The iPhone could get a lot better at casting videos to the big screen, as Apple is reportedly working on native support for Google Cast in iOS 27. That means you could soon beam video, photos and audio to almost all smart TVs on the planet.
Apple’s AirPlay is great if you are into the Apple ecosystem, but Google Cast is almost everywhere. It’s built into nearly all smart TVs sold today, including the hotel TVs you may have struggled with during vacations. Right now, your iPhone can’t natively talk to these devices, but iOS 27 could change that.
The EU might force iPhone to support Google Cast
Apple did not have a sudden change of heart about adding Google Cast support. The company would do this to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act. (That same regulation forced Apple to allow third-party app marketplaces on the iPhone in 2024.)
Now, a Bloomberg report says Apple is “building support into iOS 27 for third-party AirPlay streaming alternatives.” That means Apple might allow users to set third-party streaming protocols like Google Cast as the default, replacing AirPlay at the system level.
Will iPhone users outside the EU get it?
The catch is, not all iPhones will definitely add support for Google Cast. Apple could make the feature exclusively available for those living in the European Union. Apple has a history of limiting DMA-mandated changes to users within the EU’s borders. For instance, iPhone users outside the region cannot install third-party app stores or use an alternate browser engine.
That said, there’s a chance Apple might open up Google Cast to iPhone users all over the world. Maintaining two different iOS codebases can become a headache, and there’s no good reason why Apple should prevent iPhone users from using Google Cast.
If Google Cast support rolls out globally, it would mean iPhone users will no longer need to resort to third-party apps to mirror their smartphone display to a hotel TV. Also, you won’t need to worry about carrying an Apple TV just to watch your favorite content on the big screen.
The report suggests we might also see Apple letting users switch to other streaming technologies like Matter Casting, which works across different brands and keeps media playing even when you switch apps.
In other words, Apple might not be opening the door to just Google Cast. Iit may be doing so for the entire casting ecosystem.
Anurag Chawake is a tech-focused writer specializing in smartphones, apps and consumer technology. His interest in computers began during the Windows 98 era, eventually leading him to explore everything from operating systems to mobile devices and PC hardware. Anurag previously contributed to The Indian Express, covering Apple, Android, gaming and the broader technology landscape.
