The Google Home smart speaker is very versatile and useful. It can be used to communicate, listen to music, retrieve news, translate languages, etc. Perhaps the best thing you can do with a Google Home is to connect it with Chromecast. It is not possible to physically connect the TV and Google Home, but there are several ways to control the TV using the Google Home.
How to add devices to Google Home
Google Home works on many TV brands including Sony, LG, Samsung, Vizio, and Panasonic. You must correctly set up Google Home using the same network and Google account as the Chromecast.
PREPARATIONS
For this process to work, you will need several things. Use the same Google account for both Google Home and Chromecast. You will need an Android / iOS tablet or smartphone that will act as the interface between Google Home and Chromecast.
You also need an internet router with a solid internet connection. The important thing is to connect all your devices to the same network and have the same Google account linked to all of them.
You will need to download the official Google Home app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure the app is updated to the latest version and that your device's operating system is also up to date.
You will use the Google Home app to detect the Google Home device using Devices. Then tap Continue and select Configure. Once you've set up Google Home, you'll need to choose your language, Wi-Fi network, and location.
Finally, you will need to sync your Google Home device with your Google account by logging in. This will enable Google Assistant on your Google Home.
How to Play Apple Music on Google Home
CONNECT GOOGLE HOME WITH CHROMECAST
Google Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra are media streaming devices and can connect to any TV via an HDMI input. When using Chromecast, you are usually streaming content to your Android or Apple tablet or smartphone.
Five ways to mirror your phone or computer to Chromecast
Chromecast casts your content on the TV screen. When you pair your Google Home device with the other connected devices, you get Google Assistant in the mix. This smart assistant listens to your voice commands and tells Chromecast what to do.
HOW TO CONNECT GOOGLE HOME TO CHROMECAST
You need to follow these steps to properly set up a link between Google Home and Chromecast:
- Turn on the TV and check if the Chromecast screen is present.
- Launch the Google Home app on your tablet or smartphone (the steps for iOS and Android devices may differ slightly, but they are almost the same and you will not confuse them).
- Tap the Devices icon (top right corner of the screen).
- Then select Add new device.
- Follow the instructions for setting up Wi-Fi.
- Once the installation is complete, select Continue on the Google Home app.
- There will be a code on both the tablet and the phone and TV. In case the code is the same on both devices, tap Next. Then you will be asked to name the Chromecast and choose the region.
- After installing the Chromecast, you need to connect it to Google Home. Select More settings followed by TV and speakers. There will be a list of all connected devices. Click the plus icon in the lower right corner of the screen.
- The Chromecast should appear in the list if it has been set up correctly. Click the box next to its name and confirm with Add. The two services should merge after that.
How to set up Google Home (Mini) and other useful tips
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING THESE DEVICES CONNECTED
You can do a lot of things with Google Assistant via Google Home. You can control Chromecast with voice commands and stream content from services such as:
- Google Photos
- Crackle - no subscription required
- CBS - you have full access with a subscription
- CW - free to use
- Viki - free to use
- Netflix - you need to subscribe
- YouTube - of course, it's free
- HBO - there is a fee to pay
These are all the streaming services that you can control using voice commands through Google Home. Also, you can control the TV with voice commands like stop, skip, pause, turn subtitles on or off, etc. You can also choose the subtitle language.
However, these features depend on your TV. In particular, TVs equipped with HDMI-CEC can be turned on or off using Google Home voice commands. Plus, you can switch between cable TV and Chromecast via the HDMI input.
HOW TO USE THE VOICE COMMANDS
You can use your tablet or smartphone to control Chromecast via the Google Home app, but it's not as efficient as using your voice. First of all, you need to activate Google Home by saying “OK Google” or “Hey Google”.
In case you have multiple Chromecast devices, you need to name the desired device after the command. Here is a list of commands that are valid after activating Google Home:
- “Play True Detective on . "
- “Play video Indila sul . "
- For a specific video, try: “Play the Rolling Stones Gimme Shelter on YouTube”.
- You can also say "Play", "Resume", "Pause" or "Stop" to manipulate the video playback.
- You can also go back by saying, "Go back three minutes" or "Go forward 20 seconds".
- The volume can be adjusted like this: “Set the volume at 20% ".
- You can also “Deactivate "Entirely and then" Reactivate ".
These are just part of everything you can do when Google Home and Chromecast are connected.
GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND
Chromecast is a great Google service and it only gets better when you pair it with your Google Home device. Once the two are connected, the only limit to what you can do is your imagination. You can fiddle with voice commands and see what works and what doesn't.
How do you find this tutorial? Was it helpful? Funny? Give us your feedback in the comments section.
