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Apple TV Android app just got Google Cast support, letting Android users stream Apple TV shows and movies from their phones or tablets to a TV or other big screen that works with Chromecast or Google TV. This is an unusual opposite shift in the streaming world because Netflix no longer lets most users cast from their phones to TVs.
Apple supporting Google Cast signals a more open approach than expected from a company known for AirPlay-only casting. The adoption also signals the company's interest in making Apple TV a more competitive streaming platform at a time when the market is seeing increased consolidation.
Notably, Netflix and Paramount are competing to take over Warner Bros. Discovery, while Disney is getting ready to fold Hulu into its main streaming platform. At almost the same time, Netflix has quietly removed the Google Cast feature from most of its mobile apps. This means that many users can no longer cast Netflix shows from their phones to TVs like they used to.
Apple adding support while Netflix drops it is what makes this news notable in tech circles today. The removal of Cast from Netflix has gotten many paid subscribers upset. Apple could use this as an opportunity to attract these subscribers from Netflix.
The reason for Netflix's decision is unknown, but all we know is that older Chromecast devices (that don’t have remotes) and a few smart TVs with built-in Cast may still support casting, but this is limited and often tied to higher-tier Netflix plans. Netflix moving away from phone-to-TV casting is seen as a way of encouraging users to stream directly on the TV’s own Netflix app.
Now, you can see a Cast button in the Apple TV app that allows you to send shows like Severance or The Morning Show from your phone to a Chromecast device or Google TV. The company also adds support for playback controls on the Android app, letting you control play, pause, volume, and fast-forward while casting.
Apple first launched Apple TV app on Android in early 2025, and at that time, thr app did not feature Google Cast. Users who wanted to watch content on big screens were frustrated because they need to use third-party service to make the feature work on bigger screens. Now, all that is no longer necessary because you can now simply install the Apple TV app from Google Play on your foldables, tablets, or smartphones, and tap the Cast icon in the top right of the screen to start streaming.
