You've probably been there. You want to dance, the living room is clear, but you don't own a Switch or a PlayStation. So you see that little Chromecast icon in the Just Dance Now app and think, "Perfect, this is going to be easy."
Then the lag hits. Or the "failed to connect" message pops up for the tenth time.
Honestly, playing Just Dance Now on Chromecast is one of those things that sounds like a dream but can quickly turn into a tech support nightmare if you don't know the specific quirks of the setup. It’s a brilliant way to turn any TV into a dance floor without spending $500 on hardware, yet it remains one of the most complained-about features in the Ubisoft forums.
I’ve spent way too much time troubleshooting this specific setup. Let’s get into what actually makes it work—and why it sometimes refuses to cooperate.
The Basic Magic of Just Dance Now on Chromecast
The beauty of this system is simplicity. Or at least, the promise of it. You use your phone as the controller—holding it in your right hand—and the Chromecast acts as the brain that puts the dancers on the big screen.
Ubisoft launched this back in 2014, and while the tech has improved, the core logic is the same. Your phone sends motion data to the cloud, the cloud sends it to your TV, and your TV shows you your score. It's a miracle it works at all, really.
To get started, you just need the app on your phone (iOS or Android) and a Chromecast plugged into your TV’s HDMI port. When you open the app, a little Cast icon should appear in the top right corner. You tap that, select your TV, and the justdancenow.com interface should magically appear on your television.
No wires. No consoles. Just vibes.
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But as any seasoned dancer knows, "just vibes" doesn't help when the dancer on screen is five seconds behind your actual arms.
Why Your Connection Keeps Dropping (And How to Fix It)
If you're seeing stuttering or the dreaded "Connection Lost," it’s almost always a network issue, not the app itself. Chromecast is notoriously picky about Wi-Fi signals.
A lot of people don't realize that both your phone and the Chromecast need to be on the exact same Wi-Fi frequency. If your phone is on the 5GHz band and your Chromecast is hanging out on the 2.4GHz band, they might struggle to talk to each other. It’s annoying.
The Latency Problem
Latency is the enemy of rhythm.
In Just Dance Now, your phone is constantly uploading movement data. If your internet upload speed is slow—anything under 1 Mbps—you’re going to have a bad time.
Pro Tip: If you have a newer Chromecast with Google TV or the Google TV Streamer (2026), try using an ethernet adapter. Wiring your TV directly to the router eliminates about 90% of the lag issues people attribute to the game.
Another weird fix? Turn off "Bluetooth Scanning" on your Android phone if you’re using one. Sometimes the phone’s attempt to find nearby devices interferes with the constant data stream needed for the game. It sounds like a myth, but it actually works for a lot of players.
The Cost: VIP Passes vs. Coins
You can play for free, but it’s a tease.
Ubisoft gives you a daily allotment of coins (usually enough for two songs). After that, you’re stuck waiting for the timer to refill. If you’re actually trying to use this for a workout or a party, you’re going to want a VIP Pass.
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In 2026, the pricing hasn't changed drastically, but the value depends on how you buy:
- 24-hour Pass: Usually around $2.99. Perfect for a one-off party.
- 1-Month Pass: Roughly $3.99 to $5.99 depending on your region.
- 1-Year Pass: About $24.99.
The coolest thing about the VIP Pass is that only one person needs it. If you’re hosting five friends, as long as the person who started the "Dance Room" has VIP status, everyone else can join for free. It’s a pretty generous move from Ubisoft.
Common Myths About Chromecast Compatibility
I see people online saying you can't use a Chromecast if you have an iPhone. That’s just wrong.
The Just Dance Now app on iOS supports Google Cast perfectly fine. You don't need an Apple TV to play on a big screen.
Another big misconception is that you need the latest Chromecast Ultra or 4K model. While the Chromecast with Google TV performs better because it has more processing power, even an old Gen 2 or Gen 3 "puck" can handle the game. The bottleneck is almost always the Wi-Fi, not the device's hardware.
Step-by-Step Setup That Actually Works
- Power your Chromecast from the wall: Don't plug the USB cable into the TV’s service port. It often doesn't give enough juice, leading to crashes mid-song.
- Open the app first: Make sure your phone is already on the Wi-Fi you intend to use.
- Sync the room: Tap the Cast icon and wait for the "Dance Room" number to appear on the TV.
- Hold tight: Keep your phone firmly in your right hand. Use a wrist strap if you’re a vigorous dancer—smartphones are expensive projectiles.
Is It Better Than a Console?
Honestly? No.
If you have a Nintendo Switch, the tracking is objectively better. The Joy-Cons are built for this.
However, if you're traveling, living in a dorm, or just don't want to clutter your TV stand with consoles, Just Dance Now on Chromecast is an incredible alternative. It’s portable. It’s cheap. It gets the job done for 95% of people who just want to move to some Dua Lipa or Lady Gaga.
What to do if the Cast Icon is Missing
This is the most common "broken" state. If you don't see the Cast icon:
- Toggle your Wi-Fi: Turn it off and back on on your phone.
- Check AP Isolation: Go into your router settings and make sure "AP Isolation" is turned OFF. This setting prevents devices on the same network from seeing each other.
- Update the Home App: Ensure the Google Home app is up to date, as it often manages the backend "handshake" between devices.
If all else fails, you can always open the browser on a laptop, go to the Just Dance Now website, and then "Cast Tab" from the Chrome browser settings. It’s a bit of a workaround, but it bypasses the app's native casting if it's being moody.
Making the Most of Your Session
Don't just jump in. Check your settings.
Within the app, you can adjust the "Visual Quality." If you find the video is lagging behind the audio, dropping the quality to "Standard" instead of "High" can bridge the gap. It might look a bit fuzzier, but the gameplay will be much tighter.
Also, remember that the "Dance Room" code is your friend. If your phone disconnects, you can usually just type that code back in to rejoin without losing your spot in the session.
Actionable Next Steps
- Test your upload speed: Use a site like Speedtest.net; if you're under 1.5 Mbps upload, expect some jitter.
- Clear your cache: If the app feels sluggish, clear the cache in your phone's app settings to freshen the connection.
- Check the Room: Ensure your TV screen shows a stable 4-digit or 5-digit room code before trying to join.
- Grab a strap: Seriously, find an old Wii remote strap or a phone case with a loop. You will eventually let go of the phone during a fast song.