Chromecast App For Mac Air
Open your Chrome web browser and go to download the Chromecast DMG by clicking the blue Download button and install the Chromecast app for Mac. Make sure to agree to the license terms (after reading them) and click the ACCEPT button. Dec 09, 2018 When the app is in use, the parrot’s face changes color from black to green. Now you can extend your Mac desktop or use AirPlay with your Google Chromecast to expand your use of the Google Chromecast device even further than before. And you can do it all for a whole lot less than purchasing a brand new Apple TV. If you own a Chromecast device and want to show your computer’s display on the big screen, AirBeamTV has the solution! Mirror your Mac to any Smart TV connected to Chromecast. No wires and no additional hardware needed. The app works without the need for an Apple TV or Airplay. Jan 31, 2014 I’ve heard the same rumors you have, that Chromecast is for Windows PCs and Android devices and if you’re an Apple fan or user, you’re going to be out of luck. That turns out to be completely inaccurate and the Chromecast device turns out to be quite compatible with both Mac OS X systems (with some caveats) and iOS devices like the iPad, iPad Mini and iPhone.
As of 2018, more than 30 million households in the U.S. had “cut the cord” on their pay TV subscriptions, and around three million ditched cable in that year alone. In other words, smart TVs and other streaming devices are only going to get more popular.
Dec 29, 2018 Step 1: By using HDMI cable, connect your Chromecast to the TV. Step 2: Open Safari browser on your Mac Computer, MacBook, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Step 3: From the Safari browser, download & install Google Chrome browser to your Mac. Step 4: After installing the Chrome browser, just do. Aug 06, 2015 In your Mac laptop or computer, open and download chromecast app with google chrome browser. After you click download button, follow chromecast app installation one by one.
Google’s Chromecast, thanks to its flexibility — allowing you to watch the likes of YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu, as well as “cast” photos, slideshows, video calls, and much more — is among the most popular devices for people looking at how to connect Mac to TV.
While Chromecast lacks one-click interface on the same intuitive level as Apple TV, it really isn’t difficult to set up your Mac for casting. In addition to covering that, this article presents some of the different ways to get the best performance possible when using Chromecast for Mac.
Get your Chromecast setup on Setapp
Download an app library to use Chromecast to the fullest. Optimize playback, prevent audio issues, and solve every Chromecast problem — effortlessly.
How To Use Chromecast On Mac
Your initial Chromecast setup on Mac shouldn’t take more than about 10 minutes as long as everything goes smoothly. Once that’s all done you can start having some fun with the device.
Assuming that you already have your Chromecast plugged into an HDMI port on the back of your TV and powered up using a USB port or the power cube included in the box, proceed to the following steps you need to take:
- Open Chrome on your Mac and visit www.google.com/chromecast/setup
- You’ll be prompted to download Google Home for iPhone/iPad from the App Store or Android from the Google Play Store
- As long as your Chromecast is plugged in, it will automatically appear in the Google Home app when you open it up
- Make sure your device is connected to the WiFi network you want Chromecast to use and follow the steps to pair it
Your Chromecast device can now be used by any Mac, Android phone, or iPhone/iPad connected to that WiFi network. This is a far cry from setting up using a computer, something that’s now no longer possible, which used to involve downloading a Chromecast extension for Mac and entering codes to pair the device properly.
Using Chromecast on Mac effectively
Now that your Chromecast is connected, it’s easy to mirror your Mac’s screen on your TV. In the past you needed to download a Chromecast extension for Chrome before you could do this but now, as long as you’re using an up-to-date version of Chrome, you don’t need to add anything else in order to use Chromecast on MacBook.
In Chrome, just select View ➙ Cast (or use the three vertical dots to the right of the toolbar to select Cast from there) and choose from the Sources dropdown whether you want to broadcast:
The tab you have open
Your desktop
A particular file
If you’re viewing a media file on your laptop, say via YouTube, then you may see a box with three lines (that look like the WiFi symbol rotated 45 degrees clockwise) that will say Play on TV when you hover over it. You can also access the Cast menu from here. Now you officially know how to Chromecast from Mac!
