Connect Chromecast to Google Home
Before you begin, you’ll need to make sure your Chromecast is set up to work with your television and Wi-Fi network. You’ll also want to make sure you have your Google Home device set up on the same network. First, connect your Android phone or iPhone to the same Wi-Fi network as your Google Home and Chromecast. Then, launch the Google Home app on your device. In the top left corner of the app’s Home screen, tap on the menu icon. Make sure you’re using the same Google account you set up on your Google Home smart speaker. You can switch accounts with a tap to the downward-facing triangle to the right of the account name. Next, tap More settings, then TVs and Speakers. You should see a list of all your currently linked devices. To add a new one (or your first), tap the Plus icon in the screen’s lower-right corner. If you’ve set up your Chromecast correctly, you should see the new device in the resulting list. To add it to Google Home, tap the checkbox next to the device name, then tap Add. Now you’re set to start using the Google Home app for Chromecast.
Setting up Video Apps for Chromecast and Google Home
Some video services, like Netflix, Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access), and HBO require you to log in before using them with Google Home and Chromecast. Below is a list from Google’s help page: Services that need a login:
NetflixParamount+HBOVikiStarz
Services that do not need a login:
CWYouTube/YouTube TVCrackleRed BullGoogle TV
Using Google Home Chromecast Voice Commands
You can control your Chromecast with the Google Home app, but using voice commands is much faster and more convenient. Activating Google Home with your voice requires a catchphrase, either “Hey Google” or “OK Google.” Then you can voice whatever command you want from there. If you have multiple Chromecast devices, specify which one. We denoted this below with brackets. So, a complete command would consist of: Here’s an example: “Hey Google, play My Next Guest Needs No Introduction on [device].” The first phrase would be whatever show you want to watch, while the bracketed phrase is the literal name of your connected device. If you use a streaming service like Netflix, HBO Now, or Paramount+, you can ask Google Home and Chromecast to play any show from those services. For example, try your activation catchphrase, then say, “Play Stranger Things on [service].” Other services like YouTube also let you play videos with your voice. Say, “Play Fred Armisen Texas accents on YouTube” or “Play Adele videos on YouTube” after you use the activation phrase. If you want to specify a video on YouTube (or any other connected service), add “on” at the end of your command. You can get Chromecast to play, pause and resume any video (or music, for that matter) you watch on your TV via Google’s device. Say your preferred catchphrase, then “Pause,” “Play,” or “Resume.” These commands work even with services not currently logged into through Google Home, like Hulu. Use your catchphrase and say “Stop” when you’ve finished listening or watching. Scrubbing through a video you’re watching with your voice is also straightforward. You can tell Chromecast to back up specific amounts of time, like “Go back 10 seconds” or “Go forward two minutes.” If the volume of your TV needs adjusting, say, “Set volume to 50 percent,” or “Volume down on [device].” If you want to mute it altogether, say “Mute.” You can follow that up with “Unmute” when you’re ready for the sound to come on again. You can even turn your TV off and on if your TV has HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (or HDMI CEC). Say, “Hey Google, turn on [device].”
