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Using a chromecast without a google account? (programming.dev)
submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by 0x0@programming.dev to c/networking@programming.dev
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I have a 2nd-gen chromecast, it's factory reset. If i plug it in all it tells me is to install the app to start configuring.

I don't have a google account not do i want to install/use google-related stuff on my phone.

My home router doesn't register any new device, which makes sense since the cast doesn't know the SSID/pass of the WiFi.

Does it try to ping some service/port? Multicast perhaps? Where would it get an IP from without authenticating?

My (wired) PC runs gentoo.

How can i get it to work in these conditions?

Well it's not a network client, it presents its own WiFi network. Got a laptop with a live distro to connect to it and run this script to configure it. Seemed to work, apparently.

Then tried a bunch of clients:

  • VLC will just eternally remain in scanning mode
  • go-chromecast kept throwing errors even with host/port parameters
  • chrome wouldn't find the device (with the laptop connected to the hotspot)

My guess is it needs to phone home to finish setup (the script has wifi name/pass parameters though) or i borked something.

Not gonan waste more time on it, i'll just gift it.

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[-] MimicJar@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

If I recall correctly it sets itself up as a hotspot (no Internet access) and your phone connects to it to set it up. It may use Bluetooth, but that could also be a different version.

AFAIK the Google Home app is required to set it up, but once set up you can remove/uninstall the app.

In terms of being on your network it will broadcast itself as available on your network.

It also does auto-update, so it will expect Internet access. (It also periodically checks for Internet access.)

[-] 0x0@programming.dev 1 points 1 month ago

If I recall correctly it sets itself up as a hotspot

This is what was confusing me, i thought it would connect as a client and couldn't grok the catch-22 of connecting it to a network without knowing its IP.

[-] makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 month ago

I can't even get mine to work WITH an account if I put it on the guest network. That sucker wants full access to snoop on everything. I don't think you'll have much luck, but I'll be watching this thread just in case. Good luck.

[-] MimicJar@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Re guest network, it broadcasts to the current VLAN and I think you need client isolation disabled (this is frequently the default for guest networks).

[-] 0x0@programming.dev 1 points 1 month ago

Maybe, but i'm not gonna bother nor give it my main network.

[-] gopher@programming.dev 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I've had success with this script https://gist.github.com/interfect/5f68381d55658d334e2bc4619d796476

You should be able to connect to the Chromecasts setup hotspot, get the IP of the Chromecast and then run the script.

this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2024
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