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Chrome cast from Android phone to Older Mac desktop

monicon
Community Member

Hi I live in a remote area and use my android phone to tether rather than a standalone modem. I have an older Mac desktop that I want to use as a "monitor". What are the chances of using a chromecast plugged into the MAC desktop and just to make it interesting, using a tethered mobile phone to cast the signal?  

1 Recommended Answer

Byteguy
Gold Product Expert
Gold Product Expert

You are probably going to have a lot of trouble with that setup.  Your Mac will have to have an HDMI INPUT port so you can plug the Chromecast device into it.

And most phones can't BE the WiFi network and act like they are ON the network at the same time.  So, you will probably need another device to control your Chromecast  because your Mac will be busy being a monitor so you won't be able to use it to control content.


Something like this...
Turn on the WiFi hotspot on your phone to make a new network (note: this HAS to have full internet access)
Connect your other device to your phone hotspot
Use the other device to setup your Chromecast to use the phone hotspot
Use the other device to cast to your Chromecast

A couple more warnings... your hotspot has to have full internet access. Chromecasts require this even when you are casting local content. Be warned that Chromecasts can use a LOT of data quickly. Because of this, speed of connection is important. Even if you have "unlimited data", some providers throttle phone data speeds when you do a lot of data. This will impact the quality of your casting or cause a lot of stutters.

Unfortunately, the only way to know if this will work is to try it.  If it doesn't work, there isn't much you can do to force it.

View Recommended Answer in original post

1 REPLY 1

Byteguy
Gold Product Expert
Gold Product Expert

You are probably going to have a lot of trouble with that setup.  Your Mac will have to have an HDMI INPUT port so you can plug the Chromecast device into it.

And most phones can't BE the WiFi network and act like they are ON the network at the same time.  So, you will probably need another device to control your Chromecast  because your Mac will be busy being a monitor so you won't be able to use it to control content.


Something like this...
Turn on the WiFi hotspot on your phone to make a new network (note: this HAS to have full internet access)
Connect your other device to your phone hotspot
Use the other device to setup your Chromecast to use the phone hotspot
Use the other device to cast to your Chromecast

A couple more warnings... your hotspot has to have full internet access. Chromecasts require this even when you are casting local content. Be warned that Chromecasts can use a LOT of data quickly. Because of this, speed of connection is important. Even if you have "unlimited data", some providers throttle phone data speeds when you do a lot of data. This will impact the quality of your casting or cause a lot of stutters.

Unfortunately, the only way to know if this will work is to try it.  If it doesn't work, there isn't much you can do to force it.