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The Chromecast with Google TV, released in 2020, is a streaming device that can help turn your 'dumb' screen smart. Featuring a user-friendly interface powered by Google TV and a remote control, it offers access to a wide range of streaming services and apps through the Google Play Store.

But beyond streaming, we've come to appreciate what this device can do for digital signage. When paired with Fugo’s cloud-based CMS, it allows you to easily manage and display content on your screens with pretty good performance.

If you're looking to launch a proof of concept or pilot digital signage project on affordable hardware, we recommend the Chromecast since it's easy to get your hands on and doesn't require much more than having a Google account.

If you want a more professional device with more memory, better CPU capability and device management possibilities, you'll need to invest more into a pro grade player. The Fugo NUC, Chromebox, or BrightSign players are great options.

If you've already set up your Chromecast on your TV and just need to install Fugo, jump down to the next section.

If you're setting up your Chromecast out of the box for the first time, keep reading 👇

We've summarized the setup set up steps you'll need to take below. For full step-by-step instructions, you can check out Google's guide here.

Once you've gotten your Chromecast set up, you'll land on the home screen - now you're ready to add the Fugo app!

Your Chromecast should now be ready to set up Fugo as your digital signage app for managing that screen. You'll do this in two parts:

You'll need your laptop or PC nearby since you'll complete part two from Fugo CMS in your browser.

1. Open the Google Play store from the home screen of your device by clicking Apps.

2. Search for “Fugo Digital Signage Player”

3. Install the app.

4. Click Install to install & launch the Fugo app on your screen.

5. Launching the app will automatically generate a pairing PIN. We’ll cover where to enter this PIN in the next section.

1. Log into Fugo CMS from your laptop or PC browser. Click Create > Screen on the Welcome page.

Alternatively, you can navigate to the Screens page in the top navigation bar and click Create Screens.

2. Enter the PIN from the Fugo player window into the space provided.

3. To finish the pairing process, give your screen a name and add a location if you want to be able to find it on Fugo's map view.

Before you finish the pairing process, you'll be prompted to configure a few settings that will allow the Fugo app to run optimally on your device.

4. First, you’ll be prompted to turn off the energy saver on your display.

By default, Android 11 will automatically turn off your display after 3 hours of inactivity - this will turn Fugo off too. We recommend you disable this.

Press the HOME button on your Chromecast remote.

5. This will exit the Fugo app and take you back to your player’s home screen. Go to your player Settings in the top right corner of the screen.

6. Open System (or Device Preferences).

7. Then Power and energy (or Energy Saver).

8. Set Automatically turn of when inactive (or "turn off display") to Never.

9. Back in Fugo CMS, click Next when you’ve finished this step.

10. Now, you'll be prompted to enable the auto-start permission, which will allow Fugo to automatically start when you boot up your player and be displayed over other apps.

Click Open player settings in the prompt.

11. Fugo will automatically open the player settings on your screen so you can enable this permission.

Use your remote to toggle this permission on for Fugo.

12. Back in Fugo CMS, click Next when you’ve finished this step.

13. And lastly, you’ll be prompted to enable Kiosk Mode for the Fugo app. This will help with the stability of the Fugo app. It will prevent anyone from interfering with the app on screen, and auto-launch Fugo again in the case of a power failure or crash.

Just click Yes on the prompt & we’ll automatically enable Kiosk mode for you.

14. With setup complete, your new screen will now be listed on your Screens page, and you’re ready to push content to it from Fugo.

When you're running the Fugo app on an Android player in Kiosk mode, there is a slight difference in how you close the Fugo app on your device as opposed to other platforms and operating systems.

Rather than hitting the "home" button the way you might with other apps on your player, you'll just need to press the "back" button three times.

With your player all set up, you’re ready to give it something to play!

Fugo allows you to display several types of content:

You can use our Design Studio to create screen-ready content like digital posters & menu boards without having to leave Fugo for a 3rd party tool - learn how here.

When your content is ready to go on screen, you can use our friendly playlist builder to publish your content.

You can learn more about your playlist publishing & scheduling options in our Playlist collection.

Reach out to support@fugo.ai or send us a message in the handy chat box inside Fugo CMS.

Happy publishing!