Got an old Chromecast sitting in a drawer unused? It doesn't matter if you no longer need it for streaming, there are plenty of other ways to make use of it. So connect it to your TV, update the software, and try one of these ideas to repurpose your old Chromecast.
Turn your TV into a digital photo frame (or a virtual fireplace)
One of the simplest uses of an old Chromecast is to turn your TV into a digital photo frame. You wouldn't necessarily want to use it all the time, but it's perfect for parties and family get-togethers.
To do it, simply load up Google Photos on your phone, open an album or folder, and then tap the Chromecast icon at the top of the screen to connect. Now, tap the three-dot menu button and select "Slideshow," and it'll cycle through all the images in the album.
When you aren't projecting photos, there are other ways you can make use of your TV, like using it as a virtual fireplace. Load up the YouTube app and search for "fireplace," then cast it. You'll get a beautiful high definition fireplace scene, crackling sounds and all. It's perfect to warm up the room on a cold winter's day. Just try to find a video that won't interrupt you with ads!
Use your TV as a big screen monitor for your phone
Although many Android 16 phones have some desktop functionality built in, if you don't have it, you can get a version of it using your phone and your Chromecast. Most phones have a Cast option in the Quick Settings panel. Tap this, connect to the Chromecast, and then select "Cast entire screen."
Your whole screen will now bemirrored on the TV, and you canuse it like a little PC. Switch to landscape mode, open a writing app, connect a keyboard, and you've got a tiny portable word processor. Or open the web browser for a full-screen browsing experience. Lag means that it's better for static content rather than gaming; otherwise, your options are almost unlimited.
Turn your soundbar into a music player
Many of us have soundbars under our TVs that produce great quality audio while watching movies and shows. But the soundbar doesn't have to be redundant when your TV is switched off. If yours has an HDMI port, you can connect your Chromecast to it and turn your soundbar into a powerful music and podcast player.
A lot of music apps like Spotify support Chromecast, so you can send your audio to your TV sound system really easily. As do many podcast apps, including my favorite, Pocket Casts. It's a great way to get more use out of your soundbar rather than simply keeping it as a TV accessory.
Use it for presentations
Back when the Chromecast was at its peak, it found a place in offices as a presentation device. You can still use it like that. Keep it in your bag, and when you're in the office, you can connect it to any screen with an HDMI port, and you're good to go.
The Google Slides mobile app has a Chromecast icon on both Android and iPhone that makes it a cinch to get started. If you're working on a laptop, Chrome has the "Cast" option under the View menu. Other Chromium-based browsers like Brave and Edge have casting built in, too.
Create a retro gaming console
One of my favorite uses of an old Chromecast is to turn it into a classic retro gaming machine. You can't do this with every device; it needs to be a fourth-generation model with Google TV support.
If you've got one of those, you can sideload the emulatorRetroArch and then set up countless legendary consoles and access their huge libraries of games. According to theXDA guide, you'll get the best results with older consoles that have simpler graphics. It might struggle with things like the N64 or PSP.
Turn your TV into a live dashboard
Another way to make your TV useful when you aren't actually watching it is to turn it into a live dashboard.DAKboard is a great service that can handle this. Sign up for free using your Google account, and you can build a dashboard containing widgets that show weather, news via an RSS feed, your calendar, your to-do list, and more.
All you need to do then is cast the display either directly from your browser or by using the handycastDeck tool.
Use it for home security
Finally, you can integrate your Chromecast into your home security system. Google's Nest doorbells and cameras work with some later Chromecasts, and you can stream the live video footage to a TV anywhere in your home.
Some othersmart doorbells and security cameras can also work with Google Home, which means they may also work with your Chromecast. However, not all offer the live video stream.
Chromecasts might not be so useful as streaming devices anymore, but they're still a great way to get other devices to display stuff on your TV. So rather than let its capabilities go to waste, make use of those spare HDMI andUSB ports on your TV and give your Chromecast another lease of life.
