ChromeCast turn off random mac addresses - No privacy option

[ndegroff]

Trying to assist my daughter in connecting to her college's Mac controlled WiFi network with her Chromcast with Google TV (HD) device.  I know the issue is most likely that the default option forces Chromecast to randomize it's mac address when connecting.

There are a few articles on how to "Turn off Mac Randomization", but the instructions do not work in our case.  The first 3 instructions are:

• On your Chromecast, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
• Select the Wi-Fi network you want to change the MAC address for.
• Scroll down and select Advanced.

However, when we select the Wi-Fi Network in question, there are no options to "scroll down and select advanced".  There is only "Connect" and "Forget Network".   

• Selecting "Forget Network" takes one back to the list of WiFi Networks
• Selecting "Connect" results in a "Connected successfully" message, and then a message saying "No Internet" and then it boots the chromecast off.  It does not stay connected for longer than a second.

Is there some hidden privacy or security setting to always turn off mac randomization or is there some setting for that WiFi Network that we can click on fast before getting booted off?

[David_K · Accepted solution]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but there is no simple workaround for this unfortunately. MAC randomisation is turned on by default on Chromecast with Google TV and can only be turned off per Wi-Fi network, requiring that you're first able to connect to that Wi-Fi network in order to be able to turn MAC randomisation off. Of course, that's not possible in this kind of situation.

Fundamentally, Chromecast, Google Home, and Google Nest devices don't support these kind of Wi-Fi systems, known as captive portals, that require you to login first or register devices to be able to access the internet. There are a couple of possible solutions for this:

1. Although unsupported by Google, you can try to use a phone or tablet as a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, this will then use your mobile data plan, which could be expensive for you depending on the data plan you have with your carrier. Note you will need 2 devices to set this up.
• Turn on the Wi-Fi hotspot feature on a phone or tablet. If you're not sure how to do this, refer to the manufacturer's support website.
• Connect a second phone or tablet to that Wi-Fi hotspot.
• You can then use that second phone or tablet to setup your device and connect it to the Wi-Fi hotspot on the first phone or tablet.
  
  
2. If you're able to use  a wired network connection instead, you could invest in your own cheap Wi-Fi router, connect that router to the wired network provided and connect your devices to that router instead.

[ndegroff]

Thanks David for the thorough reply. That's what I feared.  The college locks their internal networks down tighter than a drum.  I've considered both alternatives.  Second option is out since they don't have physical jacks and they also prevent devices like routers to connect and piggy back the Internet connection like on a wireless bridge.

The first option is open since our family uses androids and are familiar with opening the hotspot option.  Least desired outcome to use since it is slow and uses data plan, but may be the only option.

I'm a software developer by trade and use Google based devices (Google Nest/Home, Android, Chromecast, etc).  However, the lack of networking configuration options for more advanced usage like this is what keeps me from adopting devices like the Nest Mesh routers and having the full Google ecosystem.  Here's hoping that Google will start offering more configuration options in the future for it's devices 🙂

Thanks again!