Why do I have the google chrome cast icon popping up every 1 minute?

[Android Central Question]

I noticed recently that at the top of my phone, the google chrome cast icon pops up consecutively every 1 minute or so. Does that mean my phone is being cast or mirrored every time this icon pops up? I have not personally set up any google chrome cast icon myself so I'm wondering if someone I know has done that without my knowledge.

 

[SpookDroid]

If you're on WiFi it might mean that someone is casting something in the network and they set it up to allow any phone in the network to control media playback.

Some apps show that icon, too, when playing media on the phone.

 

[Javier P]

Also, in which side of the status bar do you see that icon? The Chromecast icon is usually on the left. If the icon is on the right side, with all the system ones, it's possible that the cause is a screen recorder/screenshot app installed in your phone.

 

[cj111708]

I have a newer samsung note phone. The icon appears at the top right with the other status icons. I suspect a screen capture or mirroring but I wasn't sure.

Thank you for your responses.

 

[SpookDroid]

Are you sure it's the casting icon? Can you share a screenshot? Does anything else appear on your notification bar?

 

[cj111708]

 

[Javier P]

I have a newer samsung note phone. The icon appears at the top right with the other status icons. I suspect a screen capture or mirroring but I wasn't sure.

Thank you for your responses.

Thanks for registering! Yeah, I think that's not related to Chromecast, most likely an screen capture app. I remember reading about some antivirus apps pushing the same kind of icon and there was an old bug with the Facebook app that pushed a cast notification. I'll search a bit and see what I can find.

 

[Javier P]

Just a question, does it only happen when Bluetooth is enabled?

 

[cj111708]

No, it still appears even with my bluetooth off. The only time it doesn't appear is when I am not connected to Wifi and I have my data turned off on my phone.

 

[Javier P]

I still think it's some kind of screen recording app. Do you have the Developer Options enabled? If so, go there next time this icon shows up and see what's listed under running services. This could give us a clue about which app is pushing this notification.

 

[Javier P]

Just in case, have you confirmed that the cast feature is disabled in your quick settings?

 

[cj111708]

I opened up the Developer Options.. and I think I have my cast options disabled.

 

[SpookDroid]

Do you have the Facebook app installed? I've seen a couple reports that a bug on it might cause the erroneous cast status (which yeah, if it's on the right side, it usually means screen recording or sharing).

 

[cj111708]

No I don't have Facebook installed. Its been disabled on my phone for some time now.

 

[cj111708]

What about the 2nd item...?

 

[SpookDroid]

Doesn't sound like that would trigger it (I think that's the 'advanced editing' after taking a screenshot service), but you can always try stopping it WHILE the icon is there. If it disappears, then it's related.

 

[Javier P]

I'm lost with all those Samsung processes running in the background. You could try booting in safe mode and see if you still get the icon. This will tell you if the culprit is a system app or some app that you downloaded.

 

[cj111708]

What would it mean for my phone if its a system app?

 

[Lex5t33l]

If you have accessibility on, such as select to speak, the phone need to see what is on your screen and is recording (monitoring )your screen.

 

[fixius]

Your phone has spyware just installed. I just installed some on my own phone to test and my phone dod the same thing. The spy app is taking screenshots and sending them to the app so i can see everything. Chances are you wont be able to find the hidden app. Its running in stealth mode woth no icon and a different name that sounds like a system app. It happening just out of the blue like that is not a good sign. You may also notice your location icon coming on as well unless you always have that running