Cast Button

The cast button opens a dialog to connect, control and disconnect from Web Receivers.

See Cast icons to download the Cast button templates.

Note that the Cast button is not specific to Google Cast; it can be used to represent both Web and non-Web Receivers (e.g. bluetooth headsets). Web Receivers should always appear under the Cast dialog, and never under another dialog, menu, or control.

Introduce Cast to users

Introducing the cast button helps existing users know that the sender app now supports Casting and also helps users new to Google Cast.

Required
A Show a Cast introduction screen the first time Web Receivers are available
B Visually highlight the cast button (e.g. circle the button)
C Explain how the cast button works (e.g. "Touch to cast videos to your TV")

Android

Cast introduction

Cast home screen

iOS

Cast introduction

Cast home screen

Chrome

Cast introduction

Cast home screen

Cast button availability

Required
A When Web Receivers are available, the cast button must be visible from every screen in the sender app and located in a consistent position while browsing or playing content. It will also appear in Chrome's header for global control.
B In mobile apps, the cast button should be on the right side of the header.
C In Chrome, the cast button should be on the right side in the content media controls (e.g. embedded video). If the media controls contain a fullscreen button, place the Cast button to the left of it.

Notes

Google Cast employs a multi-tasking model, which allows users to browse the sender app and other apps while casting. The Cast button must be visible from every screen of the sender app, so the user doesn’t have to hunt to find where to pause or stop the content playing on TV.
In Chrome, the Cast button will automatically appear in Chrome's header if the user has the Cast extension installed.

Android

Sender disconnected

Cast home screen

iOS

Sender disconnected

Cast home screen

Chrome

Sender disconnected

Cast home screen

Cast button states

Required
A Unavailable: While Web Receivers are not available, the Cast button does not appear
B Disconnected: While Web Receivers are available, the Cast button appears
C Connecting: While the Web Receiver is connecting, the Cast button animates the waves in the icon progressively (for details, see note below)
D Connected: While this app is connected to the Cast Web Receiver, its Cast button appears with a filled frame shape

Best practices
For each of the button states, use colors that match the style of other UI elements of your app.

Notes
The Cast icon displays in Chrome to provide access to the Cast extension regardless of the availability of Cast devices.
The Connecting (animated) state appears when the connection to the Cast API takes longer than expected (the Android and Chrome SDK's will automatically animate the Cast icon). Once connected, the Web Receiver app launches.
The ON / Connected state of the Cast icon has been updated and now uses a solid fill within the icon frame. Using a distinct highlight color for the ON / Connected state is now optional (e.g. yellow). The new cast icon and icon templates are available here.

Android

Sender, Cast unavailable

Cast home screen

Sender, Cast disconnected

Cast home screen

Sender, Cast connecting

Cast home screen

Sender, Cast connected

Web Receiver app loading

Sender, Cast connected

Web Receiver app loaded / idle

iOS

Sender, Cast unavailable

Cast home screen

Sender, Cast disconnected

Cast home screen

Sender, Cast connecting

Cast home screen

Sender, Cast connected

Web Receiver app loading

Sender, Cast connected

Web Receiver app loaded / idle

Chrome

Sender, Cast unavailable

The Cast icon displays in Chrome to provide access to the Cast extension regardless of the connection state.

Cast home screen

Sender, Cast disconnected

Cast home screen

Sender, Cast connecting

Cast home screen

Sender, Cast connected

Web Receiver app loading

Sender, Cast connected

Web Receiver app loaded / idle

Images used in this guide are courtesy of the Blender Foundation, shared under copyright or Creative Commons license.

Elephant's Dream: (c) copyright 2006, Blender Foundation / Netherlands Media Art Institute / www.elephantsdream.org
Sintel: (c) copyright Blender Foundation | www.sintel.org
Tears of Steel: (CC) Blender Foundation | mango.blender.org