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Here’s What’s Chromecast & Steps to Configure VPN Onto It

Developed by Google, Chromecast is the small media streaming device that helps users watch online video, music, and other web-based streaming services. If you don’t have smartTV and don’t want to miss out on streaming services, then this device can help bring web-based streaming services right into your home’s big screen. It’s one of the lightweight devices offered by Google, which allows turning your HDTV into Smart TV. It helps you stream content from mostly all the device right to your TV.

Though, it does have one drawback. If you’re interested in watching region-restricted streaming services with Chromecast, it won’t be allowed. For instance, the content you can access in Europe, including a wide array of shows, music won’t be accessible, and it will be different from the streaming services offered in the United States. Fortunately, there’s one solution VPN, which can be helpful.

Can I Use Chromecast With VPN?

VPN alone cannot be used with Chromecast, as presently, the device doesn’t support VPNs, nor it has any configurable network settings. But Chromecast does need a Wi-Fi connection along with devices like Android, iPad, or your laptop paired with Chromecast to be used as a remote switch between channels.

How to Setup a VPN for Chromecast?

If you’ve VPN supported routers, below are the two ways:

  • Directly set up the VPN on the physical router.
  • Using your Mac or PC, create a virtual router.
From the above two, the first method may sound easier, but which method to adopt depends upon the router you have and the VPN you’re using and your technical experience.
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How to Set Up a VPN on Physical Router and Connect With Chromecast?

  • First, find out what type of router you’re using because all the VPNs are not the same. If you’re not sure about it, search the internet, as instructions are readily available online.
  • Go with the VPN, which is compatible with the router.
  • Find the instructions, follow them, and set up the VPN on the router. Once setup is completed successfully, devices connected with that router, including Chromecast, will stay secure, and all the data sent from it will remain encrypted.
  • Now, connect to the server of your choice. For example, the USA and open your Chromecast app.
  • Finally, follow the on-screen instructions and get access to regional-restricted streamed content and other services.

How to Setup VPN on Chromecast via Virtual Router?

If your router isn’t compatible with your chosen VPN or else setup is too complicated, no need to worry. You have an option to set up a virtual router VPN connection to your Mac or PC. But, before you begin the process, first, you’ve to sign up for a VPN and download their VPN software onto your device.

Once you’ve downloaded and installed the VPN software, connect to your desired server, and follow the given instructions.

How to Setup a Virtual Router via PC?

  • Open search bar on your PC by typing Windows + S.
  • Type cmd. Now, select and right-click Command Prompt and Run as administrator.
  • Once it opens, type the following: netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=NETWORKNAME key=PASSWORD
  • After that, set the following values for naming your virtual router:
    – ssid=[choose a name for your network]
    – key=[choose a password for your network]
  • Hit Enter.
  • If everything has went correctly, below message must be displayed:
    – The hosted network mode has been set to allow.
    – The SSID of the hosted network has been successfully changed.
    – The user key passphrase of the hosted network has been successfully changed.
  • Once the above message gets displayed, type the below command:
    netsh wlan start hostednetwork
  • Hit Enter.
  • It must display the message: “The hosted network started.”
  • Now, from the bottom right corner of your screen right-click the Wi-Fi icon and go to Open Network and Sharing Center.
  • Select and click Change adapter settings.
  • Now, go to Properties by right-clicking the VPN connection, and select Sharing tab and then,
    Check the box next to,
    – “Allow Other Network User to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.”
    – “Allow other network users to control or disable the shared Internet connection.”
  • Select the connection you created from the Home Network Connection and click OK.
  • Turn on the Chromecast application and follow the instructions given on the screen.
  • Once you reach the screen stating, “Connect Chromecast to your wi-fi,” select the virtual router, which you created.
  • Enter the password for the virtual router you created and click Set Network.
  • Finally, you’re connected with the VPN-enabled virtual router.

How to Setup a Virtual Router via Mac?

On your MAC, select the System Preference and click on Sharing.

From the left side panel, in the Sharing menu, select the option Internet Sharing. You’ll find the Internet Sharing option appear on the right-side screen. Now, follow below-mentioned settings:

  • Share the L2TP VPN connection you just created.
  • Now, check the box for Wi-Fi, from the computer you’re using.
Now, enter the below details once you select your Wi-Fi options:
  • Name of the network: [select a network name].
  • Keep Channel as default.
  • In Security, select WPA2 Personal.
  • Give the password of your choice.
  • Re-enter and verify the password you chose.
  • Click OK.
  • From the Sharing menu, click the checkbox of the option Internet Sharing.
  • Now, click Start
  • Once the Internet Sharing option gets activated, a green light will be displayed next to the:
  • Internet Sharing: On.
  • Now, turn on your Chromecast app and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Once you reach the screen displaying, “Connect Chromecast to your wi-fi,” select the virtual router set up by you.
  • Enter the password and click the option Set Network.
  • Finally, you’re connected to your VPN-enabled virtual router, which you can use to connect your Chromecast device to stream a wider range of streamed content.

Best VPNs for Chromecast

Now, once you set up a VPN for Chromecast using the above instructions, all you’ve to do is select the right VPN for yourself. Below are best VPNs, which can be beneficial and used with the routers.

