Can I Bring My Chromecast to a Friend’s House?

You’re packing your overnight bag to stay at your friend’s house when you remember they don’t have a smart TV or even a Netflix subscription. 

You could take your computer there and settle for watching TV shows on a small screen, but there must be a way to watch content on your TV from your phone. 

Can you take your Chromecast to your friend’s house? If so, how would you set it up on their TV and Wi-Fi network? 

Keep reading to find out!

Can I Bring My Chromecast to a Friend’s House?

Yes, you can bring a Chromecast to a friend’s house!

One great thing about Chromecasts is that they’re portable, so you can take them with you almost anywhere you go, including to your friend’s house. 

But before packing your Chromecast, we recommend calling your friend and asking them if their TV has a working HDMI port and if they have a stable Wi-Fi connection. 

If the answer to both questions is “yes,” then you will definitely be able to use your Chromecast at their house. 

However, you will need to connect your Chromecast to a different Wi-Fi network, which will take a few extra steps. 

Why Is There A Need To Connect To A New Wi-Fi?

There are two main reasons why you might need to connect your Chromecast to a new Wi-Fi network.

The first reason you may need to connect your Chromecast to a new Wi-Fi network is if you’re setting it up for the first time in a new location. This can include your new home, a friend’s house, or even a hotel or Airbnb.

The second reason is if you’ve recently renamed your Wi-Fi network. Your Chromecast may still be connected to your router’s old name, making it impossible for it to connect to the internet. 

Luckily, connecting your Chromecast to a new network doesn’t have to be complicated and should only add a few extra minutes to the setup process. 

How to Connect your Chromecast to a New Wi-Fi? 

There are a few different ways you can connect your Chromecast to a new Wi-Fi.

You have several options when connecting your Chromecast to a different Wi-Fi network, depending on if you’d like to navigate the Google Home app or factory reset your device. 

Let’s learn about them! 

1. Forget Network

Step 1: Navigate to the Google Home App on the phone or tablet you’re planning on casting from 

Step 2: Check which account you’re logged into on the Google Home app and make sure it’s the same account you use for your Chromecast device. If it isn’t, log out of your Google Home account and log in to the correct account. 

Step 3: Find your Chromecast’s name and hold it down to reveal a pop-up menu. 

Step 4: In this menu, select Device Information, followed by Wi-Fi. Then click Forget this network. 

Step 5: The Google Home app will then automatically redirect you to the Home Screen where you can select and connect to a new Wi-Fi network. 

Watch the video below demonstrating how to change your Chromecast’s Wi-Fi network through its settings. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT–cZnn9g0&t=59s

2. Factory Reset Your Chromecast

If you’re having trouble changing the Wi-Fi network using the “Forget Network” option, you can factory reset your Chromecast. This may be the case if your Chromecast has saved another Wi-Fi network since it can only save and connect to one network at a time. 

Note that factory resetting your Chromecast will erase all of its data and you will have to reconnect your Google Home account to it. Think of it as returning it to its default settings.

Various Chromecast versions must be reset using different processes. 

Let’s learn about them! 

a. Chromecast with Google TV

With the Remote

Step 1: Navigate to the upper-right corner of your screen and click the Profile option. 

Step 2: Click on Settings. 

Step 3: Go to System, then About. Then select Factory Reset. 

From the Chromecast Device

Step 1: Ensure the Chromecast is plugged into the TV and powered via its provided USB adapter. Then, hold the Chromecast’s button, found on the back of the device. 

Step 2: Notice the Chromecasts LED indicator light blinking yellow. 

Step 3: Hold the button down until the LED indicator light is solid white. Your Chromecast with Google TV should now be reset. 

b. Chromecast (2nd gen), Chromecast (3rd gen), or Chromecast Ultra

From the Google Home App

Step 1: Open your phone or tablet’s Google Home App. 

Step 2: Find your Chromecast device’s title and hold it until more options appear on-screen. 

Step 3: Go to Settings, More, then Factory Reset. When given the option, click Factory Reset once more. 

From the Chromecast Device

Step 1: Plug the device into your TV and check that it’s powered. Find its button and hold it down. 

Step 2: Notice the LED light blinking yellow. 

Step 3: Release the button once the LED light turns solid white, notifying you the device has been successfully reset. 

c. Chromecast (1st gen)

From the Google Home App

Step 1: Go to the Google Home App on the device you are casting content from. 

Step 2: Press and hold your Chromecast’s name. 

Step 3: Head to the Settings. Then click More, Factory Reset, and Factory Reset again. 

From the Chromecast Device

Step 1: Make sure your device is plugged into the TV’s HDMI port and a stable power source (be it the TV USB port or a wall outlet). Find its button and hold it for, at least, 25 seconds. 

Step 2: Notice the LED indicator light blinking red. Keep pressing the button. 

Step 3: Then, see that the LED light turns a solid white and your TV screen turns black. Now you may release the Chromecast button. 

Step 4: Your Chromecast will reboot, then restart. Now it is reset and ready for you to set up. 

How To Set Up a Chromecast in a Friend’s House?

Setting up a Chromecast at a friend’s house couldn’t be easier!

Now that you know how to change your Chromecast’s Wi-Fi, you’re ready to set up your Chromecast device in new places. 

Follow the instructions below to kick off movie night the next time you head over to your friend’s house. 

Step 1: Plug Your Chromecast Into the TV and Power

Find your friend’s TV’s HDMI port and plug your Chromecast device into it. Then plug it into power. 

Depending on your Chromecast model and the TV, you may be able to plug it into the TV’s powered USB port or near a wall outlet using a USB adapter. 

Some projectors may also be used with Chromecasts if you’d like to use them in your friend’s home theater. 

Step 2: Get the Google Home App

Next, you need to download the Google Home app. 

For Android users, you can download it on the Google Play Store. If you have iPhone or iPad, you can get it from the App Store. 

Step 3: Add a New Device to Your Google Home App

Open your Google Home App and look for Add + on the Home Screen. 

Tap it, then go to Set Up Device, and select New Device. 

Step 4: Complete the Set Up Process

Follow any additional on-screen instructions to pair your phone or tablet to your Chromecast device. 

You should also ensure both devices are connected to the same network, be it Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot. You may have to enter your Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot password to establish a connection. 

Your Chromecast will display a code on-screen that should match the code in your Google Home app, letting you know they’re successfully pairing. 

What are you waiting for? It’s time to start casting!  

Wrapping Things Up

So, the next time you’re packing up for a friend’s house, don’t forget to bring along your trusty Chromecast! 

Setting up your Chromecast at a friend’s house is pretty easy once you know how to change which Wi-Fi network it’s connected to. 

You should also make sure your friend has an outlet near their TV if its USB ports are powered. 

Also, don’t forget to pack its power cable! 

With Chromecast you can watch anything your heart desires on any TV you want as long as you have access to power and an internet connection. 

Do you bring your Chromecast to friends’ houses? Let us know in the comments below!