Chromecast - casting from iPad without using data?

[Helen Ariel]

Hi,

We’re currently in Portugal and trying to limit our (post-Brexit) data usage by casting from iPad to a Chromecast. Tried it last night and it was still using quite a bit of data.

Any ideas on how to cast on a local network without using data? I did switch off the data roaming on my MiFi router but it stopped playing the programme shortly afterwards.

I’ve got loads of Netflix downloaded to my iPad and just want to cast it to the TV.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Guigsy]

When you Chromecast something, all you are doing is telling the Chromecast box on the back of the TV the address of where to stream the video from across the internet. It isn't just mirroring what's on your phone/tablet, it's downloading a new copy for itself.

It is possible to get it to stream data from a local source, but it's not really what they were designed to do. I think you need to run a media server like Plex, and then they only work for files without copy protection (no not Netflix).

Hopefully someone will correct me, but the bottom line is that I don't think it's possible... Sorry.

 

[kevenh]

Hmm! You need to have a wifi router for local traffic that is isolated from the mobile data based Mifi. Easy to write.

With all the Mifi I’m familiar with, the traffic is all directed via mobile data - even if it’s one local device to another local device.

I got caught out with that data path in the early days of WiFi in the Motorhome. I used to have iPad to iPhone picture sync enabled but that started going via mobile data rather than local wifi

 

[Millcourt]

Probably (same as us) you will find that the simplest, easiest and most reliable way is to buy an Apple Lightening Port to HDMI Adaptor (or USB C to HDMI, depending on your iPad model) and connect to your TV using an HDMI cable. If you decide to do this, advise that you buy a genuine Apple adaptor and not a third party product. We tried a cheaper alternative….. a waste of money!

 

[slowdriver]

I hesitate to call it old school but if the target screen has a usb slot is it not possible to us the Ipad's
Thunderbolt / USB 4 port, Lightning, USB‑C or Smart Connector if necessary via an adapter. Or is that me demonstrating my technical incompetence?

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[slowdriver]

A moment too late I see with that question

 

[Helen Ariel]

Thanks, I’m also going to try to mirror the iPad rather than casting it, failing that I’ll buy the Apple cable.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Mrjenben]

I have tried to do the same thing without much success. You might find even a genuine Apple cable now won’t work for copy protected content like Netflix. They seem to have implemented a change to their software to block video as it used to work

 

[63720]

AFAIK the Chromecast needs Google Home to function correctly and this needs data.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

I may be being stupid here - in which case feel free to ignore or mock! - but given you're in Portugal so can buy very cheap PAYG data sims (Neo, etc) would it not be an option to get a domestic sim to use? I know it wouldn't work with iPlayer (without using a VPN) but not sure if it would with Netflix?

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