
However, both Chromecast and AirPlay 2 are being increasingly built into many TVs nowadays. A separate device is a very straightforward way to give any display these capabilities.
#Sound for chromecast mac tv#
The latest entries in the Apple TV line, like the 2021 Apple TV 4k, likewise support AirPlay 2 (along with a variety of speakers for audio-only support).
#Sound for chromecast mac android#
The Chromecast dongles using the Android TV or the Google TV platform are common examples, but Chromecast also works on many A/V receivers and other devices. However, third-party support is more limited as well: Spotify is getting AirPlay 2 support but doesn’t have it yet, while Netflix pointedly dropped support for AirPlay after TV manufacturers started adopting it (although it continues to support Chromecast).Īnother big question users have: Do you need a separate device, like a set-top box connected to your TV, to use Chromecast or AirPlay 2? Buying a separate device is a big ask for many users, so let’s break this down.Ĭhromecast and AirPlay 2 do exist on specific set-top devices that can connect to your TV. Android mobile devices don’t have much support, so an iOS device is generally required. It’s also compatible with the most-used apps such as Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, YouTube, and Pandora.Īs you would expect, AirPlay 2 started out focused only on Apple devices, and while Apple has been working to change that for the past couple of years, it’s still easy to see that AirPlay is a bit more limited. It works on Android devices of all kinds, as well as iPhones, iPads, and anything with a Chrome browser, like a Chromebook. If you want to use one of these content sharing protocols, then it’s going to need to be compatible with your mobile device - and compatibility is indeed the core difference between Chromecast abilities and AirPlay 2.Ĭhromecast has been around for years and Google has worked to implement it on a wide variety of platforms, so compatibility shouldn’t be a concern. Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of Chromecast and AirPlay 2, and which may be a better fit for you.

So, if you like switching content from your phone to your TV whenever you want, you’ve got a choice to make - and we’re here to make that choice easier.

Google uses Chromecast with its Google Cast streaming technology, and Apple uses AirPlay 2 to do the same. Google and Apple have two very similar services for beaming media from your mobile device over to your TV for a shared experience.
