As an owner of a Chromecast device, I was frustrated to find out that I couldn’t use Chromecast with my mobile data. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share my experience and solutions I discovered to help others who may be in the same boat.
Luckily, the answer is yes. You can easily use your Chromecast with mobile data (mirroring) or a mobile phone’s hotspot, although these features aren’t officially supported.
| Tips: |
|---|
| Chromecast can be used with mobile data or a mobile hotspot |
| To use Chromecast with mobile data, set up a mobile hotspot |
| To use Chromecast with a mobile hotspot, turn on mobile data |
| You cannot cast content from the same phone generating hotspot |
| Using Chromecast with mobile data comes with limitations |
Table of Contents
Use Chromecast With Mobile Data (Mirroring)
The best way to use Chromecast with mobile data is to set up a mobile hotspot and follow the steps in the next section.
However, if for any reason you’re unable to generate a mobile hotspot, there’s a way to directly view the content of the streaming apps that are working via the phone’s mobile data on the Chromecast through a feature known as mirroring.
This is possible only on Android devices by following the steps below:
- On your Android smartphone or tablet with an active mobile data connection, open the Google Home app.
- In the top left section of the home screen, look for the menu icon that looks like 3 lines and tap it.
- From the options, choose ‘Cast Screen/Audio’.
- Look for your Chromecast device’s name in the options list and then tap it.
- This will enable the mirroring of your smartphone or tablet. As a result, you’ll be able to see whatever is displayed on your Android device through your Chromecast without a Wi-Fi network.
Use Chromecast With Mobile Hotspot
Instead of casting from the smartphone with mobile data activated, you can connect your Chromecast to a smartphone with a mobile hotspot set up.
Here are the steps for using Chromecast with a mobile hotspot:
- On your smartphone or tablet with a cellular connection (Android or iOS), make sure it supports 3G, 4G, or 5G.
- Go to settings then connectivity options.
- Turn on mobile data.
- Locate the mobile hotspot icon and tap it to turn on the function.
- Change the mobile hotspot’s name and password. They should be the same as the name and password of the Wi-Fi network you typically connect to your Chromecast.
- Once you’re sure the hotspot’s internet connection is working properly, switch off the router or modem of your original Wi-Fi network. If you’re not at the location where your regular Wi-Fi network is, there’s no need for turning it off because the Chromecast will be out of its range anyway.
- Plug the Chromecast into a power source and then connect it to your TV.
- Turn on both devices.
- Your Chromecast should automatically recognize and connect to your phone’s mobile hotspot within a few seconds. From this point, you should be able to use your Chromecast like normal.
If you’re yet to set up your Chromecast, you’ll need to use a different device from the one generating the internet hotspot. On the new device, download and install the Google Home app.
Then, tap the ‘plus’ button on the top left section of the app’s screen. After that, open ‘Set up a device’ and choose ‘New devices’.
Once the setup is complete, the Home app will ask you to connect to a Wi-Fi network if you want. Now is when you can select the mobile hotspot and then type in the password to connect it to your Chromecast.
Additionally, keep in mind that you can’t cast content from the same phone or tablet generating the mobile hotspot to your Chromecast.
This means you’ll need to connect the other smartphone or tablet to the mobile hotspot device and then use it to cast to Chromecast.
Challenges of Using Chromecast With Mobile Data
Using Chromecast with mobile data comes with a set of limitations that make it less than convenient. You should consider the following before going through with the decision:
- Chromecast will be using up your data, not just for streaming but also for background processes. If your data plan is unlimited or you don’t mind paying for extra capacity, then you don’t have to worry about this.
However, as most of us use a limited data plan, using Chromecast can eat up a huge chunk of data and lead to significant additional charges.
- The internet speed of a mobile network is always notably less than Wi-Fi. It can be so slow to the point that whatever you’re streaming via Chromecast keeps buffering or crashing.
- As mentioned earlier, using Chromecast with mobile data or hotspot isn’t officially supported. This is just a “hack” that other users have shared to overcome the absence of Wi-Fi, which means no one can guarantee it’ll continue working in the future.
Pros of using Chromecast with Mobile data
- It’s an easy and convenient way to use Chromecast when there is no Wi-Fi available.
- You can get the same Chromecast experience with your mobile data.
Cons of using Chromecast with Mobile data
- It can use up a lot of data, especially for background processes.
- Internet speed can be slow, leading to buffering and crashing.
- It’s not officially supported, so no one can guarantee it’ll continue to work in the future.
Wrap Up
So, can you use Chromecast with mobile data? The answer is yes.
You can easily use your Chromecast with mobile data (mirroring) or a mobile phone’s hotspot, although these features aren’t officially supported.
