Requirements: OS X 10.12+
, 89.2MB free space
Version 8.15(3307) (22 Mar, 2023) Release notes
Nataliia Paraskeva
Nov 9, 2022
There are a few different ways you can stream from Mac to Chromecast and enjoy a whole variety of features. We’re going to look at the best tools for the job. Read on to find out the best third party apps that allow you to stream from Mac to TV.
Chromecast is a system created by Google that allows users to ‘cast’ content to hardware connected to a smart TV, without the need for a HDMI cable. What this basically means is that streaming local videos to Mac or controlling your smart TV from your Google browser, on Mac or Windows, is possible. You can steam from the top platforms, play your own files, or even use it to display photos and presentations. We’re going to look at how to get the most out of Chromecast using your Mac.
There are many ways to stream to Chromecast from Mac, but Elmedia Player is at the top of the list. It allows unprecedented customization, while preserving simplicity and ease of use. MPEG, AVI, FLV, SWF, WMV, MOV, MKV, MP4, M4V - this is just a fraction of the massive list of supported formats, without any need for codecs. All of this ensures that you can make full use of movies and TV on your massive TV straight from your Mac laptop.
When you cast MP4 to Chromecast, it’s useful to have Elmedia Player PRO ($19.95). Not only does this best media player for Mac allow you to stream files and playlists in their initial formats, it will also transcode them in case of any compatibility problems with the target platform (most likely, your TV).
It’s also got a great feature that lets you open videos from major streaming sites, simply by copying and pasting the URL into the player for HD playback. And it works not only with Chromecast, but also Roku, AirPlay and other devices.
Plus, it lets you create a screenshots gallery for easy reference of videos. The additional premium features will create an optimal user experience that you can mold completely to your liking.
Pros
Cons
1. Connect your Chromecast media player to a TV.
2. Download the Elmedia Player and activate the PRO version. Also you can purchase it from the Mac App Store.
3. On your Mac, locate the media track that you want to stream. Open it in Elmedia Player.
4. Click the streaming icon on the Elmedia Player Control Panel and choose a device to create a WiFi connection.
Note: The free version of Elmedia Player allows you to cast MacBook to Chromecast for 5 minutes. If you like what you see, buy Elmedia Player PRO. As a video player Mac users can enjoy, it offers a huge variety of different features and high levels of usability. There’s much more to it than just streaming to Chromecast.
That’s it! Watch and enjoy.
JustStream is a potent widget with complete focus on Chromecast streaming. It’s neat, compact, and it fits on your menu bar to carry out Chromecast stream from Mac actions. No need for complex configuration - everything happens by default, in the background. There are only three things you need to do: choose a file, find your device and enjoy.
Options, options for everything - starting with subtitles, and ending with your screen resolution. Even though JustStream is minimalistic, it’s immensely flexible, and it’s able to fulfill your deepest needs. Video-related needs, that is. How to stream Chromecast from Mac? JustStream is a no-brainer. It’s a complete package without any unnecessary extras. Try it, and you won’t imagine streaming any other way. Your Mac will merge with your TV permanently, as if they were fused with a hydrogen torch.
Streaming to Chromecast from Mac is extremely convenient with JustStream. Here’s what you need to do to easily stream your Mac screen to a TV via Chromecast.
AirBeam TV is a decent third party app that lets you mirror your Mac screen, and Chromecast stream from Mac. It’s an effective app that provides you with the basics, though it doesn’t have a huge amount of advanced features. On the plus side, it’s compatible with a really wide variety of smart TVs, meaning that you should have no problems mirroring. Here’s how to use it to cast to Chromecast from Mac:
Plex is less a tool to Chromecast from PC or Mac, and more an entire multimedia platform. For a paid subscription, you can gain access to everything from Atari games to live TV channels, with a choice of settings and resolution. When it comes to just casting, it’s got plenty of usability, and compatibility with all the main receiver options. All you need to do is follow these steps to use it for casting:
Airflow is a decent way to stream local videos to Chromecast, designed with that single task in mind. It offers a few decent features that make it stand out from the competition. The variety of compatible devices is impressive. It’s also got plenty of options for users to fine tune their playback and audio and video settings. Airflow also offers great subtitle support, with plenty of different options that let you get the exact subs you need. Here is how to stream using Airflow:
Here’s how you can use Chrome’s inbuilt tools to cast to your smart TV:
When using Chrome to cast to Chromecast from Mac, if you are running the latest macOS you’ll be asked to give permission for the browser to access screen recording. If you agree, you’ll be directed to check a permission box in your security and privacy settings. You can then restart Chrome and proceed to your viewing.
If you only want to cast a specific file, you can open a tab in Chrome and use Command (⌘) + O to navigate to the file, and cast via the browser.
FAQ
For ease of use, it’s worth pinning the cast button to your Chrome toolbar. This means that you’re only ever a single click away from a cast from Mac to Chromecast. Here’s how to pin it:
Chromecast is possible from VLC media player as long as you have an updated version. All you need to do is open the app and select the playback option from the top. Choose renderer from the dropdown menu, and select your Chromecast device from the options displayed. You can then use VLC to cast.