Video conferencing isn’t new, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom became a household name. With a large percentage of the workforce transitioning to “work from home” assignments, Zoom catapulted to the pinnacle of popularity amongst video conferencing applications. With Zoom’s ability to hold up to a hundred people in a meeting, casting a conference to larger screens became the logical next step.

Users can use Chromecast to cast Zoom meetings to just about any device, including a smart TV, which is beneficial for meetings with larger numbers of people.

Below, we’ll cover how you can use Chromecast to cast Zoom meetings on various devices.

How to Cast Zoom with Chromecast

There are three different ways for you to cast your Zoom video conference:

  • Cast from your computer with Google Chrome browser.Cast from your Android device smartphone/tablet.Cast from your iOS device iPhone/iPad.

Since Chromecast is a Google product, casting a Zoom video conference to your smart TV is slightly different with iOS and requires the Google Chrome browser when casting from a PC.

To get started, make sure you have at least one available HDMI port on your TV. Plug in your Google Chromecast and make sure that it is connected to the same internet source as your casting device.

Download the Zoom Cloud Meetings app on either Android or iOS. For iPhones and iPad users, you’ll also need to download the third-party app, Chromecast Streamer. Create an account and log in to Zoom, and you’re ready to go.

Chromecast Zoom with Google Chrome Browser

When you open the Google Chrome browser, select the three vertical dots in the upper right-hand corner. This is the Menu that will bring up a list of different options. Roughly halfway down, select Cast from the list.

This will open up the Cast tab with a drop-down menu labeled, Sources. Select the Sources drop-down menu followed by Cast. From here, select the Share button. Once you are ready to start your Zoom meeting, open the Zoom Cloud Meeting app from the Start menu, and make a call.

You’ll likely notice that the audio source is your PC. If that is an issue, you can connect a Bluetooth device or Aux speakers to your PC for increased sound and communication quality.

Chromecast Zoom with Android

One of the first things you’ll notice—after opening the Zoom Cloud Meeting app—is there is no casting option. The symbol to cast is typically a small rectangle that encloses the three waves that represent Wi-Fi.

Fortunately, Android devices have a mirroring option that you can use as a workaround.

  • Pull down the Notification Panel and locate Screen Cast. Select it, and your Chromecast device should pop up for you to tap.Select your Chromecast device and then open the Zoom Cloud Meeting app.

From here, once you make a call, the video will cast to your TV. As with the PC, the free version of Zoom doesn’t support audio.

Chromecast Zoom With iOS

For iPhone and iPad users, you’ll need to download the third-party app, Chromecast Streamer. Since Zoom doesn’t feature a casting option, the Chromecast Streamer app will allow you to cast a Zoom meeting to your Chromecast device.

  • When you launch the Chromecast Streamer app, you’ll see a casting logo at the top, sandwiched between a settings gear icon and a rocket icon. Select the cast icon.You’ll see a Connect to Chromecast screen with your Chromecast device listed. Select your device and then tap Connect from the pop-up menu.This will bring up a list of options. Tap Screen Cast from the list, followed by Start Mirroring.On the next screen, select Start Broadcasting. Now you can open the Zoom Cloud Meeting app and begin casting to your Chromecast device.

Alternative Audio Options with Zoom and Chromecast

Zoom utilizes the mic from your smartphone, or another casting device, and mono rather than stereo audio. Because of this, the default audio will output from the speaker on your smartphone.

However, using the Zoom app on your PC allows you to change the settings to stereo audio during your Zoom meetings.

How to Change Audio from PC

When you log in to your Zoom account—via PC—select your profile picture in the upper right-hand corner. From here, click on the Audio tab. Scroll down to the Music and Professional Audio section and click on Show in-meeting Option to Turn On Original Sound.

Click on the Stereo Audio check box to enable stereo audio in future Zoom meetings. Unfortunately, this option is only available when you cast from a PC, so you’ll have to use a different method for other devices.

Other Options for Android and iOS Users

Zoom meetings are like phone calls, with the audio output defaulted to your ear speaker, as if you were talking to someone on the phone. You can get around this by switching your audio to speakerphone. Unfortunately, some smartphones have better speakers than others. If the sound is clear, concise, and works for you, then speakerphone is a viable option.

Bluetooth Speakers

If your smartphone isn’t very smart in the speakerphone department, there are other options worth considering. Bluetooth speakers, headphones, or soundbars are especially useful, though you may experience a slight audio lag.

  • Truly wireless headphones are a great choice since they have built-in speakers specifically designed for making phone calls.Using a soundbar is another great option, especially since the audio source will be coming from the direction of the TV. Unless you’re using wireless headphones, however, you’ll have to keep your smartphone or tablet nearby because Zoom still utilizes the mic on your smartphone.

Like any Bluetooth device, simply put your phone in pairing mode and connect the device you want to use during Zoom Video Conference calls.

Note: If you’re using portable Bluetooth speakers, keep in mind that having the speaker near your phone may create an annoying feedback sound, as the volume of the meeting is recycled into the mic on your smartphone.

Final Thoughts

Google’s Chromecast devices are exceptionally well made. It stands to reason that they are capable of casting more than just run-of-the-mill streaming services to your TV.

Chromecast can essentially mirror anything on your phone, tablet, or computer screen to your TV, and is very convenient for casting Zoom meetings, especially conferences with a large number of people. It’s better to communicate with fifty people on a 60-inch TV screen than from something you hold in your hand.

Zoom has exploded in popularity as a side-effect of the Coronavirus Pandemic. With more people working from home than ever before, video conferencing has become a crucial tool for business and marketing communication. It’s also great for freelancers, interviews, and short-time remote work as businesses slowly return to normal.

Thanks to devices like Chromecast, your business meetings and family connections are more convenient and intimate on a larger screen. With businesses across the country choosing to embrace work-from-home options, Chromecast and Zoom will remain popular choices for business and personal meetings.