Motivation
Google Chromecast is one of the most frequent streaming devices used in testing. It serves as an intermediary device that makes your TV “smart”. Because it has no remote included, you need to use your phone, tablet, or desktop for that purpose. Also, there is an option to use a TV remote for basic operations like Play and Pause.
Plugging your Google Chromecast into your TV
Google Chromecast contains standard HDMI output compatible with most TVs (with resolution at least 1080) produced after 2004.
Please, plug your Google Chromecast in the free HDMI port on your TV and connect the electrical cord into the power. The next thing is to locate an HDMI-CEC protocol within your TV settings and enable it.
Installing Home App
For iOS devices, please visit the Apple Store and download the Home App for your device model.
For Android devices, please visit the Play Store and download the Home App.
For desktop devices, you can install a browser extension. Please, visit this link and click on the button Add to Chrome.
Launching Home App
After you download and install Home App on your phone, you can launch it by double-tapping on the app icon on your device.
Connecting your Home App to your Chromecast
Important: Connect the device you installed Home App to the same Wifi as your Chromecast.
Once you launch the app, tap on the Get started link.
Enter the preferred name for your home and tap on the Next button.
Enter your home address and tap on the Next button.
Give the location access to the app.
Select Chromecast/Google TV from the list.
Tap on the Next button.
Confirm that the code on your TV and within the app matches so you can proceed with registering Chromecast to the WiFi network.
Tap on Yes, I’m in.
Select the location of your Chromecast and tap on the Next button.
Select the Wifi network from the list.
Enter the Password.
Tap on the Next button and wait till your Chromecast connects to the Wifi.
How to set up a VPN connection for your Chromecast on your Windows 10 PC
The final step in setting up your Chromecast for testing is setting up a virtual router on your desktop device.
The easiest way is to download and install the VPN client on your PC, register, log in, and connect it (works with paid VPN clients like Avast Secure Line, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, privateVPN, or Windscribe).
After that, you need to click on the Wifi icon on the Taskbar and click on the Mobile Hotspot to enable it.
Now enter the keyword Settings in the Search field and press Enter.
Click on the Network & Internet>Mobile Hotspot>Change Adapter Options.
Right-click on your VPN Name Network Adapter and then click on the Properties.
Switch to the Sharing tab, check the Allow other network to connect through this computer's Internet connection. When the popup window shows up, click on the OK button.
Underneath, you will see a Home networking connection. Click on the drop-down and select Local Area Connection* 16.
Click on the OK button to save the settings.
Now open your Home app. If you are already connected to Wifi, you need to Forget that network in the Settings.
Afterward, you will be redirected to the initial setup process for your device. Make sure that you select the virtual adapter network during the process.
Casting content from YouTube
We will share an example of how to start casting the content from the YouTube app to your TV using Google Chromecast.
Open YouTube app.
Tap on the Cast icon.
When the popup shows up, tap on the Device Name (e.g. Living Room TV).
An overlay message "Connecting to Living Room TV" will show up just above the bottom sticky menu.
To use your phone as a remote, tap again on the Cast icon and tap on Remote.
To activate Remote, tap on the middle button of the virtual remote on your phone.
Use arrows to navigate between menu or cards using arrows.
To confirm actions, use the middle button on the virtual remote on your phone.
Casting from your Chrome browser or entire screen to your TV using Chromecast requires a little setup in the browser.
Open Google Chrome browser and click on the ellipsis in the upper right corner. Click on the Cast, and then in the drop-down select what do you want to cast.
After that, click on the Chromecast device above the drop-down (in my case it was a TV) and then click on the Share.
Note: If the test cycle requires testing audio files, make sure that you check the Cast Audio before you click on the Share button.
Note: After you finish testing, you can turn off the Mobile Hotspot by clicking on the Wifi on the Taskbar and then clicking on the Mobile Hotspot.
During the test on streaming devices, including Chromecast, you need to record a bug with an external device (phone or camera). The only difference in submitting the bug report is that you have to include in the screencast the Home app where you show Device Settings and the app for testing.