this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2024
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Networking

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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) (1 children)

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 (1 children)

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 (1 children)

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.