> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/yuliskov/SmartTube/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Casting to Your TV

> Cast videos from your phone or other devices to SmartTube using TV code pairing

SmartTube supports casting from your phone, tablet, or other devices using a TV code pairing system.

## How Casting Works

<Info>
  Unlike the official YouTube app, SmartTube does **not** automatically appear in your casting list. You must manually link devices using a TV code.
</Info>

### Why Manual Pairing?

The official YouTube app uses Google's proprietary casting protocol that automatically discovers devices on the same network. SmartTube:

* Uses YouTube's TV code system instead
* Provides more control over linked devices
* Works without Google Play Services
* Maintains privacy (no automatic network scanning)

**Trade-off:** You need to pair devices once, but then casting works seamlessly.

## Pairing Your Phone and TV

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open SmartTube on Your TV">
    Launch SmartTube on your Android TV and navigate to the **Settings** menu (gear icon).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access Remote Control Settings">
    Select **"Remote control"** (typically the 2nd option in the settings menu).

    A **TV code** will be displayed on your screen. Keep this screen open.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open YouTube on Your Phone">
    On your smartphone or tablet, open the official **YouTube app** (or YouTube in a web browser).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to YouTube Settings">
    In the YouTube app:

    * Tap your **profile picture** in the top right
    * Go to **Settings**
    * Select **General**
    * Tap **"Watch on TV"**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the TV Code">
    * Tap **"Connect using TV code"** (sometimes called "Link with TV code")
    * Enter the code displayed on your TV screen
    * Tap **"Connect"** or **"Link"**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirmation">
    Your phone and TV are now linked! The TV will appear as a casting destination in your YouTube app.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  See the [screenshot guide](https://t.me/SmartTubeEN/8514) for visual step-by-step instructions.
</Tip>

## Casting Videos

Once paired, casting is simple:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Ensure SmartTube is Open">
    **Important:** SmartTube must be already running on your TV. It cannot automatically wake up the TV.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the Cast Icon">
    Open a video in the YouTube app on your phone. Look for the **cast icon** (rectangle with WiFi waves) at the top of the screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your TV">
    Tap the cast icon and select your SmartTube device from the list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Video Plays on TV">
    The video will start playing on your TV through SmartTube. You can control playback from your phone.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Compatible Apps

You can cast to SmartTube from:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Official YouTube App" icon="youtube">
    The standard YouTube app for iOS and Android works perfectly with SmartTube's casting feature.
  </Card>

  <Card title="YouTube Website" icon="browser">
    Cast from YouTube in your web browser (desktop or mobile) using the cast button.
  </Card>

  <Card title="YouTube Music" icon="music">
    YouTube Music app supports casting to SmartTube for music videos and audio.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Third-Party Apps" icon="mobile">
    Apps like **ReVanced** or **NewPipe** that support YouTube's cast protocol should work.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Casting Controls

When casting to SmartTube, you can control:

* **Play/Pause** - Start and stop playback
* **Seek** - Jump to different parts of the video
* **Volume** - Adjust volume (if supported by your setup)
* **Queue** - Add videos to the queue
* **Next/Previous** - Skip between queued videos

<Note>
  Your phone acts as a remote control while casting. The video plays on the TV, but you control it from your phone.
</Note>

## Limitations

<Warning>
  SmartTube's casting has some technical limitations to be aware of:
</Warning>

### Must Open App First

**SmartTube cannot automatically wake up your TV or launch itself when you try to cast.**

This is a technical limitation due to SmartTube not using Google's proprietary casting protocol.

**Workaround:**

1. Turn on your TV
2. Open SmartTube
3. Then cast from your phone

### Performance May Vary

<Note>
  Casting and voice search performance may be inferior to official apps, depending on your device.
</Note>

Factors affecting casting performance:

* Your WiFi network quality
* TV device processing power
* Network congestion
* Distance from router

**Tips for better performance:**

* Use 5GHz WiFi instead of 2.4GHz when possible
* Keep your router close to the TV
* Reduce network congestion (pause other downloads)
* Ensure both phone and TV are on the same network

### Cannot Discover Automatically

Unlike the official app, SmartTube won't automatically appear when you open the cast menu. You must pair devices first using the TV code method described above.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="TV doesn't appear in casting list">
    **Solutions:**

