A must-have service for fans of Disney and the Star Wars franchise, Disney Plus is already making waves in the streaming service industry even though it only launched in November 2019. In fact, at the time of writing our Disney Plus review, it had already amassed 28.6 million subscribers.
This isn’t surprising considering its expansive library of Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars content. And you can use your subscription to watch nostalgic classics like Bambi and The Jungle Book as well as hit originals like The Imagineering Story and The Mandalorian. Check out the full movies and shows list to see what else you can watch on Disney Plus.
On top of all this, Disney Plus works on a wide range of devices – from your desktop browser to your streaming device. Check out our guide to all the Disney Plus supported devices to see the full list. You can even cast Disney Plus from your mobile or tablet to your TV screen for an even better streaming experience.
This post provides you with a detailed guide on how to watch Disney Plus with your Chromecast device.
Is the Disney Plus app available on all Chromecast devices?
Disney Plus works with both the regular Chromecast (all versions) and the Chromecast Ultra. Keep in mind, however, that there’s no dedicated Chromecast Disney Plus app. Since Chromecast is a casting device, you just need to connect it to your TV and then cast Disney Plus from your mobile or tablet. That means you need the Disney Plus app installed on your phone or tablet.
Additionally, you can also cast Disney Plus from your Chrome web browser without having to install the app. The Disney Plus app is available free of cost for Android and iOS devices, but you need to pay for a subscription to access the service. This will set you back $7.99/mo. if you get it as a standalone service.
Alternatively, you can also bundle the service with Hulu and ESPN+ as well. This option costs $13.99/mo., so it makes sense if you’re looking for a comprehensive streaming bundle. Learn more about it in our Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu bundle review.
Before committing to this, you have the option to try out the service for free for 7 days. Keep in mind that the pricing and free trial length remains the same across all devices. Check out our guide to Disney Plus pricing and free trial offers to learn more.
How to download Disney Plus on Chromecast
As mentioned earlier, you won’t find a dedicated Chromecast Disney Plus app since the service streams from your phone or tablet. You’re only using Chromecast to cast what’s on your browser, phone, or tablet and display it on your TV screen. So you either need to access Disney Plus from your Chrome browser or download the app to your Android or iOS device.
For this, find the Disney Plus app on the App Store or the Play Store, depending on which device you use. Install the app on your device and use your Disney Plus credentials to log in. If you don’t have a Disney Plus account yet, you can also sign up for a free trial from the app.
To watch Disney Plus using your Chromecast device, make sure that it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, mobile, or tablet (whichever you plan on using). Open the Disney Plus app on your phone or tablet (or the official site through your Chrome browser).
Choose a movie or show to watch and look for the cast icon on the top right corner of the screen. This is a square icon with three curved lines at the bottom. Tap on this icon to scan for available Chromecast-enabled devices. Select the device you want to cast the stream to and start watching.
When casting Disney Plus to your TV, you get the same straightforward layout as the app or the website, depending on which device you’re using. The interface is easy to navigate and understand, with featured titles at the top and the menu buttons accessible from the left sidebar.
What Chromecast devices does the Disney Plus app support?
The Disney Plus app supports casting to all currently-active Google Chromecast devices from Version 1 and above. That includes the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation Chromecast models as well as the Chromecast Ultra. You can even cast to your Android TV, Google Nest Hub, Google Nest Hub Max, or Vizio Smart TVs that have Chromecast built-in.
And to cast to your Chromecast, you need either an Android or iOS device or a Chrome browser. Keep in mind that the device must meet the Disney Plus minimum system requirements. So you need at least iOS 11.0 on Apple devices and OS 5.0 or later on Android devices. As for your Chrome browser, you need the most updated version to cast to your Chromecast device.
Are there 4K streaming options for Disney Plus on Chromecast?
To watch the 4K titles from the Disney Plus library, you need the Chromecast Ultra and not the regular Chromecast models. The Ultra lets you watch available titles in 4K HDR (High Dynamic Range), so you get vivid picture quality and an extraordinary streaming experience. But you need an external display that also supports 4K to enjoy this experience.
On top of this, the Chromecast Ultra comes with built-in Ethernet support, which gives you a reliable connection that can handle streaming in higher quality. All versions of the regular Chromecast model will let you stream in up to 1080p, which is decent enough for casual viewers.
What else should I know about Disney Plus on Chromecast?
Chromecast generally offers a seamless experience casting Disney Plus. However, some users might face issues with excessive buffering. This could occur due to problems with your internet connectivity, so first, make sure you’re getting the minimum speed requirement. You also need the latest version of the Disney Plus app on your device, so don’t forget to update it before you start casting.
If you’re still experiencing buffering issues in spite of this, try restarting the Disney Plus app on your device. In case this doesn’t fix the problem, try clearing the cache on your app and see if that helps. You could even try removing and reinstalling the Disney Plus app if that still doesn’t solve the issue.
For Chromecast Ultra users who can’t get a 4K stream even when using a 4K TV, make sure that the TV supports High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) 2.2.
If you’re still facing issues with Disney Plus on Chromecast, see if you can find a fix on the service’s support page.
The final cut
Chromecast offers an excellent way to stream Disney Plus from your browser, mobile, or tablet and cast it to a bigger screen. But you can also stream it from other devices and streaming media players such as Roku. Check out our guide to how to watch Disney Plus on Roku to learn more. And if you don’t have Disney Plus already, make sure you sign up for a free trial to see if it meets your streaming needs.