5 Hidden Google Chromecast Features You Should Know

Google Chromecast has been a household favorite for a decade, providing a seamless home entertainment experience for millions of users. While most people are familiar with its basic features, there’s a treasure trove of hidden capabilities that can enhance your Chromecast experience.

Whether you’re an old and experienced Google Chromecast user or new to the world of streaming devices, these five hidden Google Chromecast features are essential for maximizing your streaming experience.

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Why should you use a Google Chromecast?

Chromecast is a great way to stream content from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV. It’s also a relatively inexpensive device, and it’s easy to set up and use.

Here are some of the benefits of using a Google Chromecast:

You can watch your favorite shows, movies, and music on a bigger screen.
You can cast content from a variety of devices, including your phone, tablet, computer, and gaming console.
Chromecast is easy to set up and use.
Chromecast is relatively inexpensive.

What are the hidden Google Chromecast features?

1. Customize Your Home Screen with Apps Only Mode

The Chromecast home screen offers personalized show and movie recommendations, which can be handy when you’re unsure of what to watch. However, this can sometimes clutter your screen with too many suggestions. Enter the “Apps Only Mode.” This feature transforms your home screen into a minimalist haven, displaying only the apps you’ve installed on your TV and featured shows and movies.

To enable Apps Only Mode, follow these steps:

Open your Settings from the top-right of the screen.
Navigate to “Accounts & sign-in” and select your account.
Scroll down until you find “Apps only mode” and toggle it on.

Keep in mind that while in Apps Only Mode, the search feature and Google Assistant are disabled, and purchased movies from the Google Play Store will be hidden. You can access these movies through the Google TV app.

2. Use Your Phone as a Remote

We’ve all experienced the frustration of losing the TV remote in the couch cushions. Google Chromecast offers a modern solution to this age-old problem by allowing you to use your smartphone as a remote. This virtual remote includes buttons for navigation, volume control, media playback, and even a built-in keyboard for text input.

To use your phone as a Chromecast remote, follow these steps:

Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV.
Set up your Chromecast using the Google Home app.
In the Google Home app, select your connected Chromecast device.
Choose “Open remote” from the options at the bottom.
Enter the pairing code displayed on your TV to complete the setup.

Additionally, you can access the virtual remote from the Google TV app by selecting “TV Remote” and choosing your TV from the list.

3. Personalize Your Screensaver with Google Photos

Google Chromecast’s Ambient Mode displays screensaver photos when your device is idle. By default, it shows stock images, but you can customize it with your Google Photos. To do this, follow these steps:

Create an album in the Google Photos app on your phone (optional).
Launch the Google Home app.
Go to the Devices tab and select your Chromecast.
Open the device settings by clicking the gear icon.
Under Device features, choose “Ambient Mode.”
Select “Google Photos” and pick your desired album or use “Recent highlights.”
Customize your screensaver preferences, including weather, time, and photo data.

4. Control Smart Home Devices with Google Assistant

Google Chromecast comes equipped with Google Assistant, revolutionizing the way you interact with your smart TV. With Google Assistant, you can effortlessly perform tasks such as playing content, adjusting playback, and opening apps. It also allows you to control your smart home devices using voice commands, similar to what you would do with a Google Nest speaker.

Here are a few commands you can try:

“Turn on the coffee maker.”
“Set the living room light to blue.”
“Show me the hallway camera” (compatible with Google Assistant-compatible security cameras).

To control your smart devices through Chromecast, ensure that the devices are added to your Google Home app.

5. Set Up Multiple Profiles for Personalized Viewing

Sharing a TV with family members can lead to a cluttered home screen with different preferences and watchlists. Chromecast allows you to set up individual profiles for each household member, ensuring a personalized viewing experience.

To add a new profile to your Chromecast, follow these steps:

Open the Settings from your Chromecast home screen.
Select “Accounts & sign in.”
Press “Add an account” and follow the on-screen instructions.

This setup enables each user to customize their home screen, receive personalized recommendations, and manage their own watchlist.

Conclusion

Google Chromecast offers an array of hidden features that can significantly enhance your streaming experience. From decluttering your home screen to controlling smart home devices, customizing your screensaver, using your phone as a remote, and setting up individual profiles, Chromecast is more than just a streaming device; it’s your gateway to a smarter, more convenient entertainment experience. Discover these hidden gems and make the most out of your Chromecast today!