The media or video call or photo album you’re trying to view will appear on your TV like magic and, if you’re lucky, everything will run swiftly and without issue. Unfortunately, many of us aren’t quite so blessed and do experience a few problems.
Optimizing Chromecast playback on Mac
For most Mac users, a trickier issue than how to use Chromecast on Mac is making sure that their laptop or desktop is functioning in such a way that allows for smooth and seamless playback.
Two common issues when streaming from Chromecast to Mac include poor audio and video that jumps and stutters or plays in low quality. Most problems like these boil down to one (or more) of three causes:
Lack of RAM or processing power on your Mac
Weak or underperforming internet connection
Hardware limitations or configurations
Using Chromecast from Mac places additional demands on your machine that can be challenging for laptops or desktops that are older and full of clutter. Try using an app like CleanMyMac X, which scans your Mac with a single click to search for issues with your hard disk, malware, and unnecessary apps.
Still looking at video that’s blocky or jumping? It could be a problem with your WiFi. For this, WiFi Explorer is a useful app that acts as a one-stop shop for monitoring, analyzing, and troubleshooting your WiFi network. Just open up the app and it’ll automatically provide feedback on the network your Mac is currently connected to.
Just a glance at the real-time scan of networks in the area should quickly and easily reveal if something like signal strength or overcrowded WiFi channels might be to blame for the issues. If that’s the case, you may want to try a wired connection or moving your router from its current location.
Make your WiFi connection ideal
Get WiFi Explorer, a Mac app that will automatically solve every network-related issue for you. From monitoring to troubleshooting, it’s all covered.
Solving Chromecast audio issues on Mac
You can have the crispest video quality in the world but, if the audio isn’t up to scratch, you won’t get the immersive experience that you’re looking for. Unless you have a soundbar, most flat screen TVs put out quiet and tinny audio. In some cases, you may be better off using headphones or even your Mac’s built-in speakers.
Unfortunately, by default, the sound put out by Macs can also be a bit lacking due to volume limitations or incorrect equalizer setup. Luckily, there’s an app out there called Boom 3D that allows you to unlock the true potential of your Mac’s audio output.
In addition to enabling virtual 3D surround sound on built-in speakers or headphones, which is a pretty cool piece of patent-pending tech in and of itself, it comes with a palette of equalizer presets (that can be manually tweaked) for different genres.
You can also boost the volume capability of your Mac way beyond the system default and, if you’re worried about accidentally blaring Spotify in the middle of a meeting, set custom volume adjustments for individual apps.
Volume discrepancy between different hardware providers is pretty common, as anyone who has almost deafened themselves when switching inputs on their TV will be able to attest to, and it’s great to know you’ll no longer need to turn the volume on your TV set way up or down when you’re casting from your Mac.
Streaming devices like Apple TV and Google Chromecast on Mac have enabled an entire generation to move away from cable TV in favor of individual streaming apps that they can pick and choose from. And because there’s no need to download an additional Chromecast app for Mac or anything like that, the process of getting started is usually very straightforward.
As innovative and modern as that idea is, the whole thing can be derailed by audio or video problems. These, however, can be easily resolved with a couple of additional apps.
It’s difficult to know exactly what the future of media streaming holds, but two things are for sure:
Available picture and sound quality will continue to improve
More streaming services (e.g. Disney Plus) will appear
What do both of these have in common? They’ll likely place additional demands on your internet connection and your hardware. With that in mind, it makes sense to improve the performance of both as much as you possibly can.
Fortunately, CleanMyMac X, Boom 3D, and WiFi Explorer mentioned above are available for a free trial on Setapp, a platform of more than 150 Mac apps and utilities designed to optimize every aspect of your digital life. So what are you watching tonight?
If you've got — or are planning to get — a Google Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra then you may be wondering which iPhone and iPad apps will work with it. The answer is, a whole bunch. But these are our current favorites!
