Netflix has recently made a quiet change by removing support for casting shows and films from smartphones to many TVs and streaming devices, as confirmed by its official help page. This move comes shortly after the return of one of the platform’s biggest shows, Stranger Things.
Users on Reddit have noticed the missing casting button and are now frustrated that they can no longer use their smartphones to cast content to their TVs. Instead, they must watch content directly on the Netflix app on the TV, which can be less convenient for navigation and switching between devices compared to apps like YouTube.
While this change may not be welcome news for many, there are still some Google TV devices that support casting for the Netflix app. These devices include Chromecast 3rd gen or older (without a physical remote), Google Nest Hub Smart Display, select cast-enabled Vizio TVs, and select cast-enabled Compal TVs.
However, if you own a newer Google TV device with its own remote, such as Chromecast with Google TV (4K), Chromecast with Google TV (HD), or Google TV Streamer, casting support for Netflix has been disabled. The decision to disable casting support for these devices has led to confusion among users, with Netflix citing the reason as an attempt to “improve the customer experience.”
For those considering canceling their Netflix subscription due to this change, there are plenty of alternative streaming services available to explore. It’s important to note that the availability of casting support may vary depending on the device you own, so it’s worth checking with Netflix or the device manufacturer for more information.
