WebCast extension detects video files in.mp4 format that are played on the page, and allow to send them to ChromeCast device. Whenever extension detects supported video file being played on the page, it will add page action to your omibox that allows to play video on Chrome Cast device.
In this day, it’s pretty common for people to have all sorts of devices. From laptops to desktops to smartphones to tablets to smartwatches and even smart homes, it’s not unusual for people to have more tech than they can easily list off. So you would think that all of these devices would be a bit more compatible with each other, to please the consumer.
- I need to upgrade my laptop, though, and therefore will lose the extension (I think). To see how to do it I have tried to download Chromecast on a different Mac but it seems like since they've updated that it's only possible to download the Chromecast app (Google Home now) on an iPhone/iPad or any device compatible with Google Play.
- ALLOW EXTENSION: Access chrome://extensions/ and CHECK 'Allow access to file URLs' from 'cast player' extension. CHROMECAST USERS!! This is the solution to play local files in your Chromecast (with subtitles).
And yet, getting all your gadgets to work together the way you want them to can be a much bigger headache than it should be sometimes. It doesn’t have to be, though. Here’s one example: as a Mac user, how do you extend your desktop or use Airplay through your Google Chromecast device? This article will look at a fairly simple way to get this setup working right now.
Normally a Mac won’t let you cast (mirror) your whole desktop or a Google Chrome browser tab with a Chromecast device–not natively, anyway. You’ll need another application to get those parts to play together.
AirParrot 2 is an application that will allow you to mirror or extend your Mac desktop to your Chromecast. It will also let you use Airplay directly through your Chromecast. You can give AirParrot 2 a test run for seven days for free. After that, if you decide to purchase the app, it’s only $12.99, and it’s fully wireless, so you don’t need any additional equipment to make it work. With its most recent update being in September of 2017, it’s also still fairly up-to-date.
Not only does AirParrot 2 let you extend your desktop, but can also share a single app to whatever device your Chromecast is connected to, where you can listen to audio tracks playing on your Mac, or cast media files directly from your Mac to your Chromecast device.
We find it’s a worthwhile investment, especially if you want to extend your Mac display or AirPlay directly to your Chromecast device.
What is AirPlay?
AirPlay is an Apple function that allows users to quickly cast their current screen to another device. This function is incredibly useful for viewing content on a larger screen.
Not just for viewing content, but also listening to music, and sharing content with others, this feature is native to all Apple devices. You can use Apple’s AirPlay with any other compatible device.
Chromecast is similar to AirPlay except it is a Google Device. Unfortunately, the two aren’t openly compatible with one another. But that’s ok, because we can still use AirPlay with a Chromecast device.
AirPlay to Chromecast from Your Mac
Why not give AirParrot 2 a shot? You can use it for seven days for free, so just head to the website, download it and see if you like how it works. It’s compatible with Mac OS X 10.7.5 and later. It’s not just for Mac, either–you can get AirParrot 2 on your Windows computer or Chromebook, too. We’ll go over that further down, so keep reading.
Besides Chromecast, it’ll also work with Apple TV (with the AirParrot remote app, an additional $7.99 on iOS devices), Smart TVs, other computers in your house, and speakers. Pretty cool, right?
Here’s how to run it on your Mac:
- On the AirParrot 2 website, download the application for Mac.
- After the download has finished on your Mac, run the AirParrot 2 dmg.
- Next, drag the AirParrot 2 app to the application folder shown on your display. This installs the app to your Applications folder.
- Go to Applications and locate AirParrot 2.
- Finally, fire it up. You’ll see the little parrot face icon in the menu bar at the top of your Mac display.
- When the app is in use, the parrot’s face changes color from black to green.
Now you can extend your Mac desktop or use AirPlay with your Google Chromecast to expand your use of the Google Chromecast device even further than before. And you can do it all for a whole lot less than purchasing a brand new Apple TV.
If you’re using the free trial, you’ll notice an announcement about enjoying your trial version now and then. It gives you the website address and encourages you to get the full version of AirParrot 2. Apart from that, though, you get the full features of AirParrot 2 with the free trial version.
In terms of out-of-the-box compatibility without having to make a significant investment, we’ve found AirParrot 2 is the best companion to the Google Chromecast. Once the trial period is up, it’s definitely worth purchasing this application–it’s a no-brainer as far as we’re concerned.
Windows and Chromecast or AirPlay
For Windows, AirParrot is compatible with Vista, 7, 8.x, and 10, but not RT. To get it to work, you follow the same basic steps to get the AirParrot 2 application for Windows as you did for Mac. First, navigate to the AirParrot 2 website. Once you’ve landed on the Windows AirParrot 2 download page, on the upper right-hand side, click the green “TRY” button. Once it’s downloaded, you can use AirParrot 2 free for a seven-day trial period.
