r/Chromecast

▲ 65 r/Chromecast+16 crossposts

Hey everyone.

Wanted to put together a solid overview of the app in one place since a lot of people ask about specific features and it is not always obvious where to find them. I also want to make sure people know this app runs properly on Android TV, Amazon FireOS, and Fire Stick devices, because that tends to get overlooked. More on that below.

Android TV, Amazon FireOS and Fire Stick
This is worth calling out properly because it is something UFM Pro does that most file managers simply do not. The TV version is not a phone app stretched to fit a big screen. It has been built specifically for TV environments with full D-pad navigation throughout. Every screen, every menu, every interaction is designed to be used with a remote control. No touch required, no awkward zoomed in phone UI, no broken focus states.

Install via the Downloader app using code: 1581139 for Amazon Devices, I am in the process to have it on the official Amazon Store.

If you have ever installed a file manager on your Fire Stick or Android TV box and ended up with a cramped phone layout that barely works with a remote, UFM Pro is a completely different experience.

Menus are laid out for 10 foot viewing distances, navigation flows naturally with the D-pad, and nothing requires you to dig through a UI that was never meant for a remote control.

TV specific features include dedicated pairing screens for device to device connections, separate auth flows for Google Drive and OneDrive that work without a phone style browser, Shizuku support for TV, and custom cache limit settings suited to TV hardware.

The file server also works great on TV, meaning you can run an FTP or SFTP server from your Fire Stick and pull files from it on your PC over your local network.

File browsing and navigation
The main file browser supports dual pane mode through TwinWindow, which opens two folders side by side. Useful for moving files between locations without copying and then navigating separately. Available on both phone and TV.

Storage analysis
The storage analyzer gives you a breakdown of where your space is going. It finds large files, duplicates, junk, old files, and shows folder sizes. The duplicate finder works well, just go through the safety confirmation before bulk deleting anything as it is there to flag files that could be riskier to remove.

Encrypted vault
The vault uses AES-256 encryption. Pick a folder, set it up, and from then on those files are only accessible through the vault browser inside the app. There is no credential recovery by design so keep your details somewhere safe.

Network shares and cloud storage
Local network shares over SMB, FTP, and SFTP are all supported. For cloud you can connect Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, and S3 compatible storage. The S3 setup lets you point the app at any S3 compatible endpoint, not just AWS. TV users get dedicated auth flows for Google Drive and OneDrive that do not require a standard browser.

Built in file server
You can run an FTP or SFTP server directly from your device, including from a Fire Stick or Android TV box. Start it from the server host screen, connect from your PC with any FTP client, and it stays running as a foreground service even when the screen is off. No cables needed.

Sync
Sync profiles let you keep two locations in sync on a schedule. Works across local storage and network locations, so keeping a folder mirrored to a NAS is straightforward. The scheduler runs it in the background without any manual input.

Media viewers
Images, video, audio, PDFs, text files, and ZIP and 7ZIP archives all open natively. There is an enhanced media player with a custom interface for video and audio. APNG animated images are supported too.

App management
Browse installed apps and install APK, XAPK, and APKS files through the built in package installer. The storage analyzer also includes debloat suggestions for identifying apps you may not need.

Shizuku support
Shizuku gives the app broader file access without full root. Works on both mobile and TV with separate setup screens for each. Once running, the app can reach parts of the filesystem that are otherwise restricted.

Remote management
Pair devices over WiFi for remote file management. ADB pairing is also supported. Once paired you get a full remote file interface over your local network. TV has its own dedicated pairing screen.

Search and indexing
Search runs off a background file index. Configure what gets indexed in settings under storage indexer. Once built, search is fast and supports filters. If results seem incomplete, check the index detail screen to see if indexing is still in progress.

Home screen widget
A bookmark widget lets you jump straight to your most used folders from the home screen. Set up your favorites in settings and they appear there automatically.

Bluetooth remote, your phone as a TV remote
This one surprises people. UFM Pro can turn your phone into a Bluetooth remote for your Android TV or Fire Stick, and it works across the entire TV, not just inside the app. Once connected, you can navigate the TV interface, control volume, and handle power from your phone. It is a proper system level remote, so you can use it in Netflix, YouTube, your TV launcher, wherever.

