Your Chromecast with Google TV (*12*) a great free update to Android 12

Your Chromecast with Google TV (*12*) a great free update to Android 12

Google will soon update its high-end Chromecast to Android 12, finally putting it on par with the smart TV platforms offered by its rivals.

Chromecast with Google TV (4K) currently only works on Android 10, despite Google-developed hardware and software. With this update, the Streaming Stick should now get several benefits, including support for a wider selection of third-party game controllers, automatic refresh rate switching to reduce video stuttering, and a number of minor improvements.

This follows the announcement of the new cheaper version of the TV Stick: Chromecast with Google TV (HD), which retains many of the same features but replaces 4K visuals with Full HD, removes Dolby Vision, and comes at a lower price.

Google hasn't given a specific date on when its best streaming device will have Android 12, but with the Chromecast, with the release of Google TV (HD) running Android 12, we expect the system update to the exploit to come sooner rather than later. . on your 4K model.

Analysis: Why did the update take so long?

If you're wondering why Google didn't update its Chromecast with Google TV (4K) to the latest version of its own operating system sooner, most guesses center on its meager 8GB of storage. While you wouldn't think a Smart TV Stick would require a lot of storage space, it has to leave room for apps, games, and OS updates that users may want to download.

With that in mind, 8GB really isn't much. If you love shows from many of the major streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime, as well as game streaming platforms like Google Stadia and Xbox Game Pass, you've probably found that sacrifices have to be made on Google TV: especially since some of the limited space has to be dedicated to Android 10.

According to 9to5Google (Opens in a new tab), Google has finally resolved Android 12's space issue with improvements to the way Google TV handles storage. While the details aren't the clearest, these improvements include automatic deletion of unused files and designing apps to be more efficient with the space they use.

Whatever the reason, Google has finally managed to bring Android 12 to its own streaming devices, giving them a solid boost over 10's Android 2019, and we can't wait to install the update.