According to CNET, the Apple TV app on Android has now been updated to support Google Cast, a feature rolling out immediately. This means users can finally cast content from the app on their phones directly to Chromecast devices, Google TV, and Android TV-powered sets. Previously, Android users were largely stuck watching on their mobile screens unless their TV had a native Apple TV app. The update allows casting of Apple TV+ originals and purchased movies and shows simply by tapping the Cast icon during playback. The Apple TV app only launched on Android mobile devices back in February, and this addition closes a significant gap compared to other major streaming apps.
Why This Took So Long
Here’s the thing: this was a glaring omission. Every other big streaming service—Netflix, Disney+, you name it—has had casting for years. It made the Apple TV app on Android feel like a second-class citizen, which, let’s be honest, it probably was. Apple’s strategy has always been to use its services to sell its hardware. AirPlay is a fantastic lock-in tool. So supporting a competitor’s casting protocol? That doesn’t come naturally to them.
But the calculus is changing. The streaming war is all about subscriber numbers now, not just selling iPhones. Leaving a huge chunk of the smartphone market without a decent way to watch on their biggest screen was just leaving money on the table. This move is a quiet admission that to compete with Netflix and Amazon, Apple TV+ needs to be everywhere, even if it means playing nice with Google.
What It Means For The Streaming Wars
This is a small update with big implications. It signals that Apple is getting serious about platform agnosticism for its services. We saw it with Apple Music on Android, and now we’re seeing it here. The walled garden is still there, but they’re building a few more gates.
For the average user? It just makes life easier. No more needing an Apple TV box or a specific smart TV to get your ‘Ted Lasso’ fix on the big screen if you’re an Android phone user. That’s huge. It removes a major friction point and basically puts the Apple TV app on equal footing with its rivals on the Android platform. The question now is: what other features is Android missing? Will downloads for offline viewing get better? Will the app integration deepen?
Look, this isn’t about kindness. It’s about market saturation. When growth slows in your core hardware business, you squeeze your services. And you can’t squeeze services if people can’t easily use them. This update, while late, is a necessary step in Apple’s long game. They’re not just a device company anymore, and moves like this prove it.
