‘Hold close to cast’ feature rolling out to UWB Google Pixel devices

Google is rolling out the ‘Hold close to cast’ feature to Pixel Pro phones and the Pixel Tablet. As the name suggests, the feature makes it easier to cast from a Pixel smartphone to a Pixel tablet and vice versa.

Which Pixel devices support the ‘Hold close to cast’ feature?

Casting isn’t a new feature on Android smartphones. Google sold millions of Chromecast devices before embedding the feature inside the Android TV OS. Owing to the popularity of the feature, Google is now selling a powerful set-top-box running Android 14.

Google is attempting to simplify the process of casting to a device. The search giant showcased the “tap to cast” feature back in January at CES. This feature is part of Google’s continued work on multi-device experiences.

According to Google, tap to cast lets users, “Reach [their] phone toward a Pixel Tablet to cast media.” Interestingly, this feature is bidirectional. In other words, Pixel device users can transfer a song both ways.

The ‘hold close to cast’ feature is an extension of the tap-to-cast feature. It reportedly relies on UWB (Ultra-Wideband) and other wireless technologies to reach out and cast to another device. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network for the feature to work.

Currently, the hold close to cast feature is limited to a Pro-tier Pixel phone. Specifically speaking, only Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, or Pixel 9 Pro Fold smartphones support this feature. On the tablet side, a docked Pixel Tablet can accept and cast content to a Pixel Pro smartphone.

How to use the new feature to cast multimedia?

As mentioned above, Google is currently restricting the availability of the feature. However, the company has included this feature in version 24.42.32 of Google Play services. Google may likely add more devices from other smartphone makers to the eligibility list.

Eligible Pixel Pro smartphone and Pixel Tablet users can use the hold close to cast feature by first updating the Google Play Services on their devices. Thereafter, head over to Settings app > Google > All services > Cast options.

After toggling the switch, Google advises users to “Reach your phone toward a Pixel Tablet to cast media”. A similar message should appear on eligible Pixel tablets. As the tablet will have to be mounted in its dock, Pixel smartphones would have to be physically moved closer to the tablet for the feature to work.