Bitmovin Player Migration: What You Need to Know
Dacast is upgrading all accounts from Theoplayer to Bitmovin, a higher-performing video player. This rollout began on March 26, 2026 for new and trial users, and will extend to existing paid users in waves starting April 20, 2026, beginning with the Annual Starters plan.
No action is required on your end. Your existing embeds, short links, playlists, and Expo integrations will continue working without interruption.
This article explains what the upgrade includes, how to switch between players, and what to do if you need help.
What’s Improving?
The new Bitmovin player brings three key improvements to your video delivery — with no changes required on your side.
More Reliable Playback
We removed a technical dependency that created a single point of failure for playback interruptions. Your video delivery will be more resilient by default, with no periodic maintenance required to keep things running smoothly.
Better Viewer Experience Analytics
The new player collects richer playback data, including buffering events and playback quality signals. This lays the groundwork for stronger dashboard visibility and helps our team detect, understand, and resolve playback issues faster.
Broader Device Support
Bitmovin supports 20+ device types across web, mobile, and Smart TVs, helping your content reach viewers more consistently. We also prioritize support for new devices early, so your audience is less likely to run into compatibility issues.
How to Switch Between Players
You can switch your player version at any time from the Dacast dashboard. This allows you to move to Bitmovin early if you prefer, or switch back to Theoplayer temporarily if needed.
- Navigate to Settings > Theming (app.dacast.com/settings/theming).
- Locate the Select Player Version field.
- Choose either Bitmovin or Theoplayer.
Important — Multi-User Accounts (MUA): If your account has subusers, the player version can only be changed by the admin or owner. All subusers inherit the player settings from the parent account. If you see the Select Player Version field as inactive, it means you are viewing a subuser account — contact your account admin to make changes.
Who May Be Affected?
Most users will experience a seamless transition. However, if you have custom integrations built on the Theoplayer JavaScript API, or if you have embedded the old player directly into native mobile apps (such as Android), you may need to review your integration. If this applies to you, please reach out to our support team before or after the migration so we can help you plan accordingly.
What If Something Goes Wrong?
We have experienced zero issues during beta testing and on previously migrated accounts. However, if anything looks unexpected after the migration, you can switch back instantly:
- Go to Settings > Theming in your dashboard, or
- Contact support@dacast.com for assistance.
FAQ
Do I need to change my embed codes or integrations?
No. Your existing embeds, short links, playlists, and Expo integrations will continue working as they do today without interruption.
Can I switch back to Theoplayer after the migration?
Yes. You can switch back at any time by navigating to Settings > Theming in your dashboard, or by contacting Support.
When will my account be migrated?
The rollout begins April 20, 2026, starting with Annual Starters plan accounts. Other plans will follow in waves. You do not need to do anything — the upgrade will be applied automatically.
Will this affect my plan or pricing?
No. The player upgrade is included with your existing Dacast plan at no additional cost.
I’m a subuser and I can’t change the player. What do I do?
On multi-user accounts, only the admin or owner can change the player version. All subusers inherit the player settings. Contact your account admin to request a change.
Need Help?
If you have questions or run into any issues during the migration, our support team is available 24/7.
- Live chat: available directly from your Dacast dashboard
- Email: support@dacast.com
- Phone: +1 855-896-9300
Last updated: April 2026 · Migration begins: April 20, 2026
