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In an October 2024 report, the feature called “Hold close to cast” let owners of certain Pixel phones move active music playback to a Pixel Tablet by bringing the devices close together. It was described as a playback handoff—not copying music files—and the report’s compatibility and setup details should be treated as dated rather than as Google’s current specifications.
What “Hold close to cast” does
Chrome Unboxed reported on October 24, 2024, that a compatible Pixel phone could hand active music playback to a nearby Pixel Tablet, and that playback could be handed back in the other direction. The feature was described for Spotify and YouTube Music. It changes where playback happens; it does not transfer audio files from the phone’s storage to the tablet. Chrome Unboxed’s October 2024 report did not establish whether Google still supports the feature or whether those app and device lists remain current.
Which Pixel devices and music apps were reported to work?
The October 2024 report listed these phones alongside the Pixel Tablet:
- Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel 8 Pro
- Pixel 9 Pro
- Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Spotify and YouTube Music were the apps named in that report. These are historical reported combinations, not a verified current eligibility list. The report did not establish present-day Android or software requirements, regional availability, or support for other apps.
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How to try the reported setup
The reported instructions require the Pixel Tablet to be docked and both devices to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. The setting path below comes from the October 2024 third-party report; menu labels or availability may have changed.
- On the Pixel phone, open Settings.
- Tap Google, then All services.
- Under Cast options, tap Hold close to cast.
- Turn on the setting if it is available.
- With the tablet docked and both devices on the same Wi-Fi network, bring the phone close to the tablet while music is playing.
The report said rollout was gradual, so the setting might not appear on every eligible phone at once. Its instructions do not confirm that the same path or rollout behavior applies today.
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How this differs from other Android sharing and playback controls
| Feature | What it does | What the sources establish |
|---|---|---|
| Hold close to cast | Proximity-based handoff of active music playback between a phone and tablet. | Described for select Pixel phones, a docked Pixel Tablet, and Spotify and YouTube Music in the October 2024 report; current support is unverified. Source |
| Quick Share | Shares content between Android devices; it was previously known as Nearby Share. | Google documents this as a content-sharing feature, distinct from the reported playback handoff. Google Pixel Help |
| Android media output switcher | Routes music or video to connected output devices, such as Bluetooth devices, Cast speakers, smart displays, Chromecast/Google TV devices, and Spotify Connect devices. | Google documents output selection as a separate workflow; it is not the named proximity-based handoff. Google Android Help |
Does the feature use UWB?
Chrome Unboxed speculated that the proximity behavior might use ultra-wideband (UWB), but did not cite Google documentation confirming that technology. The implementation should therefore be treated as unverified, not as a stated feature requirement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about current availability?
The feature-specific details available here come from the October 24, 2024 report. Google’s cited help pages explain Quick Share and media-output switching, not “Hold close to cast.” They do not confirm whether the handoff remains available in 2026, which models or apps currently support it, or its software and regional requirements. If the setting is absent, the dated report alone cannot determine whether that means your device is unsupported, the feature is unavailable in your region, or the feature has changed.
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