Jailbreaking the Chromecast: A Complete Guide

Hey there! Today, I want to share with you an exciting process: jailbreaking the Chromecast. In this guide, I’ll show you how you can unlock the full potential of your Chromecast device. So, let’s dive right in!

First things first, what exactly is jailbreaking? Well, think of it as giving your Chromecast a little boost of freedom. When you jailbreak your device, you’re removing some of the restrictions put in place by the manufacturer, allowing you to expand its capabilities and explore new possibilities.

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Here’s what you need to do to jailbreak your Chromecast:

1. Ensure your Chromecast is properly set up and connected to your TV and Wi-Fi network. Double-check that everything is in order before proceeding.

2. Once your Chromecast is up and running, you’ll need to enable developer mode. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds! Simply open the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet, find your Chromecast device, and go to its settings. There, you’ll find an option to enable developer mode. Follow the prompts, and you’re good to go.

3. Now that developer mode is enabled, it’s time to download some essential tools. You’ll need a computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and the Android SDK installed on it. The Android SDK contains the necessary files and software to interact with your Chromecast and make the magic happen.

4. Connect your computer to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast. This step is crucial for communication between the devices.

5. Launch the Android SDK and open the command prompt or terminal. Here comes the exciting part! You’ll need to enter a few commands to identify and connect to your Chromecast. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it.

6. Once you’re connected, it’s time to get your hands on some custom firmware. Custom firmware is like a supercharged version of the software your Chromecast runs on. It opens up a whole new world of possibilities. There are several options out there, so do some research and find the one that suits you best.

7. Flash the custom firmware onto your Chromecast. This process will replace the original software with the custom one, giving you more control and flexibility over your device. Remember, this step is irreversible, so make sure you’re ready to commit.

8. After flashing the firmware, disconnect your Chromecast from the computer and reconnect it to your TV and Wi-Fi network. You’ll notice some changes immediately. Your Chromecast will now have access to new apps, streaming services, and functionalities that were previously unavailable.

Congratulations, you’ve successfully jailbroken your Chromecast! Enjoy exploring its newfound freedom and tapping into its full potential.

Before I sign off, let me remind you that jailbreaking your Chromecast comes with its risks. It may void your warranty, and there’s always a slight chance of bricking your device if you’re not careful. So, proceed with caution and make sure to follow the instructions carefully.

Now, it’s time for you to take the plunge and unlock the hidden power of your Chromecast. Have fun, and happy streaming!

So, there used to be this app called Terrarium TV that was the go-to for jailbreaking your Google Chromecast. It was the top free video streaming app back in the day. Unfortunately, Terrarium TV got shut down recently because of some legal issues. But don’t worry, there are other alternatives out there for streaming videos on demand. In this article, I’ll talk about two of the best options – Kodi and CRowns Lite (or CRowns VOD Pro).

“Jailbreaking? I don’t want to get in trouble.”

When we talk about “jailbreaking” a Google Chromecast, we’re not actually doing anything illegal. It just means using the device or app to watch pirated content. It’s not like jailbreaking an iPhone to have more freedom with software. Technically, both types of jailbreaking are legal, so no need to worry.

Jailbreaking Google Chromecast

The Google Chromecast is a simple streaming device that connects to your TV’s HDMI port. It lets you watch all your favorite shows and movies from services like Hulu, Netflix, and Crackle. There are two versions of Chromecast – the basic one and the Ultra, which supports 4K and has an ethernet adapter built-in.

Unlike other streaming devices, Chromecast doesn’t have its own on-screen interface. Instead, it relies on your mobile device or Google Chrome browser to “cast” content to your TV. You need an account, paid or free, to access the programming. Chromecast doesn’t provide the content for you.

If you’d rather not pay for the content, that’s where jailbreaking comes in.

Kodi and CRowns Lite

Since Terrarium TV went down, many Chromecast users have turned to Kodi for jailbreaking. Kodi is a free entertainment hub that brings all your digital media into one easy-to-use app. It also allows access to additional video content through add-ons like Kodi TV.

But here’s the catch – you can’t install Kodi directly on your Google Chromecast. The best you can do is cast the content from your computer, smartphone, or tablet to your TV. It’s not a big problem, but just so you know.

CRowns Lite, also known as CRowns VOD Pro, is a similar app to Kodi. It also organizes your digital media collection and lets you play it on multiple devices. The main difference is that CRowns Lite tends to have a bigger selection of high-quality videos compared to Kodi. It filters through all the videos out there and presents only the best ones for streaming.

Both of these apps are considered third-party and must be sideloaded onto your Android device. This means you’ll need to enable the “Unknown Sources” option.

To enable this option:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Find the security option (it might be called “Security” or “Lock & Security”).
3. Turn on the switch (or tap the empty box) next to “Unknown Sources”.
4. When prompted, tap “Yes” (or “Allow”) to confirm.

Now you can download and install the APK for either Kodi or CRowns VOD Pro on your Android device. Kodi also has a Windows version, but if you want to enjoy CRowns Lite on your PC or laptop, you’ll need to download and install an Android emulator. I’ll explain this a bit more later.

To start the jailbreaking process, make sure your Chromecast and casting device are connected to the same WiFi. Download the version of Kodi or CRowns VOD Pro that’s compatible with your casting device’s operating system. It’s better to have all the Kodi add-ons you want to use with Chromecast installed beforehand too.

Casting Kodi or CRowns Lite from an Android Device

If you’re using an Android device, you’ll need to have the Google Home app installed. It’s necessary for controlling your Google Home and Chromecast devices. Here’s how to cast Kodi or CRowns Lite content from your Android device to Chromecast:

Keep in mind that extended use of your Android device for casting can drain the battery quickly. If possible, keep it connected to a power source while casting.

To cast Kodi or CRowns Lite from an Android device:

1. Launch the Google Home app.
2. In the top-left corner, tap the Main Menu icon (three horizontal lines stacked vertically).
3. Select “Cast screen/audio” from the menu. This will open a new screen.
   • The screen will explain the screen mirroring feature of the Google Home app.
4. Tap the blue “Cast Screen/Audio” button to see a list of available devices. Choose your Chromecast from the list.
   • Now you should see everything from your Android device displayed on your TV.
   • If you keep getting disconnected from screencasting, you may need to enable microphone permissions on your device.
   • To enable microphone permissions, go to your device’s Settings > Apps & notifications, then find “Google Play services.” Tap on it and select “Permissions.” Under the “Apps” section, find “Microphone” and toggle the switch to enable it.
5. Open your preferred media streaming app on your Android device.
   • Both apps should go into fullscreen automatically, so unless you need to adjust some settings, you can start enjoying your digital collection.
   • In Kodi, select the add-on you want and start playing your content.
   • If you want to stop casting with Google Home, follow steps 1 to 3 in the same order. Then tap the “Disconnect” button.

Casting Kodi from a PC or Laptop

If you prefer using a computer, you’ll need the latest version of Google Chrome browser to cast content. Here’s how to cast Kodi from your computer’s Google Chrome browser to your Chromecast:

You’ll need to:

1. Open the Google Chrome browser on your computer.
2. Click the Chrome menu icon (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner of the window.
3. Select “Cast” from the menu that appears.
   • A welcome pop-up message will appear, along with the name of your Chromecast device at the bottom.
   • If the name of your device is not shown, it means your Chromecast and computer are not connected to the same WiFi network. Make sure they are before proceeding.
4. Above the Chromecast device name, click on “Cast to.” From the drop-down menu, select “Cast desktop.”
5. Click on your Chromecast device name to open a new window called “Share your screen”.
   • Make sure the “Share audio” option is checked before clicking the “Share” button.
6. After clicking “Share,” your desktop will appear on your TV through Chromecast.
7. Now you can launch the Kodi app and start watching the content on your TV, controlled from your computer.
   • To stop casting, click the “Stop” button in the “Chrome Mirroring: Capturing Desktop” section.

CRowns Lite and The Emulator

CRowns Lite was specifically designed for Android, and so far, the developers haven’t made a stable desktop version for Windows or Mac. To use the app on those platforms, you’ll need to download and install an Android emulator.

An Android emulator is a software that emulates the Android platform on your PC or Mac. It lets you run Android apps but within a computer app. You need this to install the CRowns Lite APK on your computer and cast videos to Chromecast.

The CRowns Lite developers recommend using the Nox App Player as your Android emulator. They claim it’s one of the fastest and most reliable emulators available. You can download it for Windows or Mac from bignox.com.

Once you have the emulator, you can download the CRowns Lite APK and install it on the Nox Player App, just like with an Android device. Just make sure to get the right version of the APK for your operating system.

To install the CRowns Lite APK on the Nox App Player:

1. Launch the Nox Player App and follow the onscreen instructions to set it up as needed.
   • Sign in with a Google ID before installing CRowns Lite.
2. Find the CRowns Lite APK file and drag it into the Nox App Player.
3. The APK will start installing.
   • You may need to click “Install” to begin.
   • The installation process may take a few minutes depending on your computer’s speed.
4. Once CRowns Lite is installed on Nox, you can find the app on the Nox Home Screen.
5. Click the app to launch CRowns Lite from your PC or Mac.

From here, you can also set up Google Home on your Nox App Player. You can search for Google Home directly within the player or download it from a trusted site. Once installed, you can launch it from the home screen and follow the instructions in the “Casting Kodi or CRowns Lite From an Android Device” section above.