- On the next page, you’ll click on the “for Windows” version. A drop-down box will appear on the screen. Select either 32 or 64 bit, depending on which version of the Windows operating system you’re running. The MSI file will then be downloaded to your browser.
- After the AirParrot 2 file is downloaded, double-click on it and accept the EULA. Then, click the Install button.
- Allow the AirParrot application to make changes to your device and click the “Yes” button. From there, it installs like any other program. The install wizard will run, and when it’s completed, just click on the “Finish” button.
- The AirParrot 2 application icon should now be displayed on your Windows desktop. Double-click on it to start the app. Next, click the “Try AirParrot 2” button.
- You’ll see the AirParrot 2 user interface pop up with a notification from the Windows taskbar area. Click on the little green parrot face. Your Google Chromecast should now appear in the “To” area. Choose what you want to do in the “From” section above that. Then, select your Chromecast’s name from the list, and you’re in business.
The ability to extend the desktop from your Windows computer is still in the works, but it’s coming soon. What AirParrot 2 and Windows can currently do is mirror (AirPlay) your display to Chromecast, share only an application through your Chromecast device, play audio through Chromecast, and share files to where your Chromecast is hooked up.
If you want hands-free control of AirParrot 2 with your Windows computer and Apple TV you must have an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad with iOS 8 or higher. You will need to buy and install the AirParrot remote application, which is $7.99. That will allow you to use the remote app to control AirParrot 2 on your computer.
However, you can use Airplay from your Windows computer to your Apple TV just as you would with the Chromecast instructions we’ve provided.
After you’ve paired the AirParrot Remote app with the AirParrot 2 application on your computer, you’ll have total control of your PC without having to be in front of it.
In the final determination, AirParrot 2 is the perfect companion application to use with your Google Chromecast device, Apple TV, or Mac and Windows computers. When you want to mirror or extend your desktop, listen to tunes, show off some photos, or let someone else see a file from your PC through your Google Chromecast or Apple TV using AirPlay, this lets you do it without any hassle.
You won’t need any more hacks and tricks–the AirParrot 2 app does the job for you. AirParrot 2 for the Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Mac, and Windows is a breakthrough in getting things to just work together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AirPlay Compatible with Chromecast?
Unfortunately, not directly. You will need the help of a third-party service to cast your Apple device to a Chromecast device.
Do I have to use AirParrot 2?
Depending on the content you’re trying to stream, you can bypass AirParrot 2 altogether. For example, if you have the option to use the Google Chrome browser you can quickly and easily cast your screen to your Chromecast device from your Mac device.
Make your Mac invincible
As of 2018, more than 30 million households in the U.S. had “cut the cord” on their pay TV subscriptions, and around three million ditched cable in that year alone. In other words, smart TVs and other streaming devices are only going to get more popular.
Google’s Chromecast, thanks to its flexibility — allowing you to watch the likes of YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu, as well as “cast” photos, slideshows, video calls, and much more — is among the most popular devices for people looking at how to connect Mac to TV.
While Chromecast lacks one-click interface on the same intuitive level as Apple TV, it really isn’t difficult to set up your Mac for casting. In addition to covering that, this article presents some of the different ways to get the best performance possible when using Chromecast for Mac.
Get your Chromecast setup on Setapp
Download an app library to use Chromecast to the fullest. Optimize playback, prevent audio issues, and solve every Chromecast problem — effortlessly.
How To Use Chromecast On Mac
Your initial Chromecast setup on Mac shouldn’t take more than about 10 minutes as long as everything goes smoothly. Once that’s all done you can start having some fun with the device.
Assuming that you already have your Chromecast plugged into an HDMI port on the back of your TV and powered up using a USB port or the power cube included in the box, proceed to the following steps you need to take:
- Open Chrome on your Mac and visit www.google.com/chromecast/setup
- You’ll be prompted to download Google Home for iPhone/iPad from the App Store or Android from the Google Play Store
- As long as your Chromecast is plugged in, it will automatically appear in the Google Home app when you open it up
- Make sure your device is connected to the WiFi network you want Chromecast to use and follow the steps to pair it
Your Chromecast device can now be used by any Mac, Android phone, or iPhone/iPad connected to that WiFi network. This is a far cry from setting up using a computer, something that’s now no longer possible, which used to involve downloading a Chromecast extension for Mac and entering codes to pair the device properly.
Using Chromecast on Mac effectively
Now that your Chromecast is connected, it’s easy to mirror your Mac’s screen on your TV. In the past you needed to download a Chromecast extension for Chrome before you could do this but now, as long as you’re using an up-to-date version of Chrome, you don’t need to add anything else in order to use Chromecast on MacBook.
In Chrome, just select View ➙ Cast (or use the three vertical dots to the right of the toolbar to select Cast from there) and choose from the Sources dropdown whether you want to broadcast:
The tab you have open
Your desktop
A particular file
If you’re viewing a media file on your laptop, say via YouTube, then you may see a box with three lines (that look like the WiFi symbol rotated 45 degrees clockwise) that will say Play on TV when you hover over it. You can also access the Cast menu from here.
But why bother searching for Cast options if you can mirror anything you play on your Mac to Chromecast from one spot — JustStream app. It’s the best streaming tool for Mac out there, working with Apple TV, Chromecast, and all types of DLNA-certified TVs. Here’s how to streamline your Chromecast experience with JustStream:
Click on the JustStream icon in your menu bar
See connected devices and select Chromecast
Click Start streaming.
That’s it. JustStream works with virtually all video formats so you don’t have to worry about compatibility. And thanks to 4K and HD support, you always get the best quality possible. Plus, JustStream allows you to add subtitles and even customize encoding, colors, and fonts if you like.
Now you officially know how to Chromecast from Mac.
Optimizing Chromecast playback on Mac
For most Mac users, a trickier issue than how to use Chromecast on Mac is making sure that their laptop or desktop is functioning in such a way that allows for smooth and seamless playback.
Two common issues when streaming from Chromecast to Mac include poor audio and video that jumps and stutters or plays in low quality. Most problems like these boil down to one (or more) of three causes:
Lack of RAM or processing power on your Mac
Weak or underperforming internet connection
Hardware limitations or configurations
Using Chromecast from Mac places additional demands on your machine that can be challenging for laptops or desktops that are older and full of clutter. Try using an app like CleanMyMac X, which scans your Mac with a single click to search for issues with your hard disk, malware, and unnecessary apps.
Still looking at video that’s blocky or jumping? It could be a problem with your WiFi. For this, WiFi Explorer is a useful app that acts as a one-stop shop for monitoring, analyzing, and troubleshooting your WiFi network. Just open up the app and it’ll automatically provide feedback on the network your Mac is currently connected to.
Just a glance at the real-time scan of networks in the area should quickly and easily reveal if something like signal strength or overcrowded WiFi channels might be to blame for the issues. If that’s the case, you may want to try a wired connection or moving your router from its current location.
Make your WiFi connection ideal
Chromecast On Mac
Get WiFi Explorer, a Mac app that will automatically solve every network-related issue for you. From monitoring to troubleshooting, it’s all covered.
Solving Chromecast audio issues on Mac
You can have the crispest video quality in the world but, if the audio isn’t up to scratch, you won’t get the immersive experience that you’re looking for. Unless you have a soundbar, most flat screen TVs put out quiet and tinny audio. In some cases, you may be better off using headphones or even your Mac’s built-in speakers.
Unfortunately, by default, the sound put out by Macs can also be a bit lacking due to volume limitations or incorrect equalizer setup. Luckily, there’s an app out there called Boom 3D that allows you to unlock the true potential of your Mac’s audio output.
In addition to enabling virtual 3D surround sound on built-in speakers or headphones, which is a pretty cool piece of patent-pending tech in and of itself, it comes with a palette of equalizer presets (that can be manually tweaked) for different genres.
You can also boost the volume capability of your Mac way beyond the system default and, if you’re worried about accidentally blaring Spotify in the middle of a meeting, set custom volume adjustments for individual apps.
Volume discrepancy between different hardware providers is pretty common, as anyone who has almost deafened themselves when switching inputs on their TV will be able to attest to, and it’s great to know you’ll no longer need to turn the volume on your TV set way up or down when you’re casting from your Mac.
Streaming devices like Apple TV and Google Chromecast on Mac have enabled an entire generation to move away from cable TV in favor of individual streaming apps that they can pick and choose from. And because there’s no need to download an additional Chromecast app for Mac or anything like that, the process of getting started is usually very straightforward.
As innovative and modern as that idea is, the whole thing can be derailed by audio or video problems. These, however, can be easily resolved with a couple of additional apps.
It’s difficult to know exactly what the future of media streaming holds, but two things are for sure:
Available picture and sound quality will continue to improve
More streaming services (e.g. Disney Plus) will appear
What do both of these have in common? They’ll likely place additional demands on your internet connection and your hardware. With that in mind, it makes sense to improve the performance of both as much as you possibly can.
Google Chromecast App For Mac
Fortunately, JustStream, CleanMyMac X, Boom 3D, and WiFi Explorer mentioned above are available for a free trial on Setapp, a platform of more than 200 Mac and iOS apps designed to optimize every aspect of your digital life. So what are you watching tonight?