In terms of customer-friendly features, Netflix usually leaves little room for complaint. The streamer has great subtitle and language dub options, a world-famous algorithm that delivers great new TV show and movie recommendations, and a lot more to its credit. But this week, Netflix quietly got rid of a feature that is still likely used by many of its subscribers; as reported Monday, Netflix has removed the ability to cast from mobile phones to TVs for most subscribers.

As first spotted by Android Authority, Netflix has ended the ability to cast to TVs from its mobile app on most devices. The Netflix Help Center has been updated to confirm that Cast is no longer available for most.

Users who have older devices still have the ability to cast to a TV with Netflix, at least for now. These devices include the Google Chromecast (Gen 3 or older), the Google Nest smart display, and select TVs made by VIZIO or Compal that are compatible with the casting feature. Even with these devices, casting isn’t available for subscribers of Netflix’s ad-supported plan.

Reddit user freetherabbit reported over the weekend that a customer care representative told them that if a device comes with its own remote, casting is no longer supported on it. Instead, Netflix is now encouraging viewers to use their remotes to navigate around the Netflix app.

Are you a Netflix user who chooses to cast to your TV for easier navigation? Now that the streamer is forcing you to use your remote instead of casting with a mobile device, do you anticipate watching Netflix less going forward? Tell us in the comments how you are affected by the streamer’s decision to end support for casting on most devices.

Sign Up

netflix.com

Netflix

Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix originals. Renowned for producing groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”

…

The platform constantly updates its catalog, introducing fresh content alongside timeless classics and international hits. Netflix’s commitment to storytelling has also earned critical acclaim, with award-winning exclusives such as “Roma,” “Marriage Story,” “The Power of the Dog,” “Mank,” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” In 2023, their animated film “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, further solidifying Netflix’s reputation for high-quality content.

Recently, Netflix has expanded beyond standard movies and TV titles with the addition of video podcasts, and is also exploring a digital store that would offer third-party streamers within the app.

Netflix offers three plans – stream on 2 devices in HD with the “Standard with Ads” ($8.99) plan, on 2 devices in HD with the “Standard” ($19.99) plan, and 4 devices in up to 4K on the “Premium” ($26.99) plan.

Sign Up

$8.99+ / month

netflix.com