Here are a few guest mode frequently asked questions. If these don't resolve your question, please ask members of our help community.
Introduction
How close do I need to be to a Chromecast in order to use guest mode?The Chromecast only makes its presence known to devices within Wi-Fi range (typically limited to 25 feet).
- Only users connected to the same Wi-Fi, can turn on the Chromecast to guest mode.
- If guest mode is on, your Chromecast will display a 4 digit random PIN on the Chromecast.
- Alternatively, the user needs to be in front of the TV screen to see and enter the PIN.
Yes, you can turn off guest mode at any point from the Google Home app. Here's how to manage guest mode.
If you have more than one Chromecast on your WiFi network, select the Chromecast device where you want to turn off guest mode, then turn off Guest Mode from within device settings.
Chromecast transfers ultrasonic audio tones to authenticate and ultrasonic audio does not go through walls, glass or even fabric. If the mobile device trying to connect to the Chromecast is not in the same room, it won't be able to hear the ultrasonic tones. You will also need to be in front of the TV screen to see the manual PIN.
- No, Chromecast-enabled apps that send local media from your phone or tablet to the Chromecast do not work with guest mode.
- You will not see the cast icon in an unsupported app, even when you are near a Chromecast in guest mode.
No, currently guest mode is not supported on Nexus player.
Devices
How do mobile devices nearby know there is a Chromecast in guest mode nearby?Chromecast in guest mode emits a special Wi-Fi and Bluetooth beacon. Your phone looks for this beacon and determines that a Chromecast is nearby.
Chromecast in guest mode emits a special Wi-Fi beacon. Your phone looks for this beacon and determines that a Chromecast is nearby.
- Chromecast will automatically transfer a randomly-generated 4-digit PIN to the mobile device seeking to connect to it via guest mode by playing short ultrasonic audio tones that you won’t hear.
- If this audio pairing fails, you need to see the PIN on the idle screen of the TV that’s connected to a Chromecast in guest mode and enter the PIN manually.
You can use devices running Android 5.0 to cast media apps to your Chromecast. Here are the apps you can cast on guest mode:
- Netflix
- YouTube
- YouTube Music
- Pandora
- Google Play Movies
- Google Play Music
- Spotify
To turn on guest mode, go to Set up and manage guest mode.
Settings
Does guest mode use mobile data for streaming from the guest’s phone/tablet?No, when a mobile device connects to a Chromecast in guest mode only minimal data is used to signal to the Chromecast. The Chromecast streams content using the Wi-Fi network it's already connected to.
Yes. If you are connected to a Wi-Fi network different from your Chromecast, you can still cast to a “Nearby device.”