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Yes. Google stopped making the Chromecast in August 2024. Its replacement is the Google TV Streamer, a small box that runs Google TV and still lets you cast from your phone. A Chromecast you already own keeps working, so you only need to upgrade if yours is slow or you want new features.
Google announced the change on its Keyword blog (“After 11 years and over 100 million devices sold”). Streamer specs come from the Google Store tech specs page.
In this article:
- What replaced the Chromecast?
- Other options if you just want to cast
- How to cast to a Google TV Streamer
- Will Google keep updating my Chromecast?
- Frequently asked questions
What replaced the Chromecast?
The Google TV Streamer sits next to your TV instead of hanging off the HDMI port. According to Google, it has:
- 4K HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG
- Dolby Atmos audio
- 4GB of memory and 32GB of storage
- An Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 802.11ac
- A Matter and Thread border router for smart home devices
- A remote with batteries included
One catch: the box doesn’t come with an HDMI cable. Google says you need a certified HDMI 2.1 cable, sold separately, such as the Amazon Basics HDMI 2.1 cable.
Check the Google TV Streamer on Amazon
Other options if you just want to cast
| Device | Why pick it |
|---|---|
| Google TV Streamer | The official Chromecast replacement, with Google Cast built in |
| A TV with Google TV or Chromecast built in | Nothing extra to buy; cast straight to the TV |
| Roku Streaming Stick Plus | Low-cost 4K stick; supports AirPlay, but not Google Cast |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Plus | Good for Prime Video and Alexa homes; no Google Cast |
If casting from Chrome or Android apps is the main thing you do, stick with Google’s device or a TV that has Google Cast built in. Other sticks can play the same apps, but you pick shows on the TV instead of casting them. To compare app support, see our chart of which streaming services work on each device.
How to cast to a Google TV Streamer
- Connect your phone and the Streamer to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open a supported app, like YouTube or Netflix.
- Tap the Cast button.
- Choose your Google TV Streamer.
- Use your phone or the remote to control playback.
Result: The video plays on your TV through the Google TV Streamer, and you can control playback from your phone or the Streamer’s remote.
To cast a whole laptop screen, see how to cast your laptop to a TV. For Android phones, see how to screen mirror Android to a TV.
Will Google keep updating my Chromecast?
Google’s announcement says there are “no changes to our support policy for existing Chromecast devices,” with continued software and security updates to the latest devices. In practice, that means a Chromecast you already own keeps casting, and the newest models keep getting updates. Casting from phone apps still works the same way, as in our guide to watching Vudu (Fandango) on a Chromecast with an iPhone.
If your older Chromecast starts having trouble, restart it and your router first. If it still misbehaves or no longer supports the apps you use, that’s the point where the Google TV Streamer or a TV with Google Cast built in makes sense.
Frequently asked questions
Will my old Chromecast stop working?
No. Google ended production, not support for devices people already own. Keep using it for as long as it meets your needs.
Can I still buy a Chromecast?
Google stopped making them, so any you find are leftover or used stock. For a new device, get the Google TV Streamer.
Is the Google TV Streamer worth it over a cheap stick?
It costs more than most sticks. You get more storage, Ethernet, and smart home features. If you only stream a few apps, a lower-cost stick is fine.
Related: Fire TV Stick vs. Google TV Streamer, which Roku to buy, and how to edit Nest thermostat presets in the Google Home app.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.