If your TV device has a remote control, you can no longer cast to it from the Netflix app on a smartphone, tablet, or PC, according to an announcement from the world’s largest streaming service.
Netflix is in the process of discontinuing support for casting, meaning the feature that lets you find content on your phone and send it wirelessly to your TV.
The company removed support for Apple AirPlay in 2019, and now Google Cast (Chromecast) is facing the same fate, as reported by various tech outlets.
Google Cast support removed
Over the past few weeks, users have noticed that software updates to the Netflix app have removed the casting option. FlatpanelsHD reports that casting no longer works on devices such as Google TV Streamer and Chromecast with Google TV.
Netflix has now confirmed that it is phasing out casting support:
“Netflix no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices. You’ll need to use the remote that came with your TV or TV-streaming device to navigate Netflix.”
According to reports, affected customers have been told that “if the device has its own remote, you can’t cast.”
Casting still works for now on the classic Chromecast sticks and some TVs with built-in Google Cast, but this is almost certainly only a temporary situation. Google discontinued the classic Chromecast sticks in September 2022, and there are already many reasons for users to move on to newer solutions.
Is advertising the reason?
Netflix has not given a clear explanation for why it is taking such a drastic step, other than stating that it is intended to improve the user experience—a claim many affected users are unlikely to accept.
There have been warning signs. Earlier this year, Netflix limited casting functionality to subscribers on ad-free plans.
The decision may be related to advertising. It is more difficult for streaming services to insert or experiment with new ad formats when a movie or show is cast from a phone, compared with when it is played directly in the Netflix app on the TV itself.
