Google Chromecast – a thumb-sized dongle that turns just about any TV into a home theatre. Or, in other words, Chromecast can transform your old TV into a Smart TV by simply plugging it in. It allows you to stream movies, tv shows, sport events and other media from a wide range of online channels.
Chromecast has made it easy to share media with a wide range of devices throughout people’s homes; push content from phones to TV, stream videos stored on PCs without having to sit at a desk, or even watch content between devices for maximum comfort.
Chromecast and VPNs
However, when it comes to Chromecast there are a couple of limitations to be aware of.
First and foremost: By default, Chromecast devices don’t support VPNs.
You could just stop reading now, set up a VPN for literally any other device you own (yes, all of these devices are supported), and save me tonnes of time writing and explaining, but we both know humans just love to overcomplicate things so here it goes…
The reason Chromecasts don’t support VPNs is simple. Chromecast does not have the ability to natively run VPN applications nor does it have any built-in VPN client. A Chromecast device requires communication between it and the other devices on the same network.
But why can I not just Chromecast US Netflix from my phone to the TV?
Right, imagine you’re Princess Meghan, HRH Meghan, Duchess Meghan, Meghan.
Don’t question it. Just imagine.
Now that you’ll be spending most of your time on the other side of the pond you’ll be missing out on all your favourite British shows. That’s because paid subscription services only give customers access to certain content based on their location.
Picture the scene — Hazza is feeling a little homesick and looking forward to a night on the couch catching up on The Crown. Booo — you can’t access the latest season because you’re in Canada. But wait. You remember you are a VPNCity customer and can use their VPN to connect to a London server (which means you’ll make your system think it’s in the UK and therefore able to access British television). Now you press the Chromecast icon to see all the action on the big screen and … error screen?!
Well, that’s because even though your phone is virtually browsing from London, your TV is connected to your wifi router in Toronto.
Now, you could either call Archibald to get you a private plane back to the land of endless rain, mugs of tea, Harry Potter and fellas with ginger hair OR you could let a cartoon ninja walk you through a way to get around this.
So here we go, we’ll show you exactly how to make it work for you.
Chromecast VPN setup via local Wifi hotspot
⚠️ Important note: Please keep in mind that this option may slow down video playback, lower video quality and function slower if your PC isn’t very powerful.
Essentially Meghan (Samantha, Deborah, Whatever), VPN doesn’t automatically pair with your Google Chromecast after it is enabled on your network service. You will have to arrange a mode of communication that helps connect Google Chromecast with the VPN using the same network.
The most convenient way to get all your devices – including your Chromecast – connected to VPNCity is to set up a local Wifi hotspot on your computer, phone or tablet. Nifty, right?
Setting up internet hotspot on iOS devices
⚠️ Critical: You must ensure you are connected to one of the VPNCity's streaming servers!
First, we’ll need to enable internet sharing and configure your hotspot. The Wi-Fi hotspot option is part of the ‘Internet Sharing’ feature in Mac OS X. You’ll find it in the System Preferences window. Click the Apple menu, select System Preferences, and click the Sharing icon.
Select the ‘Internet Sharing’ option from the list. You’ll now need to select the Internet connection you want to share with the devices.
In the ‘To computers using’ box, enable the Wi-Fi option. This will create a Wi-Fi hotspot, and the Internet connection you selected at the top of the window will be shared with devices that connect to the Wi-Fi network.
Click the ‘Wi-Fi Options’ button at the bottom of the window to configure your Wi-Fi hotspot. Select your preferred network name and the best Wi-Fi channel.
When you’re done setting things up, click the checkbox to the left of Internet Sharing and click ‘Start’ to activate your Wi-Fi hotspot.
That’s your WiFi Hotspot ready! Now, all you need to do is simply configure your Chromecast to use that Wifi hotspot. Simply head to the Settings tab in your Chromecast app on your phone and select your new Wifi network.
That’s it! Once your Chromecast is connected to the local Wifi hotspot and you’re connected to VPNCity on the device where the hotspot software is running – your Chromecast will be using the VPN connection with the new IP, ISP and location – allowing you access to geo-blocked content.
Setting up internet hotspot on Windows devices
⚠️ Critical: You must ensure you are connected to one of the VPNCity's streaming servers!
First, fire up Settings by pressing Windows+I on your keyboard. On the main Settings page, click ‘Network & Internet’.
Next, select ‘Mobile hotspot’.
On the right-hand side, turn on the ‘Share my Internet connection with other devices’ switch. If you want something other than the default network name and password, click the ‘Edit’ button.
In the Edit window, type whatever network name and password you want to use and then click ‘OK’.
That’s your WiFi Hotspot ready! Now, all you need to do is simply configure your Chromecast to use that Wifi hotspot. Simply head to the Settings tab in your Chromecast app on your phone and select your new Wifi network.
That’s it! Once your Chromecast is connected to the local Wifi hotspot and you’re connected to VPNCity on the device where the hotspot software is running – your Chromecast will be using the VPN connection with the new IP, ISP and location – allowing you to Chromecast & Chill to your heart’s content.
Enjoy Netflix, Naked Attraction, Royal Family Conspiracy Documentaries or any other geo-blocked content on your Smart TV with VPNCity.
If you have any further questions about Chromecast or our powerful VPNCity VPN (or you just want to chat to our awesome support team), you can contact us via our 24/7 live chat here.
