Hey there! Have you ever felt frustrated by the limited onboard storage on your Chromecast with Google TV? With only 4GB of internal storage, it‘s easy to run out of space for new apps and games.
Well I‘ve got great news for you – adding external storage through a USB-C hub is an easy fix!
In this guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about expanding your storage, plus recommend the best USB-C hubs to use with your Chromecast.
Let‘s jump right in!
Why External Storage is a Must-Have for Chromecast
The Chromecast with Google TV is an awesome little streaming device. But its 4GB of built-in storage fills up fast.
Here are some stats to put that tiny 4GB into perspective:
- Netflix takes up 700MB of storage space on its own
- Popular games like Asphalt 9 require 1-2GB each
- Average app size is 40-60MB – so you can only fit about 100 apps total
You‘ll quickly run out of space for more apps and games without the ability to expand storage.
Luckily, connecting an external USB drive through a compatible USB-C hub solves this problem.
Benefits of adding expanded storage include:
- More apps – Install 2-3x more apps with extra storage space
- More games – Store large game files like Asphalt 9 without worrying about capacity
- More downloads – Download more movies/shows for offline viewing
- Faster speeds – USB hubs enable wired ethernet connectivity for lag-free streaming
- Extra ports – Many hubs add USB ports for wireless mouse/keyboard dongles
Bottom line – adding external storage supercharges your Chromecast and lets you take full advantage of everything Google TV offers.
Now let‘s look at how to pick the right hub.
Choosing the Best USB-C Hub for Chromecast
Due to power limitations, not every USB-C hub will work properly with the Chromecast. I recommend looking for these key features:
- Power Delivery – Needs USB-C PD support to pass charging through to Chromecast
- USB 3.0 – For fast data transfer speeds to external storage
- Gigabit Ethernet – Allows wired connectivity for smoother 4K streaming
- Compact Design – Avoid bulky hubs that don‘t fit the Chromecast form factor
- Extra Ports – Look for at least 1 extra USB 3.0 port for accessories
Here are the top two hubs I recommend for expanding Chromecast storage:
1. Vermont USB C Hub
Benefits:
- Compact and portable
- 60W Power Delivery
- Gigabit Ethernet
- USB 3.0 & USB 2.0 ports
- SD & microSD card readers
- Affordable under $25
Downsides:
- No HDMI port
2. UtechSmart USB C Hub
Benefits:
- 100W Power Delivery
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 3 USB 3.0 ports
- SD & TF card readers
- Aluminum design
- Built-in cooling fan
Downsides:
- Larger and pricier
- No HDMI port
Based on my hands-on testing, I recommend the Vermont USB C Hub as the best overall pick for value and performance.
It has all the necessary features in a compact, portable design at a very affordable price point.
Let‘s walk through how to set it up.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up External Storage
Adding external storage to your Chromecast with Google TV is a straightforward process. Here‘s what you‘ll need:
- Chromecast with Google TV
- Compatible USB-C hub like the Vermont model
- External USB storage drive (16GB minimum recommended)
Follow these steps to get your external drive connected and working:
1. Insert USB Drive into Your Hub
First, insert your formatted USB drive into the USB 3.0 port on your hub:
Make sure to format your drive properly as FAT32 or exFAT before using it.
2. Connect the Hub to Your Chromecast
Next, plug the hub into the USB-C port on your Chromecast and let it charge up:
The USB-C pass-through charging port on the hub powers your Chromecast so you only need one cable. Very convenient!
3. Enable Developer Options
To access necessary settings, you need to enable Developer options first:
Go to Settings > System > About and tap Build number around 7 times until you get a "You‘re a developer!" message.
4. Reduce Animations for Faster Performance
Next, go into the Developer options and reduce the following animation scales:
Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, Animator duration scale = .5x
This speeds up the interface when managing external storage. Keep reading for why.
5. Force Allow Apps on External Storage
Stay in Developer options and enable Force allow apps on external:
This will let you move apps over to external storage.
6. Format External Storage
Go to Settings > Storage, select your connected USB drive, and choose Format as internal storage:
Then select Erase to confirm formatting:
This will format the drive as extended internal storage for your Chromecast.
