YouTube’s New Cast Menu: Modern Redesign and Enhanced Functionality

Highlights

• New floating bottom sheet design for the Cast menu.
• Compact and visually appealing interface with rounded corners.
• Thumbnail and control buttons available during casting.
• Updated “Disconnect” process requires tapping “This phone.”

If you’re a long-time user of YouTube on Android or iOS, you might have noticed a change recently in the app’s Cast menu.

YouTube has redesigned the Cast experience to bring a fresh, modern look and some functional tweaks to the way you cast your content to your favorite devices.

New Cast Menu

The centrally located “Cast to” that appeared when you tapped the Cast icon is now history.

The new design has a floating bottom sheet with rounded corners, presenting a more modern and visually appealing interface.

This “Select a device” menu doesn’t stretch edge-to-edge, making it compact and unobtrusive.

Once you have started casting, the new menu shows a thumbnail of what’s playing with the familiar voice and remote buttons tucked away in the corner.

Anytime, you can easily “Select different device” if you need to switch to another compatible screen or speaker.

The Disconnect Dilemma

One thing that has drawn some user feedback regarding the redesign is the fact that there’s no prominent “Disconnect” button.

The button, which previously allowed you to stop a casting session and pause playback on your mobile device, doesn’t exist anymore.

With the new design, you’ll need to tap “This phone” to move playback back to your mobile device, effectively ending the casting session.

Alternative Solutions

If the two-step disconnect process feels like an inconvenience, then fear not – there are alternative ways to regain control over your playback.

You can use the Google Home app, or, if you are on Android, the media switcher can help you control your casting sessions with ease.

Addressing User Feedback

The YouTube Music team has since listened to user feedback and has now added an overflow menu next to the volume slider.

This menu holds options such as “Send feedback” and, more importantly, “Disconnect from TV.”

However, it’s worth noting that this “Disconnect” option works differently than before – it only disconnects your phone from the casting session, leaving playback continuing on the connected speaker or display.

As the YouTube Cast redesign continues to roll out across Android and iOS devices, it’s likely that the team will continue to refine and improve the experience based on user feedback.

After all, a seamless casting experience is essential for those who enjoy consuming content on multiple screens and devices.

FAQs

What changes have been made to the YouTube Cast menu?

The YouTube Cast menu now features a floating bottom sheet design with rounded corners, making it more modern and visually appealing.

How do I disconnect from casting in the new YouTube Cast menu?

To disconnect, you need to tap “This phone” to move playback back to your mobile device, ending the casting session.

Is there an alternative way to control casting sessions?

Yes, you can use the Google Home app or the media switcher on Android to control your casting sessions.

What options are available in the new overflow menu?

The overflow menu includes options like “Send feedback” and “Disconnect from TV,” which only disconnects your phone from the casting session while playback continues on the connected device.

How does the new Cast menu improve the user experience?

The new design is more compact and unobtrusive, with easy access to controls and the ability to switch devices seamlessly.

Also Read: YouTube Music Rolls Out Offline Listening for Desktop and Updates Android Share Sheet 

Also Read: YouTube Music Introduces Activity Feed and New Creator Content Disclosure Policy