Home > Use Google Home Mini and Chromecast

Tired of using your smartphone or tablet to control Chromecast devices? It’s kind of tiring having to launch an app every time you want to restart your series on Netflix using Chromecast. Even more annoying if you have multiple Chromecast devices in your home. What if all you needed was a single voice command from Google Home mini?  This tutorial will show you How to Use Google Home Mini and Chromecast.

Chromecast Ad Google Home Mini - Compatibility

You can connect any version of Google Home Mini with any Chromecast or Chromecast ultra-running Google cast version 1.35 or higher. Google Home connects seamlessly with external or internal Chromecast devices allowing you to control your casts with simple voice controls.

Use Google Home Mini and Chromecast- Connection Guide

Here is what you need to connect Google Home mini to Chromecast

  • A configured Home mini speaker- Make sure you do the initial setup for your Google Home mini before attempting to connect to Chromecast. You should be able to issue typical voice commands to check the weather, read the news etc.

  • A Chromecast connected to the HDMI port on your TV

  • An active Wi-Fi network- Both Google Home Mini and Chromecast will be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

  • Smartphone or tablet with Google Home app installed and set up with Google Home mini.

chromecast

Setup Guide- Connecting Google Home Mini to Chromecast

Step 1- Connect your smartphone or tablet to Wi-Fi- same as the one you are currently using for Google Mini and Chromecast.

Step 2- Launch the Google Home app on the smartphone/tablet. Next, tap on the menu icon on the left side of the app (the three vertically stacked lines).  Select the Google account you used to set the Google Home Mini speaker in the initial setup. 

Step 3- Locate more settings option in the menu (three horizontal dots) and tap on it. Choose TVs and speakers on the screen to add your Chromecast device to Google Home Mini.

Step 4- Tap on the big plus icon on the bottom right corner (+) to add a new device. Google Home will scan for any new devices that can be added and list them.  If your Chromecast device is active, it should be listed in the next screen. Select it and click/tap add the follow the instructions in the next screen to complete the setup process.

Make sure you give your Chromecast a name in the process as it will make it easier for you when issuing voice commands. For example, you could call it “Living room tv” if your Chromecast is connected to the main TV in the living room. It also helps Google Home mini to differentiate your devices when you have more than display connected to it.

Congratulations! You’ve now connected Chromecast to your Google Home mini. 

What Can You Do with Google Home Mini and Chromecast? – Examples

Here are some of the things you can do with a Chromecast connected to Google Home:

  1. Launch and control popular video streaming services with voice commands. In essence, Netflix, HBO Now, Viki, YouTube, Red Bull, Google Play are a command away. Just say something like “Hey Google, play Netflix is a Joke on [insert Chromecast Name]” or “Hey Google, pause Netflix on my [insert Chromecast name]”. 

Note: You may be required to log in some of these services on the Google Home app to access them via Google Home mini.  Go to the menu>settings>videos and photos and look for the particular video streaming service you want to activate. Tap on it, and you will be redirected to a browser window where you can provide your login details.

Netflix

Image Credit: CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3529369

Even unsupported services on Google Home -e.g. Hulu- can be controlled using voice commands. You just need to start the cast from your phone and everything else can be controlled with a simple voice command, e.g. pause, play, change volume, mote, skipping ahead etc.

  1. Turn your Tv On and Off with Chromecast using Google Home voice commands- Modern tv brands support a feature called HDMI-CEC that allows Chromecast to turn them on or off. The feature might be listed under a different name depending on the brand you are using. For instance, Sony calls it Bravia Sync while TCL calls it T-LINK.

Control casts from other Google Home devices- All Google devices in our home that are on the same network can send commands to Chromecast. You can control any cast regardless of where it was initiated. You can use this as a parental control feature to stop any casts that are currently running on your Kids’ tv with a simple voice command. No fighting over the remote or unplugging the TV anymore!

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