Samsung has introduced a new way to control YouTube between devices
By ForGeeks Samsung’s One UI 7 update, which began rolling out this week, brings not only the expected UI improvements, but also an unexpected innovation: YouTube now supports cross-device playback control via Live Notifications and the Now Bar. The feature already works on some devices, and its arrival could herald a major change in the Android ecosystem.
The feature is now available on some devices, and its arrival could herald a major change in the Android ecosystem.
The new functionality was reported by SammyGuru, who tested YouTube on the Galaxy Z Fold SE with the stable version of One UI 7 installed. According to them, the smartphone was able to control playback of videos running on another device – such as a TV – directly through an on-screen notification.
The smartphone is now able to control playback of videos running on another device – such as a TV – directly through an on-screen notification.
Control playback between devices – without Cast
Interestingly, control from the phone occurred even when YouTube videos were playing on a Sony TV with Google TV – without using Google Cast technology. That means the new system may not rely on traditional Cast, but on a different mechanism built directly into the YouTube app or the Android 15 / One UI 7 system.
The new system may not rely on traditional Cast, but rather on a different mechanism built directly into the YouTube app or the Android 15 / One UI 7 system.
SammyGuru spokesperson Jeff Springer clarified that Live Notifications appear for both remote playback and local playback – that is, when the video is played on the smartphone itself. This confirms that this isn’t a temporary bug, but rather a new level of integration between YouTube and the system’s notifications features.
So far, it’s not just a temporary bug, but a new level of integration between YouTube and the system’s notifications features.
What’s known about support and limitations
For now, support for Live Notifications with cross-device control is fixed only on some devices that have received the One UI 7 stable – for example, the Galaxy Z Fold SE. The latest Galaxy S25 models, meanwhile, have yet to receive similar support. Instead, those devices now show YouTube in the Now Bar thanks to an update via the Google Play System, but no interactive notifications.
At the same time, YouTube is now showing up in the Now Bar, but without interactive notifications.
Samsung is expected to begin mass distributing One UI 7 in new regions, including the U.S., on April 10, at which point it will become clear whether the feature will be available to a wider range of devices. For now, it remains a rare find, apparently working only on Android 15 with some customization from Samsung and Google.
At the moment, the One UI 7 feature will be available to a wider range of devices, including the US.
Where does this all lead?
If the Live Notifications and Now Bar integration with YouTube goes forward, Android users will get a more seamless and intuitive way to manage media across devices – without the need for Cast, Bluetooth or third-party apps. This could be an important part of the upcoming Android 16, where it’s rumored to expect tighter integration between devices over a shared network.
