The Google Play Store has a serious problem with shady cast-to-TV apps

[guruslodge]

BOOK INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TICKETS LOCAL FLIGHTS HOTELS BOOKINGS WORLDWIDE AND MORE AT CHEAPEST RATE EVER! CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHT AND RECEIVE YOUR FLIGHT TICKET INSTANTLY

The Google Play Store has a serious problem with shady cast-to-TV apps

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

TL;DR

• A report claims that the cast to TV/screen mirroring category on Google Play is dominated by a small number of developer networks.


• These networks reportedly operate over 280 apps under fake developer accounts with a combined 1.8 billion installs.


• In addition to the apps not casting anything, they are said to serve uncloseable ads, “free trials” that charge immediately, and $25.99 weekly subscriptions.

Update: March 31, 2026 (2:18PM ET): Google has confirmed that it is investigating the issue. A spokesperson for the company has provided Android Authority with the following statement:

We are looking into this report. When we find apps that violate our Google Play policies, we take appropriate action.

Source: The Google Play Store has a serious problem with shady cast-to-TV apps