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How to turn your old Android phone into a handy Chromecast remote

Published May 22nd, 2015 8:00PM EDT
Moto G Chromecast Remote Android Smartphones
Image: imgur

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Attention Chromecast users: Your Chromecast experience can significantly be improved by turning one of your older Android devices into a dedicated Chromecast remote, as one Android fan has discovered.

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After purchasing a $19.99 Moto G from Best Buy, Reddit user Laschoni turned into a single-purpose Chromecast remote. You don’t need a Moto G, either — any old Android device you might have around the house could be turned into your own customized Chromecast remote.

In addition to downloading various apps that have Chromecast streaming support, the Android user installed Nova Launcher to remove bloatware from the home screen, turned off syncing features (including Hangouts and Gmail) and used AppLocker to lock apps preloaded onto the phone. Finally, using apps like Lux and Gravity Screen allowed him to “better manage in a dark environment and give [it] a smart remote feel.”

Laschoni further said that getting rid of phone activation is fairly easy and the Moto G he uses is on airplane mode with Wi-Fi still turned on.

Obviously, this isn’t a perfect Chromecast remote project, as any Android device can be customized in similar ways using various apps available in the Play Store. But it goes to show that old devices you might not want to use might have a second life around the house.

The full thread on this Chromecast remote project is available at the source link, while more details about Best Buy’s $19.99 Moto G deal are available at this link.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.