How can you use Chromecast without WiFi?

Does Chromecast need WiFi – read here the ways to use it without WiFi

Google’s Chromecast is a device that can cast anything from any WiFi-enabled device straight to your TV screen. As this streaming stick is a great travel companion you may often hear a common query  – does Chromecast need WiFi? 

There are a few different ways to use Chromecast without WiFi. In this post, I will show how to use Chromecast without WiFi to cast to a TV screen. Before I show, how can you cast without WiFi using Chromecast, let’s first see what is Google Chromecast.

What is Google Chromecast?

Google’s Chromecast is a device powered by a USB cable, which adds smart functions to your TV when connected to the TV’s HDMI port. You can cast anything from your iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, or almost any other WiFi-enabled device straight to your TV screen with the help of this Google Cast app.

Does Chromecast need WiFi?

There is a common query – does Chromecast need WiFi for casting to TV similar to Amazon Fire Stick and Roku?

Chromecast typically does need an Internet connection for casting anything to a TV screen from your mobile or smartphone similar to the Amazon Fire Stick and Roku which also allow the beaming of content to a TV. But it has one key difference. You can stream content to your TV screen with Chromecast without even having to connect to a standard WiFi network. If you don’t want to use your Hotel or public WiFi network while traveling, you can use Chromecast without WiFi or Internet using its new feature, called ‘Guest Mode‘. Now, how can you cast without WiFi using ‘Guest Mode’?

Before I explain how to Chromecast from phone to TV without WiFi using ‘Guest mode’, let me first explain what Chromecast Guest Mode is.

What is Chromecast Guest Mode?

In the latest Chromecast software version, there is a new ‘Guest mode’ feature that allows you to cast to Chromecast without WiFi.  You can use Chromecast without WiFi by using Guest Mode.

Guest mode enables guest users in the same room to Cast Photos and Videos from their mobile devices to the screen of the host’s Television, without actually being connected to the host’s WiFi network. Chromecast Guest Mode allows a sender device (a mobile phone or tablet) to cast to it when that sender device is nearby, without requiring it to be connected to the same WiFi network as the receiver device i.e. the Chromecast. In places like hotels or stations where you don’t want to use the public WiFi network, you can still Screen Cast without WiFi using this feature.

To use this feature you only need to set up Chromecast without WiFi. Now, how to set up Chromecast without WiFi for using the ‘Guest mode’?

How to set up Chromecast without WiFi for using the ‘Guest mode

Here are the steps to follow to set up Chromecast without WiFi:

1. Make sure that your Chromecast is updated to the latest version of its firmware

2. As a ‘Host’, set up the ‘Guest mode’ on the Chromecast device by following the steps below:

i. Make sure your mobile device or tablet is linked to the same account as your Chromecast;

ii.  Open the Google Home app;

iii. In the upper right corner of the home screen tap Account> Devices > scroll down to see your available Chromecast device;

iv. In the top right corner of the Chromecast device on which you’d like to set the Guest mode, tap Settings > Recognition & sharing > Guest mode;

v. Turn on Guest mode;

How can you use Chromecast without WiFi using the Guest mode?

Follow the steps below on how can you cast without WiFi using the Guest mode:

1. Download and install any Chromecast-enabled app, on your mobile device or tablet. (Ensure running the latest version of the Chromecast-enabled app. You can check for any app updates by visiting the Google Play Store or Apple App Store);

2. When the ‘Guest mode’ is turned on, Chromecast emits a special WiFi signal. After you launch the Chromecast-enabled app on your mobile device, the device detects the presence of the above special WiFi signal on the top of the video section and shows the ‘Cast’ icon within the application;

3. Upon tapping the ‘Cast’ button, casting to a ‘Nearby Device’ will be listed as an available option. Once the casting device is found, select it and follow the prompts to connect;

4. The Chromecast will generate a random four-digit number using the ‘Guest mode’ to establish a connection. This four-digit number is to be entered in the given field.

When the selected nearby casting device tries to connect, the Chromecast automatically transfers this four-digit number using short, inaudible audio tones. Should audio tone pairing fail for a minute, you as a guest user will be given the option to connect manually by entering the 4-digit number that is displayed on the TV screen;

5. Your device should now be connected. This is how to cast without wifi or internet any media, locally stored in your device, to the screen that’s connected to the Chromecast;

Note: As a guest user, you can cast content to the TV screen without being connected to the host’s WiFi network. However, you must be connected to the internet via a different WiFi network or your mobile data connection.

How to use Chromecast without WiFi using an Ethernet cable?

Chromecast users sometimes make the query ‘Does Chromecast need WiFi’ if for some reason connection to the WiFi network is lost. Yes, you can use Chromecast without WiFi in such a situation.

If you have connected the Chromecast stick to your TV and for some reason, WiFi is not working then you can use Chromecast without Internet access by using an Ethernet cable. Now, how can you cast without WiFi using an Ethernet cable?

When WiFi is not available you can connect the Chromecast directly to an Ethernet port of your router via an Ethernet adapter for Chromecast. This wired connection will create a faster and more reliable link for the Chromecast device.

For Setting up Chromecast without WiFi via an Ethernet cable the only thing you have to do is – just connect the included USB cable from the Ethernet adapter to the Chromecast, and then run an Ethernet cable from the Ethernet adapter to your router. The adapter itself will need to be plugged into a power socket as well. Once all these are done, the Chromecast device will automatically be set up to use an Ethernet connection instead of a WiFi network.

How can you use Chromecast without WiFi connection using a Travel Router?

