Netflix says it ‘no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device’. Image: Shutterstock
Netflix has quietly ended most users’ ability to cast or mirror shows and movies from their mobile devices to TVs and other streaming devices, fuelling criticism from some subscribers.
The streaming giant says it “no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices”, in a recent update to its Help Centre website.
“You’ll need to use the remote that came with your TV or TV-streaming device to navigate Netflix,” the site now states.
Users with some older Google Chromecast devices or TVs which natively support Google Cast will still be able to use Netflix casting from mobile devices, according to the company.
However, this is only for subscribers on its more expensive ad-free plans — which now start from $20.99 per month in Australia following recent price rises.
“If you’re on an ad-supported experience, you won’t be able to use your TV as a display for Netflix content playing on your mobile device (casting or mirroring),” the Netflix site added.
‘Annoyed’ subscribers voice frustration
Netflix subscribers began noticing the removal of mobile casting in recent weeks, and some have since taken to social media to voice concerns over the change.
The change is likely to make it more difficult for most Netflix subscribers to use their accounts on TVs or streaming devices which they are typically not logged into, such as when they are travelling or in someone else’s home.
“This sucks for travelling,” one social media user wrote in response to news of the feature’s removal.
“I don’t want to type my account credentials into a random hotel room TV.”
Netflix has around 6.4 million subscribers in Australia, according to a recent analyst estimate. Image: Shutterstock
A user who first noticed the changes in November wrote that the removal of casting was “done with zero warning” from Netflix.
“I’m annoyed, as Chromecasting is the main way that I watch streaming,” they wrote.
“It gives me all of the control to use my phone as a remote control and searching for stuff is so much easier.”
Another user wrote, “Almost feels like companies WANT customers to hate them nowadays.”
Netflix silent on reasons for casting removal
Netflix declined to comment on why mobile casting had been removed when contacted by Information Age, but a spokesperson suggested the feature was no longer widely used by its subscribers.
Users have speculated the feature’s disappearance may be related to Netflix experiencing technical issues preventing it from playing ads on older TVs and streaming devices while casting.
Subscribers have also suggested the change may be related to Netflix’s crackdown on users sharing their accounts by sharing their login details and devices.
Netflix was one of the first streaming services to prevent users from sharing accounts, which impacted Australian subscribers from May 2023 and helped to inspire similar moves by the likes of Disney+ and HBO Max.
Netflix also quietly killed off its support of Apple’s AirPlay protocol in 2019, preventing subscribers from casting from the Netflix mobile app to Apple TV streaming devices.
The company said the change was due to “technical limitations” related to Netflix no longer being able to distinguish between Apple TV and other devices after Apple rolled out AirPlay support to third-party devices.
“We have decided to discontinue Netflix AirPlay support to ensure our standard of quality for viewing is being met,” Netflix said at the time.
Netflix has around 6.4 million subscribers in Australia, according to an October report by Australian technology analyst firm Telsyte.
Amazon Prime Video has around 5.1 million subscribers, followed by Disