Does Your Smart TV have Chromecast Built-In? (Samsung, Vizio, Sony, LG, TCL, Hisense & more)
Everybody loves their smart TV. Whether you want to kick back and watch your favorite show on Netflix or Hulu, or just watch some good old-fashioned shows on cable, a smart TV can do it all and more. The all-in-one access to your favorite apps and services is pretty much irreplaceable, and it’s why smart TVs are becoming the new standard.
However, the smart TV isn’t the be-all-end-all solution to watching whatever you want in the comfort of your home. Some apps and services are only available on other devices, such as laptops, phones, and tablets.
For these, Chromecast is the perfect solution! Chromecast gives you the ability to directly cast whatever is on your mobile device, tablet, or another electronic device onto your TV, giving you a bigger screen and a better experience.
So, do smart TVs have Chromecast built-in?
Some brands of smart TV have Chromecast built-in as a part of their features, but some, unfortunately, do not. Read on to find out which smart TVs have Chromecast as a part of their core features!
What are the benefits of Chromecast?
If you’re here, but you aren’t sure why you would even want or need your smart TV to have Chromecast built-in, that’s okay! I will explain quickly what Chromecast is, why it’s helpful, and what kind of functions it can serve.
Chromecast basically allows you to show whatever is on the screen of your laptop, cell phone, tablet, or mobile device on your TV. This is a very nice feature for a few reasons.
Firstly, it gets rid of a lot of remotes. As technology has improved, it seems like the number of TV remotes you need has improved with it. One for the cable box, one for the TV, one for the audio, the list goes on.
Chromecast allows you to significantly cut back on the number of remotes you’ll need to juggle by putting many of their functions into your cell phone instead. Since you always lose your remotes, and you always have your cell phone (at least that’s the case for me), this makes the TV watching experience far less annoying.
Secondly, it allows you to use features and apps that are not downloaded or not available on your smart TV. If it is on your phone, you can cast it to your TV, provided you have the Chromecast feature available.
Not only does this mean more Niche apps (such as apps for specific networks) will work, but so will video players that are in your internet browser rather than in an app.
Chromecast also allows for features outside of just watching TV and movies as well! There are games that can be cast to your TV, as well as Google docs, Google slides, and other Google services.
So, now that you know why you would want to have a Chromecast built into your smart TV, lets check out which smart TVs are lucky enough to have this feature built into them, and which smart TV owners will need to do a little extra work to get their hands on Chromecast.
Do Samsung TVs have Chromecast built-in?
Although Samsung is one of the most popular brands of smart TV, none of the smart TVs they manufacture have Chromecast as an innate function. Although this limits the innate functionality of Samsung smart TVs a bit, it is not the end of the world.
Not only do Samsung smart TVs still have access to most streaming apps, allowing you to access the same content (just not controlled via your mobile device), but there is a way to get Chromecast on a smart TV without Chromecast built into it.
If you have a Samsung smart TV, feel free to scroll down to the “What to do if your TV does not have Chromecast built-in?’ Section of this article. There, you can read about the external Chromecast device, how to get it, how to set it up, and how to use it.
Although it’s not ideal to have to buy an external device, it is nice knowing you’ll have access to all the same functions as the other smart TVs once your external device is all set up.
Do Sony TVs have Chromecast built-in?
It depends on the model of Sony TV you have, but there are models of Sony smart TV that have Chromecast built-in. This will save you a lot of hassle with an external Chromecast device and is a fantastic feature.
More specifically, Sony’s Android TV has a Chromecast function. In order to access this great feature, follow these instructions:
- On the remote control that is supplied with your Android TV, press the HOME button
- Select SETTINGS (noted by a small cogwheel icon)
- Select APP under the TV category
- Select SYSTEM APP under the APP category
- Select GOOGLE CAST RECEIVER or CHROMECAST BUILT-IN under the SYSTEM APP category
- Select ENABLE
This will allow you to cast onto your TV from any mobile device. After this, simply open the desired screen on your device, and a small TV icon should appear in the corner. Tap this icon and select the TV you want to cast onto.
Do LG TVs have Chromecast built-in
Unfortunately, LG TVs, similarly to Samsung TVs, do not support built-in Chromecast as a feature on any of their smart TV models. Again, this does not make LG smart TVs bad TVs. In fact, they are some of the best TVs on the market.
It does, however, limit your ability in this one niche way. If you are interested in casting onto an LG TV, scroll down to the “What to do if you’re TV does not have Chromecast built-in” section of this article!”
Do Vizio TVs have Chromecast built-in?
Vizio TV owners rejoice! You are able to use Chromecast without having to do any extra legwork! Not only do Vizio smart TV models have Chromecast built-in, but they also work seamlessly with your Google Assistant device as well!
