As a tech-savvy owner of a non-smart TV, I was frustrated to find out that I couldn’t use a Chromecast with my set. After a bit of research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved this problem and some other solutions I discovered along the way.
Yes, you can put a Chromecast on any TV, smart or not. The reason behind this is that a Chromecast only requires an HDMI port to connect to a TV, and most modern TVs have it. Plus, you’ll need a USB port to power the dongle, which you can easily find on the TV itself, or you may prefer to use a power adapter.
| Tips for using Chromecast |
|---|
| Chromecast only requires an HDMI port and a USB port to connect to a TV |
| You’ll need a stable Wi-Fi connection and a device (smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.) to let you mirror its content to the TV screen through the Chromecast |
| Follow the steps in the Google Home app to set up the Chromecast |
| Make sure the device you’ll be casting and the Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network |
| Popular services that support Chromecast streaming are Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora, YouTube, HBO Go, Red Bull, and PostTV |
Table of Contents
What Other Things Do You Need to Make a Chromecast Work on Your TV?
Chromecast dongles don’t require many things in addition to an HDMI port and a power source to bring your favorite Netflix shows to your TV screen.
You only need to have a stable Wi-Fi connection as well as another device to let you mirror its content to the TV screen through the Chromecast. This device will also work as your remote control.
Thankfully, most smart devices can fit into this role, including:
- A smartphone (an iPhone or Android phone)
- A tablet (can be both iOS or Android)
- A PC or laptop
How to Connect and Set Up a Chromecast on a TV?
The process of pairing a Chromecast with your TV, smart or non-smart, should only take a few minutes and doesn’t require a lot of effort on your part. In this section, we’ll walk you through the whole business.
- Plug your Chromecast into the TV’s HDMI port and connect it to a USB slot via the USB cable included
- If there isn’t a USB port available, plug the Chromecast’s USB cable into its specific power adapter, then attach the adapter to an outlet
- Download the Google Home app on your Android or iOS smartphone or tablet (make sure this app is always up to date to prevent errors)
- Open the Google Home app on your smart device and follow the steps that appear on your screen to set up Chromecast
- If the steps don’t show up automatically, tap the Add (+) mark at the top left of the Google Home app home screen
- Select “Set up device,” then pick “New device”
- Keep following the rest of the steps until you’re done setting up your Chromecast
- Make sure that the device you’ll be casting to the Chromecast and the dongle itself are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network
If you’re using a laptop or PC to connect to a Chromecast, you won’t need to download any apps. Simply, install the Chrome browser and use Chromecast directly from there. Here’s how to pin the Cast button to the Chrome toolbar:
- Head over to the Chrome Settings menu at the upper right part of the browser window (appears as three dots on top of each other)
- Select the option “Cast”
- The “Cast” icon will appear on your toolbar, so right-click on it and choose “Always show icon” from the drop-down menu
- Whenever you need to project your Chrome screen to your TV, just click that icon
Now that most of the work is over, it’s time to understand how exactly to use your smartphone or tablet to mirror its content to your TV.
How to Cast to Your TV From a Smartphone or a Tablet?
Casting to your non-smart TV is pretty straightforward. Here’s all you have to do:
- Again, ensure that both the Chromecast and your smartphone or tablet are connected to the same Wi-Fi network
- Open the Google Home application
- Put your finger on the tile of the device you want to cast your screen to and hold for a few seconds
- Tap “Cast,” then “Cast screen”
- The screen of your tablet or smartphone should now appear on your TV
What Apps or Services Can You Stream on Chromecast?
Many content sources support Chromecast streaming; those channels include:
- Netflix
- Hulu Plus
- Pandora
- YouTube
- HBO Go
- Red Bull.TV
- PostTV
In addition to these, you’ll be free to share your smartphone screen with your TV to present a slideshow of pictures, do a Facebook Live broadcast, and much more!
To Wrap It Up
Read more: Does Smartview work with Chromecast?
Can you put a Chromecast on any TV?
Fortunately, the answer is yes; you can connect a Chromecast to any TV, even if it’s not smart. As long as it has a reliable HDMI port and you have access to a USB power source, you should be all set to use your Chromecast.
Hopefully, after reading our guide, the entire setup and casting process should be done in a heartbeat!