People who travel a lot can make use of Chromecast via ‘Travel Router’ which is easier to carry all around. However, you may ask- do I need WiFi for Chromecast use via Travel Router?

You can stream the stored contents on your Android or iOS devices, without a WiFi connection with the help of a Travel Router. Travel Routers are used for creating a local WiFi network that can be used as a medium to connect the Chromecast to your casting device.

Here’s how to use Chromecast without WiFi or the internet using a Travel Router:

1. Setup your Travel Router by assigning it a network name (SSID) and a password;

2. Open the Google Home app on your casting device to connect the Chromecast with the Travel Router. The Google Home app is available for both Android and iOS devices;

3. When you plug in the travel router on a new location it will establish a new WiFi connection and you can connect your casting device to the Chromecast over this network without requiring any internet connection;

4. Now connect your travel router with the casting device. If you are in a hotel, select the router from the Television settings menu and enter the assigned password;

5. If the router does not appear automatically, enter the SSID and password manually through the network settings of your device;

6. Once your device is connected, the television should appear as a target for casting. Now select it as your streaming destination in the Chromecast App.

7. You should now be able to stream all your locally stored contents on your device to the television without an internet connection.

Can you screen mirror without WiFi?

Screen mirroring or screen casting is a function that allows the mirroring of contents of mobile devices to your TV screen. You can use a Chromecast to beam any display of your mobile screen to the TV screen through this mirroring function. But a common query is, can you screen mirror without WiFi?

No, you don’t need WiFi for the mirroring function. It is possible to screen mirror the display of your mobile screen to a Chromecast stick or player without using WiFi or the Internet. However, this ‘Chromecast mirror without WiFi’ feature, is available for Android devices only.

Unfortunately, there’s no way for iOS users to mirror on Chromecast without a WiFi connection. Not only does your iPhone need to be connected to the internet, but it needs to be connected to the same internet as your Chromecast to mirror.

However, you can use an HDMI cable for mirroring your iPhone to your TV if WiFi is unstable or not accessible. Simply plug the HDMI cable into your TV and adaptor on both ends. Plug the cable into your iOS device and set your TV with the right input. If you want your iOS device to last longer, plug in a charger to the additional Lightning port of the adaptor.

How to screen mirror Android devices without WiFi using Chromecast? 

Here are the steps to follow to use Chromecast without WiFi or the internet for screen mirroring of Android devices:

1. Open the Chromecast app on your Android device;

2. Tap on the burger menu in the top left corner (this looks like three lines together);

3. Tap on Cast Screen/Audio;

4. Click to select the Chromecast device in the cast option;

5. Now you will have a mirror of the display of your Android device to the Chromecast without WiFi or internet;

6. For this screen mirroring function your device must run Android version 4.4.2 and above. The working of this Chromecast feature of screen mirroring without the Internet is different from that of the wireless display as the resultant output is better than the wireless display;

Frequently asked questions

Now that I have answered the common query- does Chromecast need WiFi for casting to TV let me also address some of the related questions often asked by Google Chromecast users:

Can You Use Chromecast With Mobile Data?

Yes, you can. If guest mode is enabled and you are the guest you can use Chromecast with Mobile Data. For this, you must be connected to the internet through a WiFi network using mobile data or a mobile phone’s hotspot.

Does Chromecast use data?

When you use Chromecast to watch videos from streaming services like YouTube or Netflix it consumes data. Your Chromecast also consumes data when it streams content using your WiFi network.

Can I mirror my iPhone without WiFi?

No, you will need to have WiFi turned on. You don’t need a connection to the Internet, but your iPhone will need to be connected to the same WiFi network as the device you are going to mirror.

How to mirror iPhone to Chromecast with a WiFi connection?

To mirror your iPhone screen to a Chromecast device you need to use a third-party app. A good app for this purpose is Replica App, which is a free-to-use app, available on the App Store.

Here are the steps to follow on how to mirror iPhone to Chromecast:

1. Download the Replica app from the App Store and launch it from your iPhone;

2. Setup your Chromecast with the Google Home App;

3. Make sure both the Chromecast device and your iPhone are connected to the same WiFi Network;

4. Connect to the Chromecast device from the displayed list of devices;

5. Tap on the ‘Start’ option to start ‘Screen Mirroring’;

How to mirror the iPhone to Apple TV?

1.    Ensure that both the Apple TV and your iPhone are on the same WiFi network;

2.    On your iPhone, swipe up to open the ‘Control Center’;

3.    Tap the ‘Screen Mirroring’ button;

4.    Select ‘Apple TV’ from the list;

How to cast iPhone to Chromecast without WiFi?

You can cast your iPhone to Chromecast without connecting to WiFi by enabling the ‘Guest mode’ on Chromecast or by switching to use the personal hotspot from your iPhone.

You may also like to read: ShowBox iOS download for iPhone – an easy step-by-step guide

Conclusion

It is hoped that after going through the post there should not be any more confusion in getting the answer to the query – does Chromecast need WiFi or Internet or do you need WiFi for Chromecast to cast to the TV screen?

You can easily stream locally stored content from your iOS, Android, or Laptop devices to the TV screen without accessing the internet by following the steps mentioned in the post under ‘How can you use Chromecast without WiFi using the Guest mode’.

If you’re looking for an affordable and simple way to stream content to your TV, Chromecast is a great option. It gets useful when there is no internet access or has limited data packages so that rather than directly streaming the content online, it can be done using a phone or tablet provided one knows how to setup Chromecast without WiFi as mentioned above.

Moreover, while traveling you can also use Chromecast without Internet with the help of ‘Travel Router’ or you can use a third-party app like ‘Connectify’ software to stream locally stored content to the television screen.