YouTube has recently introduced a redesigned Cast menu in its main app for both Android and iOS devices, following its initial debut in YouTube Music. This updated interface features a floating bottom sheet with rounded corners, replacing the central “Cast to” prompt that users were accustomed to.
Previously, when users tapped the Cast icon, a prompt would appear in the middle of the screen for device selection. During an active casting session, this button allowed volume control, with additional options like Voice search and Remote available for compatible televisions. A prominent “Disconnect” button also made it easy to end a session quickly.
The new “Select a device” menu now offers a different layout that doesn’t span the entire screen width. Once playback begins, a thumbnail of the content being played is displayed, along with voice and remote buttons in the corner. Users can switch to a different device using the “Select different device” option at any time.
While this redesign aims to enhance the casting experience by streamlining the process, some users have expressed concerns about the absence of the familiar Disconnect button. To end a casting session now requires users to tap “This phone,” which transfers playback back to their mobile device, followed by manually pausing the content. This two-step process is seen as less convenient than the previous one-click Disconnect option.
Despite this inconvenience, there are alternative methods available to stop casting. Users can utilize the Google Home app or the Android media switcher to terminate a session if needed. The rollout of this new Cast menu has not been uniform, with some users already seeing changes while others have not yet received the update. It appears that YouTube is gradually implementing these changes and they may not be immediately available to all users.
As YouTube continues to roll out this update, it will be interesting to see if they address user feedback and potentially reintroduce a more convenient Disconnect option in future updates. Stay tuned for more details on how this revamped Cast menu will improve your overall viewing experience on YouTube!