Vizio Smart TV’s built-in Chromecast allows you to directly control your TV from any device and enjoy thousands of Chromecast-compatible apps.
You will also have the power to cast your internet browser onto your TV, if you want a larger viewing experience, or if you’re watching something in a google chrome browser rather than on a streaming service!
The seamless connection with your Google Assistant (if you have one) also allows you to set mood music, mood lighting, and other Google Assistant-specific features.
Once your Google Assistant is connected to your Vizio smart TV, you can also use your voice to control your smart TV as well. Simple commands will allow you to play your favorite music, movies, and TV shows without ever having to lift a finger.
Do TCL TVs have Chromecast built-in
TCL smart TVs are also one of the lucky brands to have built-in Chromecast as one of the core features of their smart TV. However, only certain models of TCL smart TV have Chromecast built in.
If you have any of the following smart TV models, you’re one of the lucky ones!
- X2 65 inch 4K QLED Android
- X2 55 inch 4K QLED Android
- C2 75 inch 4K UHD Android
- C2 70 inch 4K UHD Android
- C2 65 inch 4K UHD Android
- C2 55 inch 4K UHD Android
- C2 49 inch 4K UHD Android
- P20 65 inch 4K UHD Android
- P20 60 inch 4K UHD Android
- P20 55 inch 4K UHD Android
Do Hisense TVs have Chromecast built-in?
Similar to TCL TVs, Hisense TVs have built-in Chromecast depending on the model. Most of the models built recently have the Chromecast feature built-in, allowing you to cast your mobile device immediately without having to go out and by a Chromecast device, or fiddle with any extra devices at all.
However, some older models of Hisense TVs do not have built-in Chromecast. The easiest way for you to know is to check.
Follow these steps to see if you have Chromecast built-in. If you do, continue following the steps to figure out how to use it!
- First, you must install the Google Home App on your device
- In the Google Home app, tap the “+” button in the top-left corner of your screen.
- This will take you to the ADD AND MANAGE menu. Select SET UP DEVICE, and then tap on SETUP NEW DEVICES IN YOUR HOME.
- At this point, you should be able to cast. Open your mobile device, and check for the cast icon in any of your streaming apps.
If you are unable to cast at this point, it will be necessary for you to buy an external device in order to Chromecast. We will cover how to do this, and how to use it once you purchase it later on, so keep reading!
Other popular brands with built-in Chromecast
All models of Toshiba and Skyworth smart TV come with a built-in Chromecast. If you have a smart TV by either of these brands, you should be able to cast to your TV from any mobile device no problem! Lucky you!
What to do if you’re TV does not have Chromecast built in:
So, as we’ve covered, unfortunately not everyone is lucky enough to have Chromecast built-in to their smart TV as a core function out of the box. This isn’t the end of the world, however, as there is a way for any TV to get access to the very same features!
Google makes a Chromecast device that plugs directly into your smart TV via the HDMI port. this device will allow any TV to have mobile devices cast to it, provided that the device and the Chromecast are both connected to the same wireless network.
How to use your Chromecast device
Here’s a quick tutorial on how to use a Chromecast device that is not directly built-in to the functionality of your smart TV.
- Plug in your Chromecast device. It can be plugged into any HDMI port, which every smart TV model has.
- Connect the USB power cable to the Chromecast.
- Then, plug the other side into a wall outlet, extension cord, or any power source.
- Some Chromecast models can be plugged into TVs with USB ports on them as well. This option is less cumbersome and there are fewer hanging wires, so check to see if it is an option for you.
- Download the Google Home app
- Tap “+” in the top left corner. Then tap SET UP DEVICE
- Tap NEW DEVICE
- Follow the steps displayed on your mobile device from here.
After this, you should be able to cast easily from any Chromecast-supported app. These days, most mainstream streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO, and others are supported by Chromecast and are able to seamlessly transfer onto your TV with the push of a button.
Final Thoughts
So, do smart TVs have access to Chromecast? Again, the short answer is, it depends on the brand. Sometimes, it even depends on the specific model of smart TV that you have.
If you are lucky enough to have a smart TV with Chromecast built into it, such as a TCL, Hisense, Vizio, or Sony, among others, then this excellent function is available to you from the get-go, with little to no setup required. Just make sure your smart TV and your mobile device are on the same wireless network.
However, if you have an LG, Samsung, or other smart TV without a built-in Chromecast, don’t worry! Simply invest in the external Chromecast device, set it up following the instructions in this article, and cast away!
Chromecast brings to you the ability to view anything from Netflix, to Hulu, to anything you can find in a Google Chrome tab, as well as your favorite music and other media, all controlled directly from your cell phone, tablet, or laptop, all without ever getting up from your seat. So, what are you waiting for? Say goodbye to that pile of remotes, and say hello to Chromecast!
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