Netflix will no longer let you cast shows from your phone to newer TVs
The phone-to-TV casting feature is now limited to older Chromecast devices and only for ad-free subscribers.
If you’re someone who loved the simplicity of streaming Netflix straight from your phone to the TV, it looks like those days are slowly fading away, at least for most users. Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast shows and movies from mobile devices to most TVs and streaming devices.
According to an updated help page, the only exceptions are older Chromecast devices or TVs that support Google Cast natively, and even then, the feature is limited to ad-free subscribers, which cost $17.99 per month. For those on Netflix’s ad-supported tier ($7.99/month), casting from your phone is no longer possible, even with legacy Chromecast hardware.
Emmanuel Umahi
What’s changing?
The updated guidance from Netflix is clear:
“We no longer support casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices.”
Instead, the streaming platform is directing users to navigate Netflix using the remote that came with their TV. Reports from Reddit suggest this change quietly rolled out around November 10, with some users losing casting options entirely after updating the Netflix app.
This move is likely about control and consistency. Netflix wants users to interact with its app the way it intends through TV interfaces, rather than relying on phones, which can introduce variations in streaming quality, resolution, or app performance across devices.
How other platforms handle phone casting
Netflix isn’t the only streaming service tweaking its mobile-to-TV experience, but its approach is becoming a bit more restrictive. Disney+ continues to allow casting from phones to smart TVs and streaming sticks, including Chromecast, Apple TV, and Roku, even on lower-cost plans.
The company emphasizes cross-device flexibility as a key selling point, HBO Max lets users cast or mirror content freely, without restricting it by subscription tier, giving viewers more freedom to watch on the device of their choice, lastly, Amazon Prime Video supports casting and screen mirroring, but has occasionally introduced limits on device types depending on regional agreements and DRM restrictions.
In comparison, Netflix’s restriction on ad-supported users stands out as one of the more aggressive moves among major platforms, emphasizing plan differentiation while nudging users toward higher-priced subscriptions.
Why did Netflix remove the phone cast?
Netflix hasn’t provided a formal reason for the change, but history offers clues. In 2019, Netflix removed AirPlay support, citing a desire to maintain its standard of quality for viewing. Phone casting can sometimes reduce streaming quality or create compatibility issues across devices, which could explain the new restrictions.
Some analysts also suggest this is a business strategy. By limiting features on the cheaper ad-supported tier, Netflix is creating a clear incentive for users to upgrade, a trend increasingly seen across streaming services.
The takeaway
For Netflix fans, this is a reminder that streaming convenience is now tiered. Phone casting, once a simple luxury, is now largely a premium feature, reinforcing the value gap between ad-free and ad-supported subscriptions.
Meanwhile, competitors like Disney+, HBO Max, and Prime Video continue to prioritize flexibility, highlighting a trade-off between convenience and subscription tiering. Whether this change will push users toward upgrading or push them to alternative platforms remains to be seen.
If you’re a mobile-first viewer, the new reality is clear: your TV remote may be taking back control of your Netflix experience.
Louis Eriakha
