Unlock Chromecast’s Full Potential: Streaming Local Videos on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS

How to Stream Local Video to Chromecast on Windows/Mac/Android/iOS

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Get below a detailed Chromecast app list. It tells you how to stream local files to TV through Chromecast from PC, Mac, Android, or iPhone, iPad and more. Now the Google cast supported video formats are limited to MP4 and WebM. If you have the format incompatibility issue, just use Video Converter to convert your video to be supported by Chrome.

To stream local files to TV from PC or Mac, there are totally 4 ways to choose from. Just get the 4 solutions below.

• Solution 1: Cast Chrome browser to TV
• Solution 2: Cast with Wondershare Video Converter
• Solution 3: Cast with Plex for Chromecast
• Solution 4: Cast with Videostream for Google Chromecast

Solution 1: Cast Chrome browser to TV

Step 1. Install Chrome browser and Chromecast extension

Make sure that you have the latest version of Chrome. You can check by clicking Settings > About Google Chrome to update your chrome.

Step 2: Connect Chromecast with TV

Plug in Chromecast in the HDMI input on your TV, and then plug the USB cord on the other end of the Chromecast to power it.

Step 3.Connect WiFi

Make sure that your computer and TV are connected in the same network. You should be connected to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi network.
If your Chromecast can’t be connected to the Wi-Fi network, please check the Chromecast router compatibility here .

Step 4.Install Google cast extension

Please download Google cast extension here . After installation, there will be a Cast tab on the Chrome browser. You can click the option button to set video quality as Extreme (720p high bitrate) or High (720p) for your HD TV.

Step 5. Play local Video or music

Drag your local files to chrome browser, or press Ctr + O to browse and import your files. And then your video will be played in Chrome’s built-in video viewer. Then click the Cast current tab on your browser to stream media files to Chromecast and then play it on TV.

Also you can choose Cast entire screen to share your desktop screen instead of a Chrome tab to TV.

Note:

1. If your videos can’t be streamed, that’s because Chromecast doesn’t support these formats. You can check all the supported media here . If you really want to cast any format, check the second solution.

2. Stream video in background: When you stream video to your TV, you can use the 2 Windows short cuts to stream local video to Chromecast in background.
Alt+Tab: It lets you do other things by switching to other opened programs/apps
Ctrl+Esc: You can start a new program by pressing the 2 buttons to pop up the Star menu.

Solution 2: Cast with Wondershare Video Converter

Step 1. Install Wondershare UniConverter

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Download and install Wondershare UniConverter Video Converter from its official website page.

Step 2. Import any video to the software

Make sure your Chromecast and PC are located in the same network. Then click the “Add Files” button or directly drag-n-drop to import your video to the program. After that, click the “Stream” pane on the right side and choose your Chromecast as the streaming device. When everything is ready, hit the “Stream” button at the bottom.

Step 3. Start streaming

In the pop up window, click the “Play To TV” button to stream your video to Chromecast. Then after a few seconds, you can enjoy your video right on the big screen. You can also control the playback process by clicking the perspective buttons in the streaming window. That’s done!

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Solution 3: Cast with Plex for Chromecast

Plex is a Chromecast app for PC, Mac and Linux. It is designed to stream local homemade videos and movies to your TV through Chromecast. To use this app, you need to subscribe the PlexPass and pay $4.99 for Plex app. After everything is prepared, just hit play and tap on the Chromecast button, and then your local videos can be successfully streamed to your TV. It supports MP4 and WebM.

More Information about How to use Plex for Chromecast .

Solution 4: Cast with Videostream for Google Chromecast

Videostream for Google Chromecast is a free Chrome extension. To install it, the version of Chrome 32.0 is required. You can use it to free play local videos on Chromecast from your PC - Subtitles supported! Its supported format is MP4 and WebM.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

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