Apple turns the tables on the streaming wars by inserting Google Cast into its Android Apple TV app, landing just as Netflix trims casting from its own mobile offering.
The update, which also includes a new account picker that makes switching between multiple Apple IDs more convenient, enables Android users to beam Apple TV shows and movies without workarounds on the big screen via Chromecast dongles, Cast-enabled TVs, and Nest Hub displays — an effort that highlights Apple’s desire to reach viewers where they’re already watching.
What Changed in the Android App: Features and UI Tweaks
The most recent update (version 2.2) introduces a persistent Cast button alongside the profile icon on the app’s home screen. Tap it, and you’ll see all your surrounding Cast targets, from Chromecasts to TVs with Google TV intelligence built in and smart displays like the Nest Hub. After connecting, playback starts directly on the chosen screen while controls stay on your phone.
Apple’s design is much like what Android users have known for many years: playback controls and volume adjustments, timeline scrubbing, language and caption preferences, and a neat little miniplayer with a 10-second rewind. The expanded full-screen controller also opens up additional options, and both the miniplayer and full-screen views make it clear what device you’re actually casting to — useful for households with multiple Cast screens.
The Android app was already strong — it had offline downloads, system search integration, and a Continue Watching row — plus recent additions like new-episode notifications. Cast support is the biggest hole to be filled since launch, and by now it brings about rough parity with the experience enjoyed on Apple’s own devices in your living room.
Why this move matters for Android and Cast users
Android has led in worldwide smartphone shipments for a long time, usually around a 70% share of the market, according to IDC. In practice, that’s hundreds of millions of users who by default turn to Google Cast when they want to watch on the big screen. “Our research consistently shows connected CE adoption nowadays is no longer the exception and Google Chromecast devices and Cast-ready TVs now make up a significant portion of that ownership,” said Al Hernandez, Director of User Experience Research at Parks Associates.
By supporting Cast, Apple minimizes friction for the audiences it most wants to reach: those who do not have an Apple TV 4K or a set that can accept AirPlay. That is significant to a service increasingly dominated by tentpole shows like Severance and Ted Lasso, and live sports subscriptions like MLS Season Pass. The update also fits with support for Google Play Billing, making it easier to sign up and begin watching in one seamless turn.
There’s a competitive layer, too. Google Cast has been treated as table stakes for YouTube, Disney+, and Prime Video. That Apple is adding the feature suggests that platform barriers are getting squishy when user convenience and engagement are at stake — in particular as Apple’s Services business remains a key revenue driver, according to its investor promotions.
And a Reversal of Netflix’s Recent Casting Path
The timing is striking. Netflix, from its mobile app, recently downscaled casting support for a number of TVs and displays, and redirected users to the native TV apps. Justifications may include support complexity and quality control, but for viewers it means less choice. Apple’s move in this regard goes the other way, reinstating an appreciated behavior for Android households that simply need a Cast button for moving from phone to TV.
Take one of the most frequent scenarios: you queue up an episode on your phone, hit “Cast” to a living room Chromecast with Google TV, and then keep playing/pausing/resuming from the couch — or shift over to a Nest Hub in the kitchen without skipping a beat. And it’s that seamless handoff that makes Cast so sticky for Android users.
Playback quality and availability details for users
Playback restrictions apply based on hardware, network, and content entitlements. When supported, Cast sessions can reach up to 4K with HDR and immersive audio, depending on device capabilities and displays; formats vary per title and device. The update is available through the Google Play Store, and as with all staged rollouts, it might take a little while to hit every user.
The bottom line on Apple TV Cast support for Android
For Apple to put Google Cast in its Android app is a practical, user-centric move that recognizes how streaming actually goes down in millions of homes. It also finally fills a feature gap, runs counter to Netflix’s recent retreat, and suggests that Apple is willing to embrace cross-platform convenience as it reaches out to potential viewers beyond its high-end hardware.
