Google Cast on iOS

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Google Cast on iOS

Hi there,

I currently have an Android phone, however, as my computer is a Mac, I was thinking of upgrading my handset to an iPhone so they're both part of the same ecosystem.

My one concern is that, though my music library is managed by Apple Music on my computer, I've been mainly using Google Cast (Chromecast) to play it to my multiple Cast enabled speakers throughout the house.

Is anybody able to tell me if the native Apple apps (Music, Podcast, Books etc...) on iOS include the Cast function so I can keep using my multiroom speakers? I know I can use Airplay to do the same thing, but unfortunately not all my speakers include the Airplay function. Also, do 3rd party Apps include the Cast option that they would on Android e.g. BBC Sounds, TuneIn Radio etc...

As additional detail about how I store/use my music, I've been Casting my music using Google Play Music as a go-between, cloning my Apple Music Library. I do not subscribe to the Apple Music streaming service, I do subscribe to iTunes Match so my Library is mirrored and stored in the Apple cloud. I still prefer buying my own music and curating my own library rather than use streaming services.

I'm finding it difficult to discover how Google Cast is implemented on iPhone, if indeed it is at all, so if anyone has experience using it across various apps on iPhone, or has any insights or suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Posted on Sep 4, 2020 6:04 AM

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Answer 1

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Phil0124

Level 10

217,202 points

Sep 4, 2020 6:23 AM in response to losalnos

Google Cast on iOS is 100% app dependent. Each App needs to implement support for it.

The OS itself does not support Casting natively, but some 3rd apps do support Casting.

None of the Native Apple Apps will cast no.

Things like Youtube, Netflix and others do support casting. Apparently BBC Sounds does support casting: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/help/questions/features/use-chromecast

You'll need to test each app you want to use with Google Cast to find out if they support it.

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Answer 2

Phil0124

Level 10

217,202 points

Sep 4, 2020 9:28 AM in response to losalnos

There's a ton of Apps you can sync your Music to instead of Apple's own music App and that will work to CAST.

But if you plan on syncing to Apple's own music App, then your choices are more limited, as there are vastly fewer that can access the iOS Music App's content.

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Answer 3

losalnos Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 4, 2020 7:45 AM in response to Phil0124

I assumed it would be App specific but good to know that Apple haven't nixed it on their platform altogether but that the Native Apple Apps don't have it incorporated. All useful info, many thanks.

Sounds like it if I move to iPhone, and don't want to pay for a monthly streaming service, getting my music to my non-Airplay speakers will be bluetooth only unless I can find another App that does it and works with my iTunes library. I'm happy to pay for an App, even an expensive one, I just don't like the subscription model.

Thanks again.

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Answer 4

losalnos Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 4, 2020 9:56 AM in response to Phil0124

Thanks. I know this is a bit of a case of "let-me-google-that-for-you" but do you have any suggestions. I was using Google Play Music, but that is being shut down and transferred to YouTube Music. I was happy to use that and transfer my library across but once I had, I realised they've put the Cast feature behind their Premium service paywall! SO you have to subscribe to the streaming service in order to cast your own library! I couldn't believe it.

Anyway, if there's any Apps you know of that will hold your library somewhere in the cloud and then Cast, that isn't a subscription streaming service, any suggestions would be great. I keep running in to "Why not use Spotify/Tidal/Quobuz/etc" which all seem to be monthly subscriptions. Or something like Audirvana which unfortunately doesn't work with Google Cast.

Thanks again for all your help.

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Answer 5

Phil0124

Level 10

217,202 points

Sep 4, 2020 11:38 AM in response to losalnos

Unfortunately I have none.

But as you say, Google and an app Store search may be your friend. Good luck.

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Google Cast on iOS

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