    1. Ensure you've completed the TV code pairing process
    2. Verify both devices are on the **same WiFi network**
    3. Make sure SmartTube is **currently open** on your TV
    4. Try restarting both the TV app and phone app
    5. Re-pair using a new TV code
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="TV code pairing fails">
    **Try these steps:**

    1. Double-check you entered the code correctly
    2. Ensure the code hasn't expired (generate a new one)
    3. Check your internet connection on both devices
    4. Update SmartTube to the latest version
    5. Update the YouTube app on your phone
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Casting disconnects frequently">
    **Possible causes and solutions:**

    * **WiFi issues**: Move closer to router or use 5GHz band
    * **Network congestion**: Pause other devices using bandwidth
    * **TV going to sleep**: Adjust TV sleep settings
    * **SmartTube closing**: Prevent your TV from force-closing background apps
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Video quality is poor when casting">
    **Quality optimization:**

    1. Check your WiFi speed (use [fast.com](https://fast.com))
    2. Switch to 5GHz WiFi if available
    3. Reduce casting quality in YouTube app settings
    4. Move router closer to TV
    5. Reduce the number of devices on your network
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can't control playback from phone">
    **Troubleshooting:**

    1. Ensure the cast connection is still active (check cast icon)
    2. Restart the YouTube app on your phone
    3. Check if SmartTube is still running on TV
    4. Disconnect and reconnect the cast
    5. Re-pair devices if issues persist
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Managing Linked Devices

### Viewing Linked Devices

To see which devices are linked to your SmartTube:

1. Open SmartTube Settings
2. Go to "Remote control"
3. View the list of linked devices

### Unlinking Devices

To remove a device from casting:

1. In SmartTube Settings > Remote control
2. Select the device you want to unlink
3. Choose "Remove" or "Unlink"

<Tip>
  You can also unlink devices from your phone's YouTube app in Settings > General > Watch on TV.
</Tip>

## Multiple TVs

You can link your phone to multiple SmartTube installations:

1. **Pair each TV separately** using its unique TV code
2. **Choose which TV** to cast to from the cast menu on your phone
3. **Switch between TVs** by selecting a different device in the cast menu

<Note>
  Each TV running SmartTube will appear as a separate device in your casting list once paired.
</Note>

## Casting Queue

Build a playlist while casting:

1. **Cast the first video** as normal
2. **Find additional videos** in your YouTube app
3. **Tap the cast icon** on those videos
4. Select **"Add to queue"** instead of playing immediately
5. **Videos play sequentially** on your TV

<Tip>
  This is perfect for creating a viewing session without returning to your phone constantly!
</Tip>

## Privacy Considerations

<Info>
  SmartTube's casting uses YouTube's official pairing system with your Google account.
</Info>

**What's shared:**

* Your Google account links the phone and TV
* YouTube knows which videos you're casting
* Standard YouTube data collection applies

**What's NOT shared:**

* SmartTube doesn't add additional tracking
* No extra data beyond standard YouTube casting
* Local network scanning is not performed

## Alternatives to Casting

If casting doesn't work well for you:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Use TV Remote" icon="remote">
    Search and browse directly on SmartTube using your TV remote - no phone needed.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Voice Search (with Bridge)" icon="microphone">
    Install a bridge app to enable voice search directly on your TV. See the installation guide.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bluetooth Keyboard" icon="keyboard">
    Connect a Bluetooth keyboard to your TV for easier searching and navigation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="USB Keyboard" icon="usb">
    Use a wired USB keyboard for the most reliable text input on your TV.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why can't SmartTube auto-launch when I cast?">
    Auto-launching requires integration with Google's proprietary casting protocol, which is not available to third-party apps without Google Play Services. SmartTube uses YouTube's TV code system instead, which doesn't support auto-launch.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I cast from iOS devices?">
    Yes! The TV code pairing method works with the YouTube app on iPhones and iPads. Follow the same steps as Android.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need to re-pair every time?">
    No, once paired, devices remain linked until you manually unlink them. You only need to pair once per device.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can multiple phones cast to one TV?">
    Yes, you can pair multiple phones to the same SmartTube installation. Each phone can cast independently.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does casting work without internet?">
    No, casting requires an internet connection to stream videos from YouTube's servers. Both devices must be online and on the same network.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  For the best experience, ensure both your phone and TV have strong WiFi signals and are using the latest versions of their respective apps.
</Tip>