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Last updated: October 13, 2023
How To Use Your Chromecast Without A WiFi Connection: 4 Easy Ways

How To Use Your Chromecast Without A WiFi Connection: 4 Easy Ways

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Decided to cast your favorite content with Chromecast only to find your WiFi acting up? No need to get bummed out – there’s still a way to use Chromecast without WiFi. In fact, there is more than one way to do so. Let’s get right into it.

Before We Begin…

If your Chromecast is already connected to Wi-Fi and you are still unable to screen mirror iPhone to Chromecast, you should give DoCast a shot.

The DoCast app screenshots

Method #1 Connecting Devices To Chromecast Without Internet

Even if you do not have an active WiFi signal to connect your Chromecast to, you can still use it to cast videos by using the Guest mode. When the Guest mode is enabled, instead of relying on an external WiFi signal, Chromecast creates its own WiFi signal, much like a mini WiFi hotspot.

This means your guest can now connect to the Chromecast without needing access to the host’s WiFi network or without having to share the WiFi password with them.

In this context, the host is the person who owns and controls the Chromecast device and the WiFi network it’s usually connected to. This person has the authority to enable or disable Guest Mode on the Chromecast.

On the other hand, the “guest” is the person who is visiting the host’s location and wants to use the host’s Chromecast device. This could be a friend, relative, or any other visitor. In Guest Mode, guests can connect their smartphone to the Chromecast without needing to connect to the host’s WiFi network or knowing the WiFi password to stream from phone to TV.

However, the catch is that the host needs to be connected to their own WiFi network to enable guest mode. This could be an issue if you are the host who hasn’t activated the Guest Mode already and now no longer has WiFi access. In that case, you can use your mobile data or connect to a friend’s hotspot.

How To Enable Guest Mode On Chromecast As A Host

If you’re the owner of the Chromecast, do the following to enable the Guest Mode:

  1. Launch the Google Home app and select your device.Select your device in Google Home app
  2. Tap the Settings icon.Device settings in Google Home app
  3. Find and select Recognition and Sharing within Settings.Recognition and Sharing option in Google Home app
  4. Tap on Guest Mode to view the PIN to access your guest mode.
  5. Enable Guest Mode by tapping On. If the toggle is already blue, Guest Mode was previously activated.
If you can’t find Guest Mode, it’s likely your Chromecast model, possibly a Chromecast with Google TV, doesn’t support it. So, consider trying the alternatives mentioned in this post.

How To Access Chromecast’s Guest Mode As A Guest

Here’s how to connect to the host’s Chromecast without using WiFi as a Guest.

On Android device (skip to the next step 6, if you want to connect iPhone to Chromecast without WiFi):

  1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.Settings icon on Android phone
  2. Scroll down, and tap Google.Google app in the Settings on Android phone
  3. Now select Devices and Sharing.Devices and Sharing options on Android phone
  4. Tap Cast options.Cast options in Devices and Sharing menu
  5. Lastly, toggle on the switch next to Guest mode to enable it.Google cast options on Android phone
  6. Now, open a Cast-supported app like Netflix or YouTube, etc. Play the content of your choice and tap the cast icon.Cast option on Netflix
  7. Enter the four-digit PIN from the host’s Google Home app. And that’s it. Now you can mirror iPhone to Chromecast without WiFi.

Method #2 Use Chromecast Without WiFi With Ethernet Cable

If you do not have access to WiFi, you can also directly connect your router to the Chromecast using a Chromecast ethernet adapter and an Ethernet cable with an RJ45 connector.

You can buy an Ethernet adapter for Chromecast from Google’s official store as well. However, these adapters are exclusively for Chromecast with Google TV and Chromecast Ultra.

Here’s how to setup Chromecast using an Ethernet cable:

  1. Start by inserting your Chromecast into the HDMI port of your television.
    Chromecast connection guide

    Source: support.google.com

  2. Then, connect the Ethernet adapter to the mini USB port located on your Chromecast.
  3. Next, plug an Ethernet cable into the Ethernet adapter you’ve just connected to your Chromecast.
  4. Once all the connections are established, plug the Ethernet adapter into the power outlet you normally use for your Chromecast.
  5. Lastly, use your mobile device (iOS or Android) to stream content from an app that supports Google Cast.

Method #3 Use A Smartphone Hotspot To Use Chromecast Without WiFi

In cases where you want to use your Chromecast device without a WiFi connection, but can’t use an Ethernet cable or have the option to use Guest mode, you can still make your Chromecast work without Internet by using your mobile phone’s hotspot.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to Chromecast without WiFi using a mobile hotspot on both iPhone and Android devices.

