Google's streaming ecosystem is one of the most popular ways to watch media. Whether you have a new Chromecast with Google TV or an older dongle that you cast to from your phone, getting Jellyfin running is simple.
Overview
There are two completely different ways to use Jellyfin with Google hardware: installing the native app directly onto the device (if it has a remote), or using your smartphone to "cast" the video to the screen.
Using the Google TV App (Recommended)
If your device has a remote control and an on-screen interface (like the "Chromecast with Google TV", Nvidia Shield, or a Sony Smart TV), you should install the native Android TV app. It supports direct 4K playback and surround sound much better than casting.
On your Google TV home screen, navigate to the Apps tab.
Select the Search for apps bar.
Type in "Jellyfin" or use the voice assistant on your remote.
Select the app named Jellyfin for Android TV and click Install.
Open the app. When prompted for a server address, enter http://localnode.local:8096.
💡 Tip: If the Android TV app stutters during high bitrate playback, go into the app settings (gear icon) and change the video player from "ExoPlayer" to "libVLC".
Casting to a standard Chromecast
If you have an older Chromecast dongle (the ones without a remote), you must use your smartphone or computer as the controller.
Ensure your smartphone and your Chromecast are connected to the exact same Wi-Fi network.
Open the Jellyfin mobile app on your iPhone or Android device.
Look in the top right corner of the app for the standard Cast icon (a rectangle with Wi-Fi waves).
Tap the icon and select your Chromecast from the list.
Find the movie or show you want to watch and press Play. The video will appear on your TV, and your phone will turn into a remote control.
Troubleshooting Cast Issues
Casting can sometimes be finicky due to network security settings.
Icon missing: If the Cast icon does not appear in your Jellyfin app, it means your phone cannot see the Chromecast on the network. Make sure your phone's Wi-Fi isn't accidentally turned off, and ensure your router isn't running "Client Isolation" which blocks devices from seeing each other.
App connects but video won't play: The Chromecast is a very basic device and only supports a few video formats (mostly H.264 MP4). If you try to cast a complex format, your LocalNode must transcode it. If your transcoding isn't set up correctly, the cast will fail. Verify your hardware transcoding settings.
⚠️ Warning: You cannot cast from the Jellyfin iOS app if your server is using an insecure HTTP connection and you are trying to cast to an HTTPS Chromecast. Since LocalNode operates entirely locally via HTTP by default, older Chromecasts work perfectly, but newer models may throw security warnings unless you set up HTTPS via Nginx Proxy Manager.
