In early December 2025, Netflix quietly removed the “cast” feature from its mobile app — meaning users can no longer cast shows or movies from their phones to most TVs and streaming devices. The update affects millions of users worldwide.
What Changed: Casting Is No Longer Supported on Most Devices
- According to Netflix’s updated help page, the company now states that it “no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices.”
- The change affects modern smart-TV platforms, including streaming sticks and devices with their own remotes — notably newer models of Chromecast with Google TV (and similar devices).
- Only legacy devices — older Chromecast dongles or TVs with native Google Cast support — will still allow casting. Even then, compatibility may depend on having a non-ad-supported (ad-free) Netflix subscription.
Why Netflix Says It Did This (…and What Users Say)
- Netflix claims the feature had low usage, and by removing it they can focus resources on features with greater value to the majority of users. WIRED
- The company’s statement suggests that if a streaming device has its own remote, the user must use that rather than casting from a phone.
- Some users and consumer-tech writers argue this move reduces convenience — casting from phones was widely used for ease of navigation, especially for those who prefer using the phone over a TV remote, or whose TV does not have a Netflix app installed
Who’s Still Affected — And Who’s Not
| Scenario / Device Type | Casting From Phone — Still Possible? |
|---|---|
| Newer smart TVs / streaming devices (Chromecast with Google TV, Google TV Streamer, etc.) | No — Cast option removed for most. |
| Older Chromecast dongles & TVs with Google Cast (legacy devices) | Yes, but only on ad-free Netflix plans. |
| Users on ad-supported (cheaper) Netflix plans | Generally, no — casting unavailable even on legacy devices. |
In effect, a large portion of Netflix’s user base — especially those with newer TVs or lower-cost subscription plans — will lose the convenience of casting.
What This Means for Users — And Streaming Behavior
- More dependence on TV remote / native apps: Users must now open Netflix directly on their TV or streaming box, sign in (if required), and navigate with the remote — less convenient than browsing on phone + casting.
- Less flexibility on the go or in temporary locations: Casting from phone was a handy workaround when traveling / staying in hotels or Airbnb, where installing Netflix on the TV might not be feasible. That convenience is lost.
- Possible friction for shared accounts or households: For households where logging in on the TV is cumbersome, casting had offered a quick access method — now removed.
- Potential push to premium plans / device upgrades: Netflix restricting casting to legacy devices and ad-free tiers hints at an incentive (explicit or implicit) for users to upgrade subscriptions or stick with older hardware.
Broader Context — Netflix’s Trend Towards Tightening Control
This move follows past removals: in 2019, Netflix removed support for AirPlay, limiting the ways users can stream content from mobile devices to TVs
Analysts suggest the new casting restriction is part of Netflix’s broader effort to control how content is consumed — possibly to reduce account sharing, simplify device-specific licensing, ensure uniform playback experience, or nudge users towards paying for higher-tier plans.
What You Can Do Now — Alternatives & Workarounds
- Use Netflix app directly on your smart-TV / streaming device: Almost all modern Smart TVs and devices support Netflix via their native app. Use the remote to sign-in and stream.
- Stick to older casting-compatible hardware: If you have legacy Chromecast or a TV with Google Cast support — and an ad-free plan — casting may still work.
- Consider other streaming platforms: If casting convenience is important, some alternative platforms may still allow phone-to-TV casting — though you’ll need to verify each service’s policy.
- Screen-mirroring or HDMI output from device (not ideal): This is a more technical workaround — but for some devices, you could mirror your phone or laptop screen to TV via HDMI or wireless display — though Netflix’s DRM may block full playback.
Conclusion — A Significant Shift in Streaming Convenience
Netflix’s removal of the cast feature from smartphone apps marks a major change in how many users will consume content. What was once a quick and convenient way to stream to a TV via mobile devices is now largely gone — replaced by the requirement to use native TV apps and remotes. For many users, this feels like a step backward in convenience. Whether the trade-off (control/quality for loss of flexibility) is worth it will depend on the user’s setup, subscription type, and tolerance for extra steps.