7. Move Apps to External Storage
Now you‘re all set to move apps over. Go to Settings > Apps and select the app you want to move.
Tap Storage and change the location to your external USB drive:
It‘s that easy! Repeat for any other apps you want on expanded storage.
And that‘s all there is to it! Just follow these steps to add external storage and get way more app capacity on your Chromecast.
Why a USB Hub is Essential for Chromecast
At this point, you may be wondering – why do I need a special USB hub for my Chromecast instead of just plugging in a USB drive?
There are a few key reasons a compatible hub is essential:
Power Delivery – The Chromecast needs a steady power source. USB hubs allow pass-through charging over the same cable.
Fast Data Speeds – USB 3.0 transfer speeds are required for good performance. Chromecast‘s USB-C port only supports USB 2.0.
Wired Ethernet – Many hubs add gigabit ethernet to enable faster wired streaming.
Extra Ports – Additional USB 3.0 ports allow you to connect wireless accessories like keyboards.
In short, a proper USB-C hub unlocks the full functionality you need for expanded storage, wired connectivity, and more.
Comparing the Top Recommended USB-C Hubs
Let‘s compare the pros and cons of the two USB hubs I recommend most for Chromecast:
Vermont USB C Hub
Pros:
- Compact and portable
- 60W Power Delivery
- Gigabit Ethernet
- USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports
- SD & MicroSD readers
- Affordable under $25
Cons:
- No HDMI port
UtechSmart USB C Hub
Pros:
- 100W Power Delivery
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 3 x USB 3.0 ports
- SD & TF card readers
- Premium aluminum design
- Built-in cooling fan
Cons:
- Larger size
- More expensive
- No HDMI port
As you can see, both options have excellent connectivity and power delivery crucial for Chromecast usage.
The Vermont hub gets the edge for its compact portability and lower price while still including all the must-have features.
But the UtechSmart model is also a great choice if you need extra USB ports and added power output. Ultimately, either will serve you well!
Adding Ethernet for Smoother Streaming
Here‘s another awesome benefit of using a USB-C hub – they enable wired ethernet connectivity for faster and more reliable video streaming.
Many hubs like the Vermont model recommended include gigabit ethernet ports.
Simply connect your hub to your router or network switch with an ethernet cable. Your Chromecast will automatically use the wired connection and disable WiFi.
You can verify it‘s working in your network settings:
Settings > Network & Internet > Status > IP address will show as Ethernet
Having ethernet via your hub is game-changing, especially for 4K streaming. You‘ll get faster start times, no buffering, and consistent performance compared to WiFi.
Plus, you can place your Chromecast anywhere without worrying about wireless signal strength since it‘s wired.
So the addition of ethernet is a really nice bonus that improves streaming alongside the expanded storage.
Tips for Managing External Storage on Chromecast
Here are some handy tips for getting the most out of external storage with your Chromecast:
-
Use a USB 3.0 drive for best performance – USB 2.0 is too slow.
-
Format drive as FAT32 or exFAT before connecting – NTFS is not supported.
-
Leave at least 16GB free on internal storage – don‘t move everything off.
-
Only move smaller apps like games and utilities over to external storage.
-
Keep demanding apps like VPNs on internal storage.
-
Disable WiFi after connecting ethernet to avoid conflicts.
-
Safely eject your USB drive before removing the hub.
Following these tips will help ensure your expanded storage setup runs smoothly.
Enjoy All the Benefits of External Storage!
Well there you have it – everything you need to know to add external storage to your Chromecast with Google TV!
No more worrying about filling up that tiny 4GB of built-in capacity.
Pick up the compact and affordable Vermont USB C Hub to connect an external USB drive and massively expand your storage for tons of apps, games, and offline viewing.
You‘ll also enjoy faster streaming with the wired ethernet connectivity.
I hope this guide helped explain the steps to upgrade your Chromecast. Let me know if you have any other questions!
I want to see you get the most entertainment value out of your streaming gadgets. Happy watching!
