Summary
- Netflix removed mobile casting for most TVs and streamers, dropping the Cast button without notice.
- Users must use TV remotes or native apps; casting kept only on some legacy Cast devices for ad-free subscribers.
- Netflix gives no clear reason for the sudden change.
Netflix has almost completely removed mobile casting for most users, ditching support for most TVs and streaming hardware without explanation. The change appears to have rolled out recently, frustrating users who love to use Chromecast with Google TV, Google TV Streamer, and similar devices. Instead of casting from a phone, Netflix now directs viewers to control playback via their TV’s built-in remote or native apps.
There was no official announcement about the change from the streaming giant, but users began to notice the missing Cast button in the Netflix app over the past few weeks. In a popular post of Reddit, Chromecast fans commiserated with each other over the downgrade. A user on Reddit reported losing casting support on November 10th “with zero warning.”
When you’re traveling, you might use Netflix’s casting feature to stream your favorite movies and shows on a TV in your hotel room, Airbnb, or even a family member’s home instead of watching on your phone. And sometimes, it’s just easier to stick with the mobile app — it can feel simpler than navigating the Netflix TV app.
Netflix quietly kills mobile casting on most TVs
The Cast button suddenly disappeared for so many users
Netflix hasn’t given subscribers a succinct reason as to why casting support has been removed.
When inquiring about the missing feature, users report being directed to an official help page for finding a missing cast button, which gives them a blunt notice about the removal.
“Netflix no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices,” reads the page. “You’ll need to use the remote that came with your TV or TV-streaming device to navigate Netflix.”
One Reddit user who called Netflix customer service to complain says they were told, “if the device has its own remote, you can’t cast.”
Netflix has been rolling out updates to both its TV and mobile apps, including features like natural language search, a vertical clip feed, and more personalized recommendations. Removing mobile casting appears to be another step in this strategy, nudging users to interact with Netflix directly through its redesigned apps rather than streaming from a phone to a TV.
Netflix’s big overhaul is focused on one thing
Netflix is ringing the changes.
Some devices still support casting
Legacy Chromecasts escape the cutoff
Even though casting has been removed from most devices, there’s a small loophole for those using older Chromecast models or TVs with native Google Cast support.
According to Netflix’s support page, casting is still possible on older Chromecast devices or TVs with built-in Google Cast, but only for subscribers on ad-free plans starting at $17.99 per month. If you’re on the $7.99 ad-supported tier won’t be able to cast from their phones, even if they have legacy Chromecast devices.
Netflix does not provide any information about which specific Chromecast devices or TV models this includes.
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