SmartTube supports casting from your phone, tablet, or other devices using a TV code pairing system.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.
How Casting Works
Unlike the official YouTube app, SmartTube does not automatically appear in your casting list. You must manually link devices using a TV code.
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)
Pairing Your Phone and TV
Open SmartTube on Your TV
Launch SmartTube on your Android TV and navigate to the Settings menu (gear icon).
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.
Open YouTube on Your Phone
On your smartphone or tablet, open the official YouTube app (or YouTube in a web browser).
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”
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”
Casting Videos
Once paired, casting is simple:Ensure SmartTube is Open
Important: SmartTube must be already running on your TV. It cannot automatically wake up the TV.
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.
Compatible Apps
You can cast to SmartTube from:Official YouTube App
The standard YouTube app for iOS and Android works perfectly with SmartTube’s casting feature.
YouTube Website
Cast from YouTube in your web browser (desktop or mobile) using the cast button.
YouTube Music
YouTube Music app supports casting to SmartTube for music videos and audio.
Third-Party Apps
Apps like ReVanced or NewPipe that support YouTube’s cast protocol should work.
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
Your phone acts as a remote control while casting. The video plays on the TV, but you control it from your phone.
Limitations
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:- Turn on your TV
- Open SmartTube
- Then cast from your phone
Performance May Vary
Casting and voice search performance may be inferior to official apps, depending on your device.
- Your WiFi network quality
- TV device processing power
- Network congestion
- Distance from router
- 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
TV doesn't appear in casting list
TV doesn't appear in casting list
Solutions:
- Ensure you’ve completed the TV code pairing process
- Verify both devices are on the same WiFi network
- Make sure SmartTube is currently open on your TV
- Try restarting both the TV app and phone app
- Re-pair using a new TV code
TV code pairing fails
TV code pairing fails
Try these steps:
- Double-check you entered the code correctly
- Ensure the code hasn’t expired (generate a new one)
- Check your internet connection on both devices
- Update SmartTube to the latest version
- Update the YouTube app on your phone
Casting disconnects frequently
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
Video quality is poor when casting
Video quality is poor when casting
Quality optimization:
- Check your WiFi speed (use fast.com)
- Switch to 5GHz WiFi if available
- Reduce casting quality in YouTube app settings
- Move router closer to TV
- Reduce the number of devices on your network
Can't control playback from phone
Can't control playback from phone
Troubleshooting:
- Ensure the cast connection is still active (check cast icon)
- Restart the YouTube app on your phone
- Check if SmartTube is still running on TV
- Disconnect and reconnect the cast
- Re-pair devices if issues persist
Managing Linked Devices
Viewing Linked Devices
To see which devices are linked to your SmartTube:- Open SmartTube Settings
- Go to “Remote control”
- View the list of linked devices
Unlinking Devices
To remove a device from casting:- In SmartTube Settings > Remote control
- Select the device you want to unlink
- Choose “Remove” or “Unlink”
Multiple TVs
You can link your phone to multiple SmartTube installations:- Pair each TV separately using its unique TV code
- Choose which TV to cast to from the cast menu on your phone
- Switch between TVs by selecting a different device in the cast menu
Each TV running SmartTube will appear as a separate device in your casting list once paired.
Casting Queue
Build a playlist while casting:- Cast the first video as normal
- Find additional videos in your YouTube app
- Tap the cast icon on those videos
- Select “Add to queue” instead of playing immediately
- Videos play sequentially on your TV
Privacy Considerations
SmartTube’s casting uses YouTube’s official pairing system with your Google account.
- Your Google account links the phone and TV
- YouTube knows which videos you’re casting
- Standard YouTube data collection applies
- 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:Use TV Remote
Search and browse directly on SmartTube using your TV remote - no phone needed.
Voice Search (with Bridge)
Install a bridge app to enable voice search directly on your TV. See the installation guide.
Bluetooth Keyboard
Connect a Bluetooth keyboard to your TV for easier searching and navigation.
USB Keyboard
Use a wired USB keyboard for the most reliable text input on your TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't SmartTube auto-launch when I cast?
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.
Can I cast from iOS devices?
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.
Do I need to re-pair every time?
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.
Can multiple phones cast to one TV?
Can multiple phones cast to one TV?
Yes, you can pair multiple phones to the same SmartTube installation. Each phone can cast independently.
Does casting work without internet?
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.