For iPhone:
  1. Open the iPhone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap on the Personal Hotspot.Personal Hotspot on your iPhone
  3. Toggle the Allow Others to Join switch ON (it should turn green).Allow Others to Join option
  4. Below this switch, you’ll see the Wi-Fi Password for your hotspot. You can tap on it to change it to something more memorable if you’d like.Wi-Fi Password option in Personal Hotspot menu
  5. Now, your iPhone’s hotspot is active. Other devices can connect to it by selecting your iPhone’s name in their Wi-Fi settings and entering your hotspot password.
For Android:
The steps can vary slightly depending on the model and the version of Android you’re using.
  1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.Settings app on your Android phone
  2. Tap on Connections.Connection settings on Android phone
  3. Now, select Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.Mobile Hotspot and Tethering option on Android phone
  4. Toggle ON the switch next to Mobile Hotspot.Switch ON next to the Mobile Hotspot option on Android phone
  5. You can also tap Mobile Hotspot, which will take you to your phone’s hotspot settings. Here, you can set your Network Name (SSID) and Password. Just tap on Configure and then on whichever option you’d like to edit.Mobile Hotspot settings on Android phone

Now, your Android phone’s hotspot is active. You can connect your Chromecast to it by navigating to the WiFi settings menu selecting your smartphone’s network name and entering your hotspot password.

However, please note that when you use your smartphone’s hotspot to provide Internet to your Chromecast, you won’t be able to cast from your phone to the TV simultaneously since your phone is already serving as the Internet source. So, you’ll need an alternative device for casting the purposes, or you can opt to use the Chromecast remote control.

Another factor to consider is the quality of your streaming experience, which largely depends on the type of data plan you have for your mobile hotspot. For instance, T-Mobile typically allows only 3G hotspot speeds unless you opt for a higher data plan. So, your video and music streaming quality might vary based on your mobile data plan.

Using your phone as a hotspot consumes mobile data and can drain your battery more quickly. So, always keep an eye on your data usage and battery life when using this feature.

Method #4 Use Chromecast With A Travel Router Or Connectify

Travel routers are a great solution for using Chromecast without a WiFi network. They are portable, lightweight, and ideal for scenarios where you lack access to a reliable WiFi connection, such as when you’re on the move or in a location with restricted Internet access.

A travel router works by creating its own WiFi network that your devices can connect to, including your Chromecast. It takes an existing Internet connection from an Ethernet cable or a WiFi network and broadcasts it as a new WiFi network. In fact, some travel routers also use SIM cards. This makes a travel router particularly useful in hotels or locations where WiFi is available but may not be Chromecast-friendly due to login portals or network restrictions.

Use Connectify Hotspot app to share your Internet

Conclusion

Now you know that you can still use Chromecast without Wi-Fi by using the Guest Mode to access it. However, you can realize the true potential of Chromecast only when it’s connected to Wi-Fi. So, you can connect your Chromecast to the Internet by establishing an Ethernet or mobile hotspot connection. Alternatively, use a travel router or Connectify.

This will allow you access to apps like DoCast and Replica. These apps not only let you make the best of your Chromecast’s casting/mirroring capabilities but also let you customize your streaming experience – which is only possible when connected to the Internet over a Wi-Fi network.

DoCast QR code

FAQ

Yes, you can use Chromecast with mobile data by setting up your smartphone as a hotspot. Then, connect your Chromecast to this network, and you’ll now be able to use it with your mobile data. But be aware that this can consume a lot of mobile data and battery.
To connect your iPhone to Chromecast, first ensure that your Chromecast and iPhone are on the same Wi-Fi network. Then, open the app you want to cast from on your iPhone, look for the Cast button, and tap on it. Now, select the Chromecast device you want to cast your iPhone to, and it’s done.
To cast to your TV without the Internet, you can simply use the Guest Mode on your Chromecast to connect your device to it (but of course, the Guest Mode should be enabled by the host already). Alternatively, you can use the screen casting option on your Google Home app. Or else, you can connect your Chromecast to the Internet via an Ethernet cable, using a smartphone hotspot, or a travel router.
iPhones don’t natively support Google Chromecast, but luckily, there are apps like DoCast that allow you to cast and mirror your iPhone to Chromecast TVs. There are also certain apps on iPhone, like YouTube or Netflix, do allow casting to Chromecast devices directly from within the app.
No, Chromecast requires a Wi-Fi connection to stream content so, you can’t cast without WiFi. Chromecast can’t communicate with your device or access online content without Wi-Fi. In the absence of Wi-Fi, use your mobile phone’s hotspot or apps like Connectify to establish a Wi-Fi network.
Ojash is a tech journalist with more than a decade of experience in the industry. He loves sharing his knowledge and expertise to help others make the most out of their MacBooks. Apart from writing for onMac, Ojash also contributes to other popular sites like MacBook Journal, MakeUseOf, and MakeTechEasier.
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