Everybody has guilty pleasures.
Admit it.
Me? I like watching early 2000s chick flicks when I need a laugh.
I just hope that nobody looks through my Chromecast history…
Wait, can they?
Thankfully, I know the answer to that question.
Let me share it with you.
Keep reading to discover:
- How to hide your activity on Chromecast.
- 5 surprising facts about Chromecast and its casting history.
- Should you be worried about people using Chromecast to spy.
- The only reason why Google saves and looks into your casting activity.
- And so much more…
Does Chromecast save casting history?
Chromecast doesn’t save casting history unless you’re submitting a crash report. Software crashes need context to figure out the problem. That’s why Google only looks into your casting history when there’s a crash.
5 facts about Chromecast and casting history
#1: Nobody can see your history
There’s one fact you need to know above all about Chromecast and its casting history:
Nobody can see it.
In fact, there’s no menu available for you to even see it.
Why is this?
You see, Google cares a lot about your privacy.
They understand what you’re watching is between you and your TV alone.
However, the device you’re casting from may still store your history.
So, if you need to see the casting history of your Chromecast…
You should check the other device first.
#2: Only Google can see your casting history
Remember when I said nobody could see your casting history? There’s one exception to that rule.
Google can still see your casting history…
But only when you submitted a crash report.
After all, Google can’t repair your Chromecast without knowing what you did before.
So, they collect the following to diagnose your issue:
- Crash logs.
- Casting data.
- Apps and domains you visited before the crash.
- Number and type of media cast to the Chromecast.
However, beyond that…
There’s truly no other way for anyone else to see your casting history.
#3: Other people can see what you’re currently casting
I meant it when I said nobody could see your casting history…
However, that doesn’t mean that nobody can see what you’re currently watching.
In fact, every device connected to the Chromecast can see when someone’s using it.
Not only that, but Chromecast also notifies them of what’s currently being cast on your TV.
Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to disable it entirely.
However, you can disable some aspects of it. How?
First things first…
Disable the notifications so no one in your home knows when you’re using Chromecast. This is how you can do that:
- Open the Google Home app on your phone. (Available on Android and iOS).
- Pair your TV with the phone.
- Go to Devices.
- Long press the tile that corresponds to your TV.
- Once a dropdown menu pops up, select Settings.
- Head to Recognition & Sharing.
- Set “Let Others Control Your Cast Media” to Off.
Once you’ve completed that, your Chromecast will stop sending notifications…
But everyone who checks their Google Home app can still see your current activity.
Luckily, there’s a way around that…
You’ll just need to use your laptop or PC instead of any other device.
Got yours? Now, proceed to:
- Open the Google Chrome app.
This is what you’ll be using to cast using Chromecast from now on. Next…
- Press the More (three vertical dots) button on the upper-right side of the browser.
- Select the Cast option.
- Now, tap Cast Your Entire Screen.
It’s important that you don’t select “Cast This Tab” or “Cast This App.”
This method ensures that Chromecast won’t show your activity to your nosy siblings.
#4: Some Chromecast apps can store your history
Now, Chromecast may not be able to store your history…
But some of its apps can.
You see, Chromecast isn’t that much different from smart TVs.
Apps like YouTube and Netflix can still keep a record of your activity through cache.
Now, cached data is information stored on your device about your watching patterns.
For example, what did you watch last week? How long did you watch it?
Streaming apps keep track of these so they’d know what shows to recommend to you.
For others, that might seem like a godsend. For some, a nightmare.
So, if you’re interested in clearing your cache, follow these instructions:
- Go to your Home screen.
- Press your profile picture.
- Head to the Settings menu.
- Under the System tab, select Storage.
- Tap Internal Shared Storage.
- Under Cached Data, press Clear Cache.
- Select OK to confirm.
To learn more about clearing your Chromecast’s cache…
Check out this video:
#5: Your Google account can track your watch activity
Are you using Chromecast with Google TV?
If so, you’re most likely using a Google account with it.
As it turns out, even if you can’t see your casting history…
You can still take a peek at your watching history on the same account.
Just go to this website to check yours out.
Now, what if you don’t want a record of your watching activity?
Simple. To delete your watch history, just grab a PC and then:
- Open any web browser.
- Go to the Activity website I linked earlier in this section.
- Look for “Play Movies, Google TV, or Android TV.”
- Press the More button.
- Select Delete.
Furthermore, you can also factory reset your entire Chromecast for safety.
This is how you can do that for all Chromecast devices:
Chromecast 1st Gen
- Power your Chromecast by plugging it into a power source.
- Hold the Power button of your Chromecast for a couple of seconds.
- Once the red flashing turns solid white, release the button.
Chromecast 2nd Gen, 3rd Gen, and Ultra
With a smartphone
- On your TV, switch to your Chromecast input.
- Open the Google Home app on your phone.
- Long press the tile corresponding to your TV.
- Once a dropdown menu appears, tap Settings.
- Head to More.
- Choose Factory Reset.
From the device itself
- Power your Chromecast by plugging it into a power source.
- Hold the Power button of your Chromecast for a couple of seconds.
- Once the orange blinking turns solid white, release the button.
Chromecast with Google TV
With the remote
- On your TV, switch to your Chromecast input.
- Tap your profile picture on the upper right side of the screen.
- Head to the Settings menu.
- Go to the System section.
- Select About.
- Press the Factory Reset option.
From the device itself
- Power your Chromecast by plugging it into a power source.
- Hold the Power button of your Chromecast for a couple of seconds.
- Once the yellow blinking turns solid white, release the button.
How do I find Chromecast history?
There’s no way to find your Chromecast casting history…
But you can see your watch history using Chromecast with Google TV.
How?
First, sign in to your Google account on a laptop or PC.
And then open this website to see your watch history.
Can you hide what you cast on Chromecast?
Yes. You can hide what you’re casting on a Chromecast.
To learn how, return to the section in this article titled:
“#3: Other people can see what you’re currently casting.”
You can also hide your casting activity by using the Incognito Mode on Google Chrome to cast.
Alternatively, some browsers let you rename your Chromecast activity.
The one I trust the most? Amaze browser.
When you’re using Chromecast with Amaze, it’ll let you pick your activity name first.
A handy tool if you want more privacy in your life.
You may also be interested in: How To Make a Chromecast Private?
Can Chromecast be used to spy?
Chromecast can be used to spy.
How so?
Let’s start with your home.
You see, Chromecast is automatically enabled on all devices with the Google Home app.
That means it’s just a piece of cake to find out what you’re watching on Chromecast.
All everyone needs to do is open their Google Home app and select the Chromecast device.
Google will display your activity there.
Now, on a much grander scale…
Although there haven’t been reports of it, someone can use Chromecast to spy on you.
How do I know?
In 2019, a teenage hacker managed to hack more than 65000 Chromecast devices to play a video.
And that’s just one person. Imagine what would happen if a lot more hackers decided to hack Chromecast devices.