QR code from the previous step.

Step 6: Accept the Terms of Service, connect to WiFi, and sign in

After presenting you with several security, privacy, and service approvals, Google Home will ask you to type in your WiFi password and then sign into your Google account.

After all that, you’ll have a few small personalization questions about what types of “ambient” content you want (essentially screensavers that can pull photos from your albums and/or a handful of public albums). 

Finally, your Chromecast with Google TV will download and install the latest software updates, which for us took almost 20 minutes on 100mbps internet. 

How to install and open apps on the Chromecast with Google TV

There are several ways to search for and install apps on your Chromecast. One option is to install them from the Google Play store on the phone you paired to your Chromecast. For compatible apps, there will be a down arrow next to the Install button and an option to add apps to your Chromecast remotely. 

Using the Google TV remote, you can press and hold the Assistant button to dictate your search or scroll to the magnifying glass along the top of the screen and type out a search with the onscreen keyboard (there’s also a search bar inside the Apps tab). 

Keep in mind that you can have multiple profiles on one Chromecast with Google TV. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, first, ensure you’re signed into the right profile.

After clicking an app’s install button, you can open the app by pressing the Google Assistant button and saying “Open [appname]”, or from the For you tab (scroll down to Your apps) or the Apps tab. If you want to move an installed app up to the front of your app list or uninstall it, focus the virtual cursor on it and then press and hold the select button on your Google TV remote.  

How to set up ScreenCloud on a Chromecast with Google TV

Use the steps above to search for and install the ScreenCloud Digital Signage Player from the Google TV app store. After the first launch, you’ll have the option to enable the Start at boot feature. If you turn that on, the ScreenCloud Player will request permission to display over other apps. 

Once you’re in the app, your screen should show a six-character pairing code. Go to studio.screencloud.com, log in, navigate to the Screens tab, click New Screen, and type in the code from your Chromecast’s screen. You’ll be all set up to start displaying amazing content with your Chromecast:

30 Examples of Good Content for Digital Signage

How to Create Your Own Digital Signage Content

How to Build a Notion Dashboard for Digital Signage

If you need to change any of the Player’s settings, simply press and hold the select button on your Google TV remote inside the app to open the menu.

Pros of using a Chromecast with Google TV for digital signage

Aside from the Android TV’s expansive app store, the best reason to use a Chromecast for budget digital signage is that it lets you bypass the default home screen when the device first turns on. Amazon’s Fire TV Stick used to do that, and we previously recommended the Fire TV Stick over Chromecast for low-cost digital signage hardware. Since that’s no longer an option on the Fire TV Stick, and Google’s media player offers essentially the same specs for the same price (with more freedom when booting straight to your signage), it’s earned our top spot.

Cons of using an Chromecast with Google TV for digital signage

Relative to other devices in this price range, there aren’t many drawbacks to the Chromecast with Google TV. If you’re comparing it to media players that are in the mid-$100 price range, though, the Chromecast doesn’t have nearly as much processing power, storage, or device management features. For a little extra money, something like the Station P1 Pro lets you sync more resource-intensive content without all the unnecessary streaming services and movie rental tiles.

There have been a few recent additions in the budget media player space recently. Pair those with the hardware on its third or fourth iteration, and there seem to be almost too many options. But as Linus Tech Tips pointed out, many come with untrustworthy software installed. Narrow your search down to one of these devices to avoid the risks:

Walmart’s unreasonably cheap digital media player is often priced at less than $20, despite having hardware that The Verge claims is “largely similar to Google’s Chromecast with Google TV 4K in terms of performance and its day-to-day user experience…and without any blatant Walmart advertising.” That might change in the future, but for now, it’s a steal.

As a plug-and-play streaming stick, Roku’s offering is pretty close to the Chromecast. It comes with a voice-controlled remote, a decently sized app store, and enough onboard storage. It doesn’t have the same amount of processing power or network capabilities, but depending on your use case, that may be fine.

If you’re not looking for digital signage hardware, Amazon’s hardware is a solid choice. It’s got plenty of app options, Alexa voice control, and almost identical specs to the Chromecast. Or, if you need more power, there’s a 4k Max stick and the even higher-end Fire TV Cube, both with 16GB of onboard storage.

It’s a bit bigger than the Chromecast and more expensive ($129), but the Apple TV hardware is worth considering if you want something between a streaming stick and a micro PC. It’s faster, with more memory, and has a dedicated ethernet port for faster downloads. Think of it as the little cousin of the Mac Mini.

Watch the guided Chromecast with Google TV walkthrough

If you’d rather see every step of the Chromecast setup process, Tom from the ScreenCloud team recorded a detailed video of the entire process, including how to install and configure our digital signage Player. Grab your Chromecast and a free ScreenCloud trial, and follow along!

How do I cast from Google Chrome on my laptop to my Chromecast?

On a laptop connected to the same WiFi network as your Chromecast, click the three vertical dots inside your Chrome browser, hover over Save and share, and click the Cast… button. Choose if you want to cast the tab or your entire screen, and then click the device name.

Pro tip: Right-click the Chromecast icon while it’s open and toggle the Always Show this icon option to pin it next to your search bar.

What does the small button do on the back of the Chromecast with Google TV?

This is the button for factory resetting the device. Press and hold it until the indicator light turns yellow and then white.

What does the button to the right of the power button do on the Google TV remote?

The button to the right of the power button lets you cycle through your TV’s HDMI and other input sources, as long as your TV works with the Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) standard.

Why don’t my volume or TV source buttons work?

Go to your Chromecast’s Settings menu, then Remotes & Accessories, and select Set up Remote buttons. If your TV is not compatible with CEC, switch from Auto or TV volume control to Chromecast volume control.

Does the Chromecast with Google TV have Bluetooth?

Yes. You can pair Bluetooth headphones, soundbars, game controllers, and other wireless devices. Open the Settings menu, go to Remote & Accessories, followed by Pair Remote or Accessory. Make sure your Bluetooth device is in pairing mode, and then look for it in the Chromecast list of available devices.

How do I manually check for updates on my Chromecast device?

To make sure your Chromecast is up to date with the latest software and firmware, open the Settings menu, choose System, then About, and System update. This will search for and install any available updates.

Can I use my smartphone as a Chromecast remote?

Yes. Open the Google Home app, tap and hold on your Chromecast tile, and tap Open remote. This will trigger a pairing code on your Chromecast screen that you will enter on your phone. After pairing, your phone screen will show all of the buttons from your Google TV remote.

Can you use Chromecast without any cables?

No. To use a Chromecast you’ll need to plug the device into both an HDMI port and a charging head (with sufficient power) that is plugged into a wall socket.

Read about what it’s like to set up, use, and troubleshoot Google’s low-cost digital media player.

See what it’s like to set up, use, and troubleshoot Google’s low-cost digital media player.

A Beginner’s Guide to Chromecast with Google TV

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A Beginner’s Guide to Chromecast with Google TV

A Beginner’s Guide to Chromecast with Google TV

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