This is not a companion app gimmick. If you have ever lost your Fire Stick remote down the back of the couch you will immediately understand why having this built into a file manager app you already have installed is genuinely useful. Open UFM Pro on your phone, connect over Bluetooth, and you are controlling your TV.

🔗 Download: Google Play Store

If you have questions or something is not working as expected, post with as much detail as you can about your device, OS version, and what you were doing. The more context the easier it is to help.

The tip jar is in the supporter loyalty screen if you want to support development. Thanks for being here.

Thank You and Kind Regards

u/GoRo2023 — 2 days ago

Paired Chromecast's remote with Xiaomi TV Stick 4k - can't setup IR buttons

I had a Xiaomi stick laying around and didn't intend to switch until recent CC updates which made it crazy slow. Unfortunately Xiaomi Stick despite being more responsive has a terrible remote so I paired Chromecast's remote with it.
The problem now is that it seems that IR setup can only be made on Chromecast? The volume still works, but it's on device volume not TV volume. I'd prefer to change it to TV through IR if possible. INPUT button doesn't work at all so so far I just remapped it to open Settings for me.

Is there an APK maybe that I could download for the remote setup process from original Chromecast with Google TV?

reddit.com
u/czokopaka — 1 day ago

Chromecast no longer recognized by Google Home

UPDATE-- Side loaded an APK of a May version of the Home app. Everything is working as it should now. 👍

‐‐--‐------------------------------------------------

I have been a user since the beginning.

Updated my home internet...and therefore reset my chromecasts.

Google home asks for QR code. 😑 I managed to find one by going to the Chromecast SSID network on my phone.

Google didnt recognize the QR

Ok...connect a different way. Select the device. Not recognized. But i can SEE it on my network. And my husband's older version of Google Home recognizes it....

Am I screwed?

u/Puzzled-Ad-5450 — 3 days ago

Chrome/smart cast

Hello,

I recently bought a 77” Samsung S85F OLED (2025) Ai smart Tizen TV and for the life of me I cannot get smart/chrome cast to work, now I’m no Jeff Bezo’s but I’m pretty tech savvy and I’ve tried a few different trouble shooting methods non in which seems to be working, I know for a fact that this TV has this feature because there’s an actual setting for it that tells me my tv is ready to cast and to search for “77 OLED” on my smart phone, but no luck finding it when I’m ready to cast from my streaming apps on my phone, the latest software is installed on my TV, and my WiFi does allow me to smart/chrome cast because the TV in my bedroom appears on my list with no issues.

I’ve tried factory resetting, using different smart phones, and I cannot seem to solve this issue.

I know there are alternative ways such as purchasing a chrome cast dongle and just utilizing the streaming apps on the TV, but I just enjoy the chrome/smart cast so much more

If someone can please shed some tips I would really appreciate it, it has been driving me crazy for days.

Thanks

reddit.com
u/Obvious_Ad4209 — 2 days ago

Chromecast keeps disconnecting my remote

This has been going on for a week now. I want to turn my TV on with the chromecast remote, it does not respond at all, I press the pairing buttons, an LED lights up. Clearly the remote works fine. I turn on the TV with its own remote and when I open the devices chromecast -should- be connected to, I can see my chromecast remote, it just says "Disconnected". There isn't even an option to connect to it from the devices menu. Only "Forget" and "Rename". And when I try to pair it again, it keeps saying "Pairing" and then eventually it says "Can't pair"...

However when I unplug the chromecast from the adapter and plug it back in, I can pair the remote again and it works fine like nothing's wrong and the remote's battery level is indicated as "good". Aaaaand the whole thing starts again, when I turn my TV off with the chromecast remote, I can't turn it back on afterwards.

I did a factory reset to both the TV and chromecast. I have updated my TV software, Chromecast is up to date, Bluetooth seems to be updated with the TV software. I tried to remove the batteries and replaced them with new ones, nothing seems to be working. Frankly I'm losing my mind over this. Has anyone else had the same issue?

reddit.com
u/MrEst0nia — 3 days ago

Chromecast HD w/ Google TV remote control keeps disconnecting - Possible solution

Desinstalar atualizações, limpar dados e desativar o aplicativo Android TV Remote Services e limpar os dados do app Bluetooth aparentemente solucionaram o problema. Ainda em teste...