Google Home
If you're brand new to the Chromecast experience, the Google Home app is probably the first app you should download.
On top of helping you get your Chromecast through the initial setup for your device, it's also the main hub for discovering other apps that support Chromecast, as well as recommending content from apps already on your iPhone. Oh, and if you happen to be interested in getting a Google Home for your domicile, you'll be able to set it up and control it as the name suggests.
Google Home is the best starting point for your Chromecast, but you'll probably outgrow it once you find other apps you love.
- Free - Download from iTunes
YouTube
An essential Chromecast app if there ever was one, YouTube provides one of the smoothest experiences for casting content to your TV.
You can set up a playlist for hours of entertainment or collaborate with friends at a party so everyone gets a say for which videos get played. With the sheer amount of music videos hosted on YouTube, you could use your YouTube app to stream all the music you need for a party or find the perfect chill mix for a night in.
- Free - Download from iTunes
Netflix
Another essential app, Chromecast lets you conveniently control Netflix from your iPhone.
It's a seamless experience, allowing you to start watching a TV show or movie on your iPhone – tap the Cast icon and it instantly starts playing on your Chromecast-connected TV.
Forget using your computer or gaming console for Netflix, once you start controlling things from your iPhone, you'll never turn back.
- Free - Download from iTunes
Twitch
Stream your favorite Twitch broadcasts straight to your TV with the Twitch app for iOS and Chromecast.
Simply cast your Twitch broadcast to your Chromecast and you'll be able to enjoy your favorite gaming streaming with a two-screen experience. Watch the action on your TV, and use your iPhone to engage with other viewers and your favorite streamers in the chat.
- Free - Download from iTunes
YouTube Gaming
If you or your kids are obsessed with YouTube gaming celebrities such as PewDiePie, JonTron, Markiplier, and gaming networks such as IGN and RoosterTeeth, then you'll want to check out the YouTube Gaming app.
It's a dedicated app for the abundant gaming content on YouTube, so it gets rid of all the other YouTube noise and gives you what you want. It will also pull any relevant subscriptions from your YouTube account, as well as recommend videos to you based on the games you love, which you can add to your collection in the app.
Streaming to the Chromecast is just as easy as using the YouTube app, so you can cast your favorite Let's Play videos to the TV and play along on your computer.
- Free - Download from iTunes
TED
Need something to play in the background? Why not get smarter by listening to a TED Talk via the TED app for iOS?
You'll get access to over 1000 TED Talk videos, covering a range of topics, which you can easily browse through. And casting to your Chromecast is as easy as tapping the Chromecast button and selecting the video you want to watch. Get smarter (or at least feel smarter) with the TED app for iOS and your Chromecast.
- Free - Download from iTunes
Pocket Casts
Pocket Casts is one of the best podcasting apps available for the iPhone and iPad. If you're serious about your podcasts and want to have them playing through your TV while you're doing chores around the house, simply figure out which episodes you want to listen to and cast them to your Chromecast.
Pocket Casts is the only iOS podcasting app that we found to support Chromecast. Since Pocket Casts also supports video podcasts, pairing it with Chromecast lets you cast your video podcasts to your TV for ultimate convenience.
- $3.99 - Download from iTunes
Tricky Titans
Tricky Titans is a game for up to five players that's played on your TV with each player controlling their Titan on their phone (iPhone or Android).
Each round, each player inputs one of three actions — Attack, Defend, or Power up. But pick carefully, because you also have to be wary of whatever actions your opponents are deciding on. Once everyone's action is locked in, everyone watches the TV as the chaos ensues. If you're attacked, your Titan's hill drops. The winner is the last Titan standing or the highest standing Titan at the end of the game.
Free, fun, and featuring cool artwork, Tricky Titans is worth checking out.
- Free - Download from iTunes
Spotify Music
Control your music via your iPhone and stream it via your TV with the Spotify Music app for iOS and Chromecast. Spotify already provides one of the best mobile listening experiences for streaming music, and you'll get full access to your music library, playlists, and more on your iPhone while your music plays through your TV and/or home theatre sound system.
