Netflix Stops Allowing Mobile Casting on Recently Released Smart TVs

Netflix is removing support for the ability to cast from mobile devices to many TVs. A help page that Android Authority discovered states that “Netflix no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices.” To access Netflix, you must use the remote that came with your TV or TV-streaming device.

The company said that casting should still work with older Chromecast devices and TVs that support Google Cast, but only for those who are on an ad-free subscription. However, if you have a Google TV Streamer, Chromecast with Google TV or a television that runs on Android TV, casting may no longer be an option in the Netflix app.

Some Netflix subscribers have noticed that casting functionality has gradually stopped working over the past few weeks. Reports began surfacing in mid-November, with users saying the cast option had disappeared or stopped detecting devices.

On an ad-free Netflix plan using the most recent iOS app update, the cast icon still appears, but no compatible devices are shown — not even a TV running Android TV. This has led many to believe that Netflix may be scaling back or testing changes to casting support without an official announcement.

This is a disappointing move from Netflix as many consumers find it easier to browse for something they want to watch on the mobile app and then cast that to their TV. If, for instance, you dozed asleep while watching something, it’s also far easier to get back to the point you last recall viewing by scrolling through the episode or film on a mobile device than with a remote on a TV app.

Netflix has been questioned by Engadget about why it is discontinuing mobile casting capabilities. In 2019, the company discontinued AirPlay support due to “technical limitations.”