Apple TV Finally Gets Google Cast, But Only On Android

According to The Verge, Apple has updated its Apple TV app for Android to version 2.2, adding support for Google Cast streaming. This core feature has been missing since the Android app launched earlier this year. The update allows Android users to cast shows and movies from the app directly to their TVs. However, this Google Cast functionality is only available on the Android version and is not being added to the iOS app. Likewise, the Android app still does not support Apple’s own AirPlay protocol. The change arrives just weeks after Netflix removed casting support from phones to many smart TVs.

One-Sided Streaming Peace

This is a classic case of a half-measure in the platform wars. Apple is giving Android users a much-requested feature, which is good. It makes their service more usable on a competitor’s ecosystem. But here’s the thing: they’re not reciprocating. iOS users don’t get a Cast button, and Android users don’t get AirPlay. It’s a purely tactical move to capture more viewing time on Android, not a strategic shift towards openness. Basically, Apple wants your subscription dollars no matter what phone you have, but they’re not about to blur the lines between their walled garden and Google‘s. Why would they make it easier for an iPhone user to leave the Apple ecosystem, even just to cast to a TV?

The Netflix Context

Timing is everything, and this update coming right after Netflix’s controversial decision to drop phone-based casting is… interesting. Netflix is pushing people toward smart TV apps, arguably for better control and maybe better revenue terms. Apple, meanwhile, is doing the opposite on Android: making the phone app *more* powerful as a remote control. It suggests Apple is confident in its app experience and just wants to remove friction. For the user caught in the middle, it’s a weird split. One giant is taking features away, another is (selectively) adding them. Your experience now depends entirely on which apps you use and what phone is in your pocket.

What It Means For You

If you’re an Android user with a Chromecast or a Cast-built-in TV, this is a straight-up win. Update to version 2.2, and you’ll find the cast button in the top corner. No more needing a separate Apple TV box or a smart TV with the Apple TV app built-in. But if you’re an iPhone user hoping to cast to a non-AirPlay device? You’re still out of luck. And if your household mixes iOS and Android devices, the asymmetry is just frustrating. It locks you into specific device pathways. The move highlights how these streaming tech battles—AirPlay vs. Chromecast vs. proprietary smart TV OS—are still a hassle for everyone just trying to watch a show. So we get a little more convenience, but the bigger walled gardens remain firmly intact.