Google Chromecast Guest mode feature: Availability
It is important to note that this feature wasn’t included for all Chromecast devices. This feature was available only for Cast-powered devices which includes the first, second Ultra, and third-generation Chromecasts. However, this feature wasn’t available for the newer Chromecast with Google TV devices.
Google Chromecast Guest mode feature: How it worked
While visiting someone’s home, this feature allows users to Cast from their phone to a screen without having to get on their Wi-Fi network. Visitors only had to enter a 4-digit PIN shown on the screen saver to Cast their phones on the screen.
The technology behind this feature made the “Chromecast [emit] a special Wi-Fi and Bluetooth beacon.” This beacon could be detectable by guest phones which showed the Cast icon in apps even if they were on cellular or the guest Wi-Fi network.
Moreover, entering the PIN manually was also the backup method to connect guest phones to a screen. With this feature enabled, Chromecasts tried to automatically transfer the PIN via “short, inaudible audio tones” (or ultrasonic pairing). This code would also reset every 24 hours.
Google removes Chromecast Guest mode feature
Google has removed this feature in recent months. The company has updated a support document that confirms “Guest mode is no longer supported”. This document also mentions that the only way for guests to “cast content from their Android or iOS devices [is] by connecting to the host’s Wi-Fi network.”
Apart from this, the company is also removing the “Guest mode” option from system Settings with version 23.33 of Google Play services. This option allowed “Google Cast to scan your network to discover nearby Cast-enabled devices.”
According to a report by 9to5Google, the option to enable this feature is also gone from Chromecast settings in the Google Home app.
Google removing Chromecast Guest Mode Feature: What it means for users - Times of India
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