Adam Breeden/ZDNET
Follow ZDNET:
Be sure to add ZDNET as one of your preferred sources on Google so that you never miss the latest updates in the world of technology and innovation.
**ZDNET’s Expanded Key Insights**
Samsung’s older television models are about to receive a significant improvement, as Google Cast functionality will soon be introduced to them. This new feature will be delivered gradually through a multi-phase rollout that includes TVs from the 2026, 2025, and 2024 model years, with the possibility of extending even further to certain 2023 editions. In addition to this enhancement, the latest software update also integrates compatibility for Samsung’s **Universal Gestures** feature, which operates in conjunction with the Galaxy Watch, further enriching user interactivity and convenience.
Although Google has officially ended the production of its Chromecast hardware devices, Samsung TVs are stepping in to fill that void. Through an upcoming firmware revision, all 2026 Samsung TV models, along with a selection of certain earlier models potentially going back as far as the 2023 line, will gain native support for Google Cast. In practical terms, this advancement frees users from the previously necessary requirement of having a Galaxy smartphone with Samsung’s Smart View function enabled to share content. Consequently, Android users across numerous devices will experience a far greater degree of freedom, as casting media will become an intuitive and universally accessible process untethered from one specific brand ecosystem.
**Additional Context**
It is always worthwhile to stay on top of your television’s firmware updates, as these not only improve security and performance but also deliver completely new capabilities like this one. While rumors had already circulated that Google Cast would arrive as an integrated feature on Samsung’s 2026 TVs, confirmation has now surfaced from user reports on Reddit. According to these accounts, the **Tizen update version 2115** is already rolling out for certain 2024 and 2025 TVs, ensuring that they are kept technologically aligned with Samsung’s forthcoming media ecosystem.
**Which Samsung TV Models Will Receive This Update?**
According to information published by **Android Authority**, it appears that some 2023 models will also be eligible for an update to a newer version of the Tizen operating system. However, it remains uncertain whether these devices will also receive the Google Cast addition. Users should be aware that firmware distributions are typically released in waves, meaning that depending on one’s model and region, it might take several weeks—or in some cases, even months—for the new software to become available. To make certain that your television is included in the first round of eligible devices, it is recommended that automatic updates be turned on. Alternatively, you can check manually within your Samsung TV’s settings menu to verify whether the most recent firmware version has been made available for your device.
The **v2115 firmware update** also introduces support for Samsung’s **Universal Gestures** technology through the Galaxy Watch platform. This means users will likely observe not only improved responsiveness but an overall enhancement in the system’s interactive capabilities. Though Samsung itself may not heavily promote this upgrade through major marketing campaigns, for the many users who have been waiting to stream directly from their Android or Chrome-based devices without auxiliary hardware, the update will be a very welcome change—one that significantly simplifies the entire casting experience.
**What About Non-Samsung TV Owners?**
For those who own a smart television powered by the **Google TV platform**, the ability to cast and share media from both Android and iOS is already embedded as a standard feature. Similarly, LG’s **webOS** ecosystem also integrates Google Cast functionality, allowing streaming from multiple devices without depending on the now-discontinued Chromecast dongle. Nonetheless, individuals who wish to ensure comprehensive compatibility can still purchase the new **Google TV Streamer** device, which guarantees effortless integration with nearly any television—whether it is a recent smart model or even an older, non-smart (so-called “dumb”) TV.
In summary, Samsung’s latest firmware rollout represents a forward-looking evolution that seamlessly bridges hardware limitations, expands cross-platform flexibility, and provides users with the modern connectivity they expect in today’s digital entertainment landscape.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/samsung-rolls-out-google-cast-to-older-tvs/