
After three months, Google has still not resumed its promised Android 14 rollout for Chromecast devices. This update would bring Chromecast nearly to parity with the Google TV Streamer, which replaced the Chromecast line. The company did bring Android 14 to Chromecast with Google TV earlier this year, but then quickly and quietly pulled the update when it became clear that a number of software issues were present, per 9to5Google. As of now, the company has not released a timeline for resuming Android 14 updates.
The following was originally published August 27, 2024:
With anticipation growing for Google’s upcoming TV Streamer, the company has confirmed that it hasn’t quite left its Chromecast line in the dust just yet. Though the Google TV Streamer will officially replace the Chromecast line in the company’s catalogue, current owners of the streaming dongles are still getting some quality of life upgrades in the form of Android 14.
As reported by Android Authority, Google has confirmed that Chromecast with Google TV will be receiving an update to Android 14, the same software version that the Google TV Streamer runs on. However, not every bell and whistle will be coming to the older devices, due to hardware limitations. The example given to Android Authority by a Google TV project manager was Thread support, as Chromecast with Google TV lacks the hardware required to turn the TV into a Thread border router, unlike the upcoming TV Streamer.
Google ordered to pay $338.7 million for patent infringement
While this is still welcome news to Chromecast owners, Google has not revealed a timeline for the release of Android 14 for the devices. While the release of the Google TV Streamer marks the end of the Chromecast line, the company has announced that support will continue over the coming years, with the 4K version of Chromecast with Google TV receiving security updates through September 2025, and the HD version receiving security updates through September 2027.