Many modern Google TVs come with Chromecast. This feature allows you to mirror your phone or tablet’s screen onto your television. One of the hottest streaming apps on today’s market is Plex, which features over 20,000 movies, shows, podcasts, and more.
You basically have two options when watching Plex on Chromecast with Google TV. You can download the Plex app to your phone. You can also download the Plex app to your Google TV, so you can use your phone and watch Plex simultaneously. Continue reading to learn more.
Download the Plex App On Your Phone
To watch Plex on your Google TV, first, download the Plex app on your mobile device. It’s free for download on the Google Play and Apple App Store and is free to use. However, if you want to access offline viewing, shared controls, and other features, you can buy a subscription for $4.99 a month.
Using the Plex App on an iPhone for Chromecast
Using Chromecast with your iPhone is easy. Once you’ve downloaded the Plex app:
- Turn on your Google TV.
- Open the Plex app.
- Swipe diagonally from the top right-hand side.
- Select the Chromecast icon (it’s a TV with waves in the corner).
From here, you can watch your favorite movies and shows on the big screen. Keep in mind that you cannot access other websites while the Plex app is playing. For instance, if you want to check the Twitter app, but you’re watching videos via Plex, the phone will close out and mirror your Twitter account instead.
Using the Plex App on an Android Phone for Chromecast
Using Chromecast on your Android is very similar to using Chromecast on your iPhone. However, you’ll need to download the Google Home app before moving forward. From there, to start watching Plex, follow these steps:
- Select and open the Google Home app.
- Choose the “Account” tab.
- Scroll down.
- Tap “Mirror device.”
- Select your Chromecast device.
- Open the Plex app.
Now, you should be set.
Download the Plex App on Your Google TV
If you don’t want to cast from your phone, you can download the Plex app directly on your Google TV. You can do this by:
- Press the Google icon on your remote.
- Say “Plex” into the remote’s microphone.
- Select “Install” on the page.
Alternatively, if this doesn’t work, you can:
- Navigate to the Google home screen.
- Select “Apps.”
- Find “Plex.”
- Press “Install.”
Although the average Google TV comes with eight gigabytes of memory, you can remove the Plex app at any time.
Connect Your Laptop to Your Google TV
All Google TVs come with HDMI ports. Here, you can plug in your laptop and project its screen onto your TV. You don’t need an app to watch Plex on your computer; you only have to visit https://www.plex.tv/. You might even experience better audio and video quality using your laptop rather than your phone.
To connect your laptop to your Google TV:
- Locate the HDMI port on your Google TV. Chances are, it’s on the side or back of the TV.
- Locate your computer’s HDMI port, which is located on the side. (Remember: not all laptops, like MacBooks, come with standard HDMI ports)
- Connect your laptop and TV with the HDMI cable.
- Select the correct input using your remote control.
You may need to play with your computer’s display settings to get the best possible picture. If you get a blank computer screen on your TV (like a desktop with no icons), drag your browser window to the TV’s screen. You’ll likely have dual screens enabled if this happens.
Final Thoughts
Watching Plex using Chromecast is easy. Simply download the Plex app to your phone and mirror your screen. If you’d rather use the app on your computer, connect your laptop to your Google TV using an HDMI cable.
Plex is massive. It’s more than on-demand movies and shows. You can also:
- Watch live TV
- Listen to Podcasts
- Upload photos and videos
- Join communities with like-minded interests
- Play games, with many from Atari’s library
Plex rolls out new features all the time. So, in the coming months, users may access other services.