Package detailsv2.1.0

cast

Dart package to discover and connect with Chromecast devices

30-day downloads: 16.5K
Likes: 94
Pub points: 80

Install package

flutter pub add cast

Package Overview

Package selection guidance compiled from public package information, community data, and project usage.

The cast package is a Dart library designed to enable discovery and connection with Chromecast devices in Flutter applications. It allows developers to stream audio, video, and other content from their apps to compatible Chromecast-enabled displays. The package supports seamless device detection and media control, making it ideal for building media-centric apps that integrate with smart TVs and streaming hardware. Built with simplicity in mind, it provides a straightforward API for casting functionality without requiring deep knowledge of the underlying protocols. It is maintained by eivo.co and available on GitHub for community contributions.

Use cases

Streaming media to Chromecast devices
Building TV or home entertainment apps
Enabling remote playback control
Integrating with smart home ecosystems
Creating cross-device media experiences

Key features

Automatic Chromecast device discovery
Support for audio and video casting
Simple, intuitive API
Cross-platform compatibility (with platform-specific implementation)
Open-source and community-maintained

Suitable for

Developers building media apps
Apps targeting smart TVs or streaming devices
Projects requiring device-to-device casting
Teams working on IoT or home automation integrations
Flutter apps aiming for multi-screen experiences

Considerations

Requires Android and iOS platform setup for full functionality
Limited to Chromecast-compatible devices
May require additional configuration for complex media streams
Depends on external network connectivity
Not suitable for non-media casting use cases

Original README

Original README snapshot from the linked source repository. Visit the repository for the latest content.

cast

Dart package to discover and connect with Chromecast devices

Installation

Add this to your package's pubspec.yaml file:

dependencies:
  cast: ^2.1.0

iOS

Required iOS 13 minimum. Since iOS 14 a few more steps are required https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/ios_sender/ios_permissions_changes

In ios/Runner/Info.plist add:

<key>NSBonjourServices</key>
<array>
  <string>_googlecast._tcp</string>
  <string>_YOUR_APP_ID._googlecast._tcp</string>
</array>

<key>NSLocalNetworkUsageDescription</key>
<string>${PRODUCT_NAME} uses the local network to discover Cast-enabled devices on your WiFi
network.</string>

Usage

List devices:

Widget build(BuildContext context) {
  return FutureBuilder<List<CastDevice>>(
    future: CastDiscoveryService().search(),
    builder: (context, snapshot) {
      if (snapshot.hasError) {
        return Center(
          child: Text(
            'Error: ${snapshot.error.toString()}',
          ),
        );
      } else if (!snapshot.hasData) {
        return Center(
          child: CircularProgressIndicator(),
        );
      }

      if (snapshot.data!.isEmpty) {
        return Column(
          children: [
            Center(
              child: Text(
                'No Chromecast founded',
              ),
            ),
          ],
        );
      }

      return Column(
        children: snapshot.data!.map((device) {
          return ListTile(
            title: Text(device.name),
            onTap: () {
              _connectToYourApp(context, device);
            },
          );
        }).toList(),
      );
    },
  );
}

Connect to device:

Future<void> _connect(BuildContext context, CastDevice object) async {
  final session = await CastSessionManager().startSession(object);

  session.stateStream.listen((state) {
    if (state == CastSessionState.connected) {
      _sendMessage(session);
    }
  });

  session.messageStream.listen((message) {
    print('receive message: $message');
  });

  session.sendMessage(CastSession.kNamespaceReceiver, {
    'type': 'LAUNCH',
    'appId': 'YouTube', // set the appId of your app here
  });
}

CastSessionManager is used to keep track of all sessions.

Send message:

void _sendMessage(CastSession session) {
  session.sendMessage('urn:x-cast:namespace-of-the-app', {
    'type': 'sample',
  });
}

Except for the launch message, you should wait until the session have a connected state before sending message.

Note

Some informations about the protocol used https://docs.rs/crate/gcast/0.1.5/source/PROTOCOL.md

$ pub global activate protoc_plugin
$ export PATH="$PATH":"$HOME/.pub-cache/bin"
$ protoc -I=./lib/cast_channel --dart_out=./lib/cast_channel ./lib/cast_channel/cast_channel.proto --plugin "pub run protoc_plugin"