- Free - Download from iTunes
Big Web Quiz
Chromecast isn't just for video and music — it's great for gaming and fun too! Big Web Quiz is a fast and fun quiz game featuring cross-platform compatibility, meaning whether your friends have an iPhone or some Android device, everyone is able to download the app and connect to the Chromecast.
The sims 2 super collection for mac free download. The Sims 2: Super Collection is an updated version of the classic life simulation game. In this title, you take control of a simulated human - or 'Sim' - and lead them through a sped-up life, working to fulfill their goals, whether in terms of love, career or family.
Connect up to six devices per game. Everyone watches the screen for the question, then uses their phone to answer. It's a fun, colorful app filled with interesting and quirky trivia.
- Free - Download from iTunes
Plex
Plex allows you to set up a wireless media server in your house for all of your TV shows, movies, music, and photos. The Plex app for iOS lets you control and cast all your media goodness straight to your Chromecast-connected TV.
But you'll need to have a Plex server set up before using the iOS app. Once you do, you'll be able to control all your media remotely from your iPhone and cast it to your Chromecast via the app.
- Free - Download from iTunes
Just Dance Now
Just Dance is the most popular dance video game to come around since Dance Dance Revolution, and it's available for free for iOS via Chromecast.
It's got more or less the same functionality you'd find on the console, except instead of using a console controllers to track your movement, the game has you hold your iPhone in your right hand. How accurate could the tracking be if it's only tracking one hand, you ask? Well, you better dance your heart out — we gave it a spin and it seemed to work just fine.
Play against friends in your living room, or online against players from around the world. You get a couple songs for free, and while you can dance to collect some coins to buy new songs, it'll take you a long time. Frankly, you'd be better off spending the $5.99 to get a 30-day VIP pass from the in-game store.
- Free with in-app purchase - Download from iTunes
HBO Now
If you love HBO Now, you'll love it even more when it's streaming to your TV via Chromecast.
That's right, enjoy your Game of Thrones, Last Week Tonight and Silicon Valley at your leisure by streaming it to your phone and then casting it to your TV. Geez, it's like who really needs cable anymore, am I right?
- Free - Download from iTunes
AllCast
If you've just returned from vacation or got pictures and videos on your phone you want to show off, don't have everyone try and crowd around your small phone screen. Use AllCast.
AllCast lets you cast all the media on your phone to your TV via Chromecast. You'll also be able to stream content from your social media accounts such as Instagram and Google+, as well as cloud services such as Dropbox and Google Drive.
- Free - Download from iTunes
Cast-A-Draw
This is a modern take on Pictionary that lets you and your friends use a phone as the drawing pad, with the drawings popping up on the TV for all to see. Everyone gets a fun photo so you know who to pass the phone to when it's their turn.
It's a simple game, as anyone who has played pictionary knows, with options to set the number of words per round, as well as the time length of each round. It works great and is good fun for parties.
- Free - Download on iTunes
Videostream
Videostream is one of the best Chromecast apps for streaming content from your computer to your Chromecast-connected TV. The app for iPhone and iPad allows you to remotely control all your media from your phone.
Like Plex, this requires you to set things up between your computer and Chromecast as well, but unlike Plex, you don't need to set up any complicated media servers to get down to watching your favorite movies or TV shows. All you need is a computer — Mac or PC — with Chrome, install the Chromecast extension, then open a video file from your computer in the Videostream tab. Your video will play on your Chromecast-connected TV, and you'll be able to control playback via your phone. If you try out Videostream and love it, you can upgrade to Videostream Premium and enjoy the ability to create video playlists, then control everything from your phone as well.
- Free - Download on iTunes
Chromecast App For Mac Os
Any other favorites that we missed?
There are over 100 different iPhone and iPad apps that support Chromecast, and we had to make some tough choices for some that didn't make our list. Make your case for the ones we overlooked in the comments below!
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