Wanting to connect Bluetooth headphones to Google Chromecast? You're not alone. The Google Chromecast is a great piece of technology with features that can turn almost any display into a smart TV with capabilities of streaming movies, songs and even games via Google Stadia.
That said, the Google Chromecast often takes centre stage in shared rooms and the noise it produces can disturb others - an issue more relevant than ever.
Although there are no built-in options to link wireless headphones to the Chromecast, after researching the topic, we have found solutions. Read on below to find out how to listen to your Chromecast through wireless headphones…
Table of Contents
- Buy a Bluetooth transmitter to connect your Google Chromecast to wireless headphones
- How to connect Google Chromecast with wireless headphones using a Bluetooth transmitter
- How to connect wireless headphones to Chromecast with Google TV
- Some other options to try for connecting your Google Chromecast to Bluetooth headphones
- Update: If You Have Chromecast With Google TV
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Buy a Bluetooth transmitter to connect your Google Chromecast to wireless headphones
As Jared Busch explains in this YouTube video, a Bluetooth transmitter can be used to listen to the audio from a Chromecast.
Whether it's Apple AirPods, Samsung Galaxy Buds or something totally different that you want to connect to your Chromecast, this solution should work for any Bluetooth headphones!
The TROND 2-in-1 Bluetooth V5.0 Transmitter is one option for a relatively cheap way to achieve this setup. It features atpX low latency technology, making the audio as smooth and synchronised to the video as possible.
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How to connect Google Chromecast with wireless headphones using a Bluetooth transmitter
How will this actually work, though? Well, first, you'll need to connect your Bluetooth transmitter to the TV via the telly's headphone port using a 3.5mm cable.
Next, plug the transmitter into the power source. Many transmitters can run for extended periods of time using battery alone, whilst others have no battery at all. Either way, if you’re using the transmitter with a TV, there is no harm in leaving it charged for a prolonged amount of time.
Now, turn on the transmitter and pair it with the wireless headphones you wish to listen through. Once paired, Chromecast owners should be able to hear all the audio coming from their TV - Chromecast audio or otherwise.
With this set-up deployed, it should be easy for users to watch Netflix and stream music to their Chromecast disturbing no one else.
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How to connect wireless headphones to Chromecast with Google TV
If you have the latest Chromecast with Google TV device, then you should be able to pair your headphones with the Chromecast pretty easily.
If you open up the Google TV and go to the settings, you should be able to see 'Remote & Accessories'. Here, select the 'Pair remote or accessory' option and turn on your headphones.
You should then see your headphones appear on the TV as an available device. Once you select your headphones, they should connect to the Chromecast!
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Some other options to try for connecting your Google Chromecast to Bluetooth headphones
If you don't fancy buying a Bluetooth transmitter, there is one other, rather limited, option that we found.
An app called LocalCast currently in development gives users the ability to listen to whatever they’re casting through their phone. There are unfortunately a few snags with this technology:
- LocalCast’s new feature is in beta so it doesn’t consistently work.
- The ability to route audio through the phone is only available to Android users.
- Latency issues.
- You can only stream local content from your phone in this way.
The fundamental problem with getting wireless headphones to connect to the Chromecast stems from the fact that the Chromecast lacks the necessary transmitters that devices such as Google Home have.
As one user politely told another in the Google Support forums, it is possible to push audio through a Google Home to Bluetooth headphones, but the Chromecast simply doesn’t have the capability.
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Realistically, using a Bluetooth transmitter like the aforementioned TROND 2-in-1 Bluetooth V5.0 Transmitter appears to be the simplest solution which would result in the best, low latency experience possible.
Update: If You Have Chromecast With Google TV
More recent versions of Google Chromecast (2021 onwards) have Bluetooth built-in, which makes them significantly easier to pair directly with your wireless headphones. To do this:
- Go to your Google TV Home Screen.
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Scroll to Remote & Accessories.
- Select Pair Remote or Accessory.
- Put your Bluetooth Headphones into Pairing Mode.
- When the device appears, select it to connect.
This will allow you to hear any content you are playing through your Chromecast. Do note, though, that if you start watching content on your TV without using your Chromecast, the sound won't come through your headphones.