chromecast-tool

This script allows basic configuration of a Chromecast device without having to use Google Home or any other app.

This has been tested with a 1st generation Chromecast (2013).

How to use it

This is a single shell script that can be run directly. The available commands are:

• connect-wifi: Connect the Chromecast to a Wi-Fi network.
• get-config: Show the current Chromecast settings.
• set-config: Change some of the Chromecast settings.
• get-locales: Get a list of the supported locales.
• get-timezones: Get a list of the supported timezones.

Run chromecast-tool without options for more details.

Dependencies

The following external tools are needed:

• curl
• jq
• openssl (for the connect-wifi command).

Use case: changing a Chromecast's Wi-Fi settings

A Chromecast needs to be connected to the user's Wi-Fi network. If the Wi-Fi settings change or the device is physically moved to a different location then it needs to be reconfigured. This typically requires the Google Home app and it doesn't always work correctly.

This is how to reset a Chromecast using chromecast-tool:

1. Press the button on the Chromecast for about 10 seconds to do a factory reset.
2. Wait for the Chromecast to reboot. It will create a private Wi-Fi network called ChromecastXXXX (where XXXX are 4 random digits).
3. Connect your computer to that Wi-Fi network.
4. Optional: Change the visible name and other options (see also the get-locales and get-timezones commands):

$ chromecast-tool set-config --name MyChromecast \
                             --locale es \
                             --timezone Europe/Madrid \
                             --timeformat 2

5. Connect the Chromecast to your home Wi-Fi network:

$ chromecast-tool connect-wifi --ssid MyNetwork --pass MyPassword

6. The Chromecast's private network disappears and the device is ready to use.