  • NordVPN
  • ExpressVPN
  • PureVPN
  • SurfShark VPN
  • IvacyVPN

1. NordVPN

Founded in 2012, NordVPN is one of the VPN providers located out of 14-Eyes countries and free from data retention laws. It comes with the best exclusive safety measures, such as Double VPN.

Moreover, NordVPN also helps protect your device from spyware, malware, and other malicious software. If you’re looking for the best VPN for Chromecast, NordVPN is one of the helpful VPN, on which you can count on.

Moreover, other features that make this VPN giant interesting are like 1800+ servers in the U.S.A. with 5K+ globally, substantial 2048-bit A.E.S. encryption standard supported with popular VPN protocols like L2TP/IPSec, OpenVPN, PPTP, double encryption, strict no-log policy, P2P servers for Torrenting. Compatibility with Android, iOS, Android T.V., Firefox, Windows, Chrome, and much more.

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  • 5200+ servers in 62 countries
  • Use up to 6 devices
  • Next-generation Encryption
  • Double VPN Feature
  • Strict no-logs policy

If you want to know whether it fits your budget or would like to know more about its customer support service or have any other query, we suggest going through the NordVPN review written over here.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (Express VPN International Ltd.) is a globally known British Virgin Islands-based VPN provider free from 5/9/14 Eyes jurisdiction. Being a strong supporter of internet freedom and privacy advocate, ExpressVPN comes with excellent features and superb customer service.

Features of this biggest giant of the VPN industry are like 3K+ servers in more than 94 countries, P2P servers for torrent users, ability to unlock popular geo-restricted streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Sling T.V., D.A.Z.N., B.B.C. iPlayer.

Simultaneous VPN connection for up to three different devices from a single account. Highly accepted and used VPN protocols OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec. Split tunneling, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, strict zero log policy, and much more.

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  • 160 server locations
  • Network Lock kill switch
  • Zero-knowledge DNS
  • VPN split tunneling
  • Stream Sports online

If you still have a query or would like to know further, we suggest going through ExpressVPN review written over here to guide you through all the queries you’ve.

3. PureVPN

PureVPN is one of the budget-friendly VPN providers offering 2000+ servers for torrenting, streaming, security in 140+ countries, and more than 180 locations and 3 million users worldwide.

It comes with all the essential features supported by all popular devices such as Mac, Windows, iOS, or Linux, making it easier and more flexible to deal with.

Other than that, some of the features offered by PureVPN are like 2K+ servers in more than 140 countries, DNS/No I.P. leaks, Web R.T.C. leak protection, P2P servers for torrenting, It’s multilingual, so if you don’t know English, you can switch to your native language.

Also, it offers extensions for popular web browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

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  • 6500+ Secure Servers
  • 3 Million+ Satisfied Users
  • 10-Multi Logins
  • One-click Software
  • 31-Day Refund Policy
  • 24/7 Customer Support

Also, you have access to the PureVPN review written by our VPNStore experts. So, if you’ve got a query or want to know further about it, you can read and get an idea.

4. Surfshark VPN

Recently founded in 2018, Surfshark VPN is one of the newly established VPN providers from the British Virgin Islands free from the 5-Eyes intelligence alliance. It’s one of the new VPN providers with a massive list of features in a small price range. SurfShark offers the standard and easy to use Windows app with the left rail navigation option.

An exciting feature that makes it stand in the competition despite being new in the market are like AES-256-GCM encryption to protect your data. DNS/IP leak protection, browser extensions for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, strict zero log policy, unlimited bandwidth. IKEv2/IPsec default encryption protocol, NoBorders mode for bypassing geo-restrictions of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, B.B.C. iPlayer, and much more.

You can also go through this Surfshark VPN review written by our VPNStore experts, which will help you decide whether to go with this VPN solution

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  • Connect unlimited Devices
  • AES-256-GCM encryption
  • IP & DNS leak protection
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • Free Browser Extensions
  • Strict no-logs policy

5. IvacyVPN

Headquartered in Singapore, Ivacy VPN is the expertise of the VPN industry with 10+ years of experience. It’s a budget-oriented VPN with appealing features.

It offers 100+ servers in more than 100 locations, along with PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and S.S.T.P. protocols.

Furthermore, some of the exciting features that make Ivacy VPN quite popular among privacy enthusiasts include unlimited bandwidth, strict zero log policy, dedicated I.P. address, substantial AES-256 bit encryption standard, and so on.

If you still have questions, we suggest going through the Ivacy VPN review, written by our experts, to help you gain a better understanding of whether to go with this VPN provider or look for any other.

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  • 3500+ Servers in 100+ Locations
  • 10 Devices Simultaneous Logins
  • Unlimited Bandwidth
  • Malware Protection
  • P2P Support

Summary

So here you have it: it includes the steps on how to set up a VPN for your Chromecast device. Though it’s not that straightforward as Chromecast doesn’t have any configurable network settings nor it supports VPNs, but it can be achieved indirectly by installing the VPN on a physical router or virtual router. Also, we’ve mentioned some of the top VPN providers who are suitable for installing on routers that can further be used for connecting the Chromecast device.