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iOS 27 could offer native integration with Google Cast and other streaming protocols

Avatar for Michael Burkhardt  | May 24 2026 - 7:31 am PT
9 Comments
AirPlay

In response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple is reportedly working on the ability to replace AirPlay with other third-party streaming protocols at a system level. This feature may only roll out in the European Union, similar to third-party app marketplaces.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple may be conceding AirPlay as a system-level default, and alternative streaming protocols may be able to tap into iOS at a native level, starting with iOS 27. From the Power On newsletter:

Apple, looking to satisfy the latest requirements of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, is building support into iOS 27 for third-party AirPlay streaming alternatives, I’m told. This means that outside services — such as Google Cast — can be set by users as the default solution for beaming video, photos and audio from an Apple device to a speaker or TV.

Google Cast (formerly Chromecast) is most certainly the most popular third-party protocol that’d take advantage of this. Nonetheless, it theoretically means that any smart speaker or streaming device manufacturer could offer native integration with iOS, without needing to support AirPlay or rely on Bluetooth.

Top comment by Tom

Liked by 12 people

very nice.

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It’s worth noting, this feature more than likely will only roll out in the European Union. The report doesn’t necessarily say that verbatim, but if you’re not in the EU, I wouldn’t have high hopes for getting native Google Cast integration – at least for now.

Personally, most hotels I’ve stayed at in recent memory only support streaming through Google Cast, so it’d certainly be nice to have full support for it within iOS.

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Avatar for Michael Burkhardt Michael Burkhardt

Michael is a 9to5Mac Reporter, leading all of our Apple news coverage on weekends and reviewing the newest Apple products and accessories. He got started in the world of Apple news during the pandemic, and it became a growing hobby. He’s also an indie iOS developer, and started the weekly Indie App Spotlight series, which has covered hundreds of blooming new apps since it launched. In his free time, he enjoys shooting street photography around New York City on his Sony A7RV.

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