Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Replacing an Old First-Generation Chromecast
Updated September 2026: in 2022 I explained why my first-generation Chromecast no longer worked well: it could not install OTT apps and relied entirely on casting, which had become slow. I have rewritten it into a guide to replacing an old casting stick.
I was one of the early Chromecast users and enjoyed casting from my phone and laptop to the TV. Over time the experience soured. The first-generation device could not install streaming apps; everything had to be cast, and that had become slower and less reliable with modern apps and higher-quality video.
Why do old casting sticks struggle?
They were designed for lower-resolution video and older app versions. Google stopped updating the first-generation Chromecast years ago, and newer apps and formats expect more processing power. The result is lag, buffering and casting failures.
Casting only, or a device with apps?
Casting needs a phone for every session and drains its battery during long viewing. A streaming device with its own apps and remote, such as a Google TV device, lets anyone in the family watch without a phone. For most households, having apps on the TV is more convenient.
What are the replacement options?
- Google TV Streamer or a Chromecast with Google TV: apps plus casting.
- Android TV sticks and boxes from reputable brands.
- Apple TV 4K for iPhone households.
- A new smart TV, if the current TV is also ageing.
What should you check before buying?
Your TV's resolution and HDR support, the apps you use, whether your phones are Android or iPhone, and whether you want a remote with voice search.
How do you set up the new device?
Plug it into an HDMI port and power, connect it to Wi-Fi, and sign in with your Google account on a Google TV device, or your Apple Account on an Apple TV. Install your streaming apps, sign in to each, and set up the remote to control the TV's power and volume. The setup takes about fifteen minutes, and afterwards anyone in the family can watch without needing a phone.
Will your old casting habits still work?
Yes. Google TV devices still accept casting from phones and laptops, so the way you used the old Chromecast carries over, with the apps as an extra. Apple TV uses AirPlay instead, which works from iPhones, iPads and Macs.
What should you do with the old Chromecast?
Reset it to factory settings and recycle it through an e-waste collection point.