As an owner of Google Chromecast, I was frustrated when I tried to browse the internet on it and found out it wasn’t possible. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved the problem and some other solutions I discovered. In this blog post, I’ll explain how you can browse the internet on Google Chromecast.
Although Google Chromecast doesn’t have a built-in browser to surf the web, you can still use it to browse the internet in various ways. The most convenient one is casting a web page from Chrome directly to your screen.
| Tips for Browsing the Web on Google Chromecast |
|---|
| – Google Chromecast doesn’t have a built-in browser, so you can’t use it to directly browse the web. |
| – You can cast web pages from Google Chrome on another device to use on your TV. |
| – You can also download Android TV browsers from Google Play Store or sideload them using APK files. |
| – Make sure that your laptop, Chromecast and Android devices are connected to the same WiFi network before trying to browse the internet. |
Table of Contents
Can I Browse the Internet Using Google Chromecast?
The answer to this question mainly depends on how you phrase it. If you’re asking whether Google Chromecast has its own web browser that is built right into the small device, then the answer is no.
Although the name “Google Chromecast” is quite similar to “Google Chrome”, which is the name of Google’s browser, Chromecast doesn’t come with a built-in browser that you can use directly on the TV.
Despite that, you can still use the Google Chromecast to browse the internet in more than one way, thanks to the functionality of the device and the features it provides your TV with, especially if it’s an Android TV.
How to Browse the Internet with Google Chromecast
There’s a variety of methods that you can use to utilize Google Chromecast when it comes to surfing the web. Yet, each one of these methods has its own pros and cons.
In the following list, we’ll show you how to use each one of these methods to browse the internet:
Method 1: Casting Chrome Tabs from a Computer
The first method to surf the web with Chromecast is perhaps the easiest, although it requires a laptop to work. You can also use a desktop if you have a WiFi adapter installed on the device.
First, you should make sure that both your computer and your Chromecast device are connected to the same WiFi network.
Also, you need to have the latest version of Google Chrome on your device for optimum smoothness and response time. To start browsing the internet, you need to do the following:
- Open Google Chrome
- Head to the settings menu on the top right corner, which has the “3 vertical dots” icon.
- Choose the “Cast” option from the drop down menu. A window will appear with a message saying “Looking for devices”.
- When the window detects your Chromecast device, tap it.
You should now be able to see your browser on the TV. to make it easier to browse away from the laptop. Consider buying a wireless Mouse and Keyboard set with a good range and attach it to the laptop.
Method 2: Using Screen Mirroring from Android Devices
Read more: Can you use Chromecast on another TV?
Another method that you can use to browse web pages on your TV with Chromecast is by using screen mirroring. This feature allows you to stream a live feed of your android device directly to your TV.
This method might be counterintuitive if you’re browsing the web page on your own, as you’re better off doing it directly on your phone or tablet.
However, it’s an excellent method for demonstrations and browsing with others, as it can work similarly to how a projector does.
To do that, you simply need to do the following:
- Starting by making sure that the two devices are connected to the same WiFi network.
- Install the Google Home app on your Android device
- On the home screen, tap the “Mirror Device” box, then “Cast Screen”
- Choose your Chromecast device, and you should be able to browse pages on your TV.
Method 3: Using Android Web Browsers to Chromecast on Android TVs
This method is called sideloading, where you install APK files directly on Chromecast with Google TV. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the settings menu on the Google TV home screen, then go to System > Android TV OS Build, then tap it until the message “you’re now a developer” appears.
- In the same menu, head to “Apps” and activate the “Install from Unknown sources” option.
- Download the APK file for any browser you like, then transfer the file to a USB stick, and attach it to your Chromecast device.
- Alternatively, you can use the Downloader app on the play store to directly download the APK on the Android TV. Now if you try to open the browser just like any app, it should work.
Method 4: Downloading Android TV browsers on Google Play
Lastly, you can simply download any Android TV browser that is available on Google Play, such as Puffin TV Browser. This only works with the Chromecast with Google TV.
However, almost all good options available require a subscription fee to work. Yet, they’re a great solution if you don’t want the hassle of sideloading the apps yourself!
Final Words
Read more: Can you use two Chromecasts in one house?
As you can see, Google Chromecast doesn’t have a browser that’s built right into it. So, you can’t simply attach the Google Chromecast dongle and simply surf the web using it.
With that said, you can still browse the internet using a Google Chromecast dongle using various methods. The easiest one is to simply cast web pages from Google Chrome on another device, and use a keyboard and mouse on the TV to control them.
You can also download Android TV browsers from Google Play Store with the device or by sideloading them using APK files, which is a more tedious process but gives you the best long-term results.
