Hi runswithdino,
Thanks for reaching out to our community.
I appreciate your question about using your smartphone’s mobile hotspot as the main Wi-Fi network to set up your Chromecast and Vizio Smart TV through the Google Home App and keep them running. I'd be happy to explain how that works and what to keep in mind.
I can confirm that it is technically possible to use your mobile hotspot as the Wi-Fi signal to set up and use these devices, but there are some important limitations.
To set up Chromecast with a mobile hotspot, follow these steps:
- On the second device, turn on the mobile data for the internet connection.
- On the first device, turn on your mobile hotspot and connect to the second mobile device.
- From the first device, open the Google Home app.
- Choose the Chromecast to set up.
- Follow all the prompts all the way up to the Wi-Fi setup screen.
- Select the mobile hotspot as the Wi-Fi network, enter the password for the hotspot network, and then tap the Set Network button.
While a mobile hotspot works, if you use it as your primary home Wi-Fi for smart devices, you could experience the following situations:
- Streaming video to a Chromecast or smart TV uses a significant amount of cellular data. If you don't have an unlimited plan (or have a data cap for hotspot usage), you could quickly incur high charges or have your speed severely throttled after hitting a limit.
- Using your phone as a full-time Wi-Fi router for streaming devices will drain your battery very quickly. You'll need to keep it plugged in constantly.
- Mobile hotspot speeds are generally less reliable and slower than a dedicated home internet connection, which can lead to buffering, lower video quality, and an overall poor streaming experience, especially when multiple devices are connected.
If you have more questions or need any further assistance with your Google Nest products, please feel free to contact us.
Best regards,
Virna
