cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Replies are disabled for this topic. Start a new one or visit our Help Center.

Use chromecast on a wifi network that does not have Internet?

dmorlow
Community Member

So, in a week we're moving.  The new house there is absolutely no option for internet other than 4G and satellite.  I'm planning on using 4G.  I'm still planning on setting up my wifi router so all of the devices can connect to it.  I can run a media server and all the devices will be able to connect to the media server and play movies and shows.  

I'm trying to figure out how I can chromecast.  I have a 4G hotspot.  But the data has a limit.  My phone not using the hotspot is unlimited.  So, I can't connect our Roku to the hotspot.  I'd run out of data in no time.  What I was thinking is I would use something like Netflix.  My phone would be connected to wifi.  Netflix would be playing using the 4G but then casting it to the chromecast over my home wifi.  

I just did a dry run at it.  (Still in the old house.)  I unplugged my fiber modem.  I found a setting in my pixel that says "Switch to mobile data automatically if wifi has no internet."  But it doesn't appear to be working for me.  I can play stuff on netflix without a problem.  But, as soon as I try to cast it to the tv, it faills.  Any ideas?

1 Recommended Answer

Byteguy
Gold Product Expert
Gold Product Expert

Unless you are mirroring, your phone is only getting updates from the service; not the full stream.

In many cases, you can even turn off your phone and the service will just keep talking to the Chromecast.

If you are mirroring, the stream comes into your phone, and then goes over your network to your Chromecast.  But, even then, Chromecast devices check for the internet and stop working as soon as they notice they can't get it.  There is no way around it.

You may want to look at a Miracast device.  It's a totally different protocol.  I have heard that SOME (but not all) Miracast devices will work without internet.  But, their support is limited and they put huge processing demands on your phone.  Please do your research carefully.

View Recommended Answer in original post

7 REPLIES 7

kiltguy2112
Silver Product Expert
Silver Product Expert

Casting doesn't work that way. Your not really beaming from your phone to the chromecast, your telling the chomecast to aquire the feed directly and use the phone as a remote control.  Whatever wifi your connected to will have to have internet.

Doesn't make sense to me.  When I cast, the picture of what I'm watching is both on my phone and on the tv.  You're telling me that the video is being streamed into our house twice.  one to my phone and one to the tv perfectly insync?  I was assuming the video is playing on the phone pulling from the internet and then the phone is then casting the image to the tv through the network.

Byteguy
Gold Product Expert
Gold Product Expert

Unless you are mirroring, your phone is only getting updates from the service; not the full stream.

In many cases, you can even turn off your phone and the service will just keep talking to the Chromecast.

If you are mirroring, the stream comes into your phone, and then goes over your network to your Chromecast.  But, even then, Chromecast devices check for the internet and stop working as soon as they notice they can't get it.  There is no way around it.

You may want to look at a Miracast device.  It's a totally different protocol.  I have heard that SOME (but not all) Miracast devices will work without internet.  But, their support is limited and they put huge processing demands on your phone.  Please do your research carefully.

JenniferV
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi there,

 

Thanks for the help here, Byteguy. I appreciate it.

 

dmorlow, we hope this answered your question. You may also check the support website articles below to learn more about these features.

 

Cast your Android screen from the Google Home app.

Cast video from Chromecast-enabled apps to your TV.

 

Thanks,

Jennifer

JenniferV
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi dmorlow,

 

It's me again. I wanted to check back in to see if you still need help. Feel free to let me know if you do.

 

Thanks,

Jennifer

JenniferV
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey there,

 

Just checking in to make sure that you've seen my response. Please let me know if you have other questions or concerns as I will be locking this in 24 hours if I won't hear back from you again. Feel free to start a new thread and we'll be happy to help.


Thanks,

Jennifer

Jeran
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey there!

We haven't heard back from dmorlow, and it's been a few days, so I'm locking the thread. As always, feel free to make a new thread if you have any more questions or concerns.

Thank you for your help, kiltguy2112, Byteguy, and Jennifer!

Best regards,
Jeran