Chromecast HD com Google TV

Yago Santos, Brasil - 02/07/2026

EDIT: Aparentemente funcionou, mas percebi que desativar este aplicativo faz você perder a função de microfone para o controle do Google Assistant.
​

reddit.com
u/Maleficent-Bed-7197 — 4 days ago

Cant disconnect YouTube

After stopping my video when I unlock my phone, YouTube says it’s connected to my Chromecast when it clearly isn’t (I can even connect other services) And the app won’t let me disconnect. So the only way I can play a video is to uninstall the app and reinstall it. I would love some help because it’s actually driving me insane

reddit.com
u/Cute-Acanthisitta-46 — 4 days ago
▲ 12 r/Chromecast+3 crossposts

Cast PDF documents directly from your phone to your TV or any Google Cast device without the awkwardness of screen mirroring.

Check it out here.

u/drunkaccountname — 4 days ago

Can not cast from my tablet anymore!

I have Chromecast for years now, and use it daily on my Phone, all good. Recently I bought a tablet an used a few times Chromecast, all ok. Now for a few weeks I can't cast from my tablet, it's simply not working.

The message says there is no connection. What is going on?

u/Johannus101 — 4 days ago

Connectivity issues

So my chromecast connects to wifi just fine, but it keeps disconnecting every time. Signal strenght excellent. Viewing not so much. Any clue what might be happening?

reddit.com
u/JennyHailey — 4 days ago

My parents chromecast finally died what can I replace it with

So my parents have been using chrome casts on there tv for ages it was simple and easy to teach them how it works. Today I find out one of there’s finally started to give out. It would randomly loose WiFi and they would have to unplug and replug it in. So I starting looking online only to find out google disconnects the product. So yall what can I get then that is simple enough for them to just use. I need something that a simple scroll throwing your phone for the YouTube vid or show on Netflix and hit a button in the corner. Anything more sophisticated and I will prob never be able to guild them on how to use and set it up from the other side of the state 😭. Plz yall are there any off brand device that are good or anything

reddit.com
u/Mt5505 — 6 days ago

Google Home refuses to find my device

I did a factory reset on my Chromecast because it was disconnecting my device and not letting me use apps I was able to use in the morning. I tried every Chromecast option available on the Google Home "Add device" screen. I turned it off and on again. My phone detects the device and I can find it in my WiFi settings, but the Google Home app is acting like it doesn't exist.

reddit.com
u/aRedYoyoCalledRoman — 6 days ago

Refusing to acknowledge my WiFi

I'm not sure that the title is accurate - but I have no clue why what is happening is happening. My Chromecast (2018) was absolutely fine earlier - but now won't acknowledge my WiFi, even though when I look on the device information, it has my WiFi listed. I first tried switching the Chromecast off and on again a few times - and have now done a factory reset twice. It all goes well, until the end (including when it connects to the internet) when it shows the message in the picture. I've tried all the troubleshooting things in my Home app, but none of it has been helpful. Everything else connected to my WiFi is working perfectly - including all my other Google devices. Is this just a case of needing to buy a new one - or am I missing something?! Any help or advice gratefully received!

u/Bexx_Star — 6 days ago

I can only cast from YouTube to TV

I have a Google Chromecast 4k and For the past year or so i have not been able to cast from any website to my google TV except Youtube.

Yes, all my devices and Chromecast are on the same WIFI.

Yes, I factory resetted my google tv.

I can cast my entire browser to my TV but if I click the cast symbol on a video it won't cast to the TV. All I get is this(picture above).

I need a solution.

u/TuneKat — 6 days ago

can’t connect, feel like i’m losing my mind

i recently switched wifi and now my chromecast can’t seem to connect to my laptop. previously my chromecast was working fine and could cast from most tabs on my browser but since upgrading, my chromecast no longer can be found by my laptop. i assumed this was a wifi issue but the chromecast still works fine casting from tablets and my phone on the new wifi. furthermore, on the google home web browser i can see my chromecast but when i actually go to go cast it says no devices found. i have restarted my laptop, chromecast and wifi several times. Please can somebody help me. (yes i called my chromecast ‘evil villain lair tv’.

u/alaska_bkwrds — 6 days ago