Whether you can connect a Chromecast to Wi-Fi without the Google Home app depends on which model you have. A Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer has its own on-screen menu, so you can switch networks with the remote: go to Settings > Network & Internet and pick the new network. The older, remote-free Chromecast (3rd gen and earlier, Chromecast Ultra, and Chromecast Audio) has no menu of its own, so it needs the Google Home app on a phone or tablet. If you don’t have a phone handy, you can borrow one or use a tablet.
Which Chromecast do you have?
| Model | How to tell | Change Wi-Fi without Google Home? |
|---|---|---|
| Chromecast with Google TV (HD or 4K) | Comes with a remote and shows the Google TV home screen | Yes, with the remote |
| Google TV Streamer | Small box that sits next to the TV, with a remote | Yes, with the remote |
| Chromecast (3rd gen or earlier), Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast Audio | No remote; shows a “Ready to cast” screen | No. You need the Google Home app. |
Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer: change Wi-Fi with the remote
- On the Google TV home screen, select your profile picture in the top-right corner, then choose Settings.
- Select Network & Internet.
- Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on, then choose your new network from the list.
- Enter the Wi-Fi password with the on-screen keyboard and select Connect.
To stop it from reconnecting to your old network, select the old network in the same list and choose Forget network.
Lost the remote? The Google TV app on your phone includes a remote. If you have neither, you’ll need a replacement remote or a factory reset to set it up again.
Classic Chromecast: change Wi-Fi with the Google Home app
If the Chromecast can still connect to its old network:
- Connect your phone or tablet to the same Wi-Fi network as the Chromecast, and sign in to the Google Home app with the same Google Account.
- Tap the Chromecast, then tap Settings.
- Tap Device information > Wi-Fi > Forget.
- Go back to the Home app’s main screen, tap Add (the plus sign) > Device, and follow the steps to set up the Chromecast on your new network.
If the old network is gone, like after a move or a new router, you’ll need to factory reset the Chromecast first.
How to factory reset a Chromecast
- Leave the Chromecast plugged into the TV and power.
- Press and hold the button on the side or back of the Chromecast for about 25 seconds, until the light starts blinking and the TV screen goes blank.
- Let go. The Chromecast restarts and shows a setup screen.
- Open the Google Home app, tap Add > Device, and set it up on your new network.
On a Chromecast with Google TV, you can reset from Settings > System > About > Factory reset, or hold the button on the back until the light blinks yellow and then turns solid white.
Options if you don’t have the Google Home app
- Use any phone or tablet. The Google Home app is free for Android, iPhone, and iPad. A family member’s device works, and you can sign in with your own account.
- Use your phone’s hotspot if you’re traveling. Set the hotspot to the same name and password as your home network, and a classic Chromecast may connect to it without any changes.
- Upgrade. Google stopped making the classic Chromecast in 2024. A Google TV Streamer or other streaming stick with a remote is easier to move between networks.
Hotel and dorm networks with a sign-in page don’t work with classic Chromecasts, because there’s no browser to accept the terms. A Chromecast with Google TV can sometimes get past them, but not always.
Chromecast won’t connect to Wi-Fi? Try these fixes
- Move the router closer or use the HDMI extender that came with your Chromecast.
- Use the right power source. Plug the Chromecast into its wall adapter instead of the TV’s USB port.
- Try the 2.4 GHz band. Older Chromecasts connect more reliably on 2.4 GHz, especially at a distance.
- Turn off VPNs and AP isolation on your phone and router. Your phone and the Chromecast need to see each other on the network.
- Restart everything. Unplug the Chromecast and router for a minute, then plug them back in.
- Update the Google Home app and your phone’s operating system.
Related: Connect a Chromecast to Wi-Fi with the Google Home app.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Chromecast without Wi-Fi at all?
Not really. Casting needs a network that your phone and the Chromecast share. Guest mode on classic Chromecasts was discontinued. A phone hotspot can work in a pinch, but it uses your mobile data.
Do I need the Google Home app to set up a Chromecast with Google TV?
Google recommends it, but you can finish setup on the TV with the remote. Changing Wi-Fi afterward doesn’t require the app.
Will changing Wi-Fi delete my apps or settings?
No. Switching networks keeps everything. A factory reset erases apps, accounts, and settings.
Why doesn’t my Chromecast show up in the Google Home app?
Your phone and Chromecast are probably on different networks, or your phone is using a VPN. Connect both to the same Wi-Fi and try again.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.