Android 14 arrives on Chromecast: all the details of the new Google TV update

Users Chromecast with Google TV You can finally catch up with an important update: Android 14 is now available for these devices, after several months marked by delays and stops in the deployment. The new firmware aims to update both the models in dongle format like the latest Google TV Streamer, solving old storage problems and adding requested functions.

During the last years, lack of free space and slow updates had turned Chromecast into a device that lagged behind its competitors. Google, however, has resumed its strategy and with this version Jump directly from Android TV 12 to Android TV 14, although it is still a little behind the version of Android that Pixel phones receive.

What's new coming to Chromecast with the Android 14 update

The update, identified under version UTTC.241218.008.H1.13427172, It is available for both those who had stayed on Android 12 and those who had already made the jump to Android 14. in previous interrupted deployments. Download size varies: If you're coming from Android 12, it's considerably larger (about 800 MB); if you were already on Android 14, you'll only get a small patch..

• Full update from Android TV 12 to Android TV 14.
• Keep counting on him security patch dated January 2025.
• The Google TV Streamer remote control now supports the “Find My Remote” feature, ideal for locating it at home, and allows customize your button to open your favorite app.
• Fixes several reported issues, especially in the use of external storage and hang when navigating through menus.
• It includes overall system performance and stability improvements.

Despite the progress, Some users continue to report pending bugs, such as the incompatibility with Ethernet adapters and inability to use ADB via USB. Furthermore, not everyone has overcome problems with external storage devices or the virtual keyboard, although most critical bugs appear to have been resolved compared to the initial versions released in March, which were later withdrawn by Google for causing frequent freezes and crashes.

Which devices does the new update reach?

This update covers all Chromecasts with Google TV, both the dongle models (HD and 4K) and the Google TV Streamer presented in 2024. In fact, the Streamer, which originally came with Android TV 12, is part of the deployment alongside traditional Chromecasts, despite Google's confusing product policy, which in recent months has focused its efforts on marketing only the Streamer, ceasing to sell classic Chromecasts in its official store.

Updating is easy: although you should receive an automatic notification, You can manually check for the update by going to Settings > System > About > System UpdateThe process may vary in speed depending on the region, as Google is rolling out the download in stages to address any last-minute bugs.

What changes have been noticed after the update and what issues remain?

This update comes in a key moment for Chromecast, just when many models have been removed from the catalog and users are looking for more competitive alternatives in price or features. Google is thus committed to keeping its devices up to date, although not exempt from certain limitations in the face of competition and despite criticism over the pace of rollout of new features on TV compared to its mobile ecosystem.

When installed, The update to Android 14 for Chromecast with Google TV and the Google TV Streamer improves the overall system., offering a more modern and stable experienceWhile there are still details to be refined, it represents an important step in the evolution of the device and in Google's strategy to keep its streaming ecosystem up-to-date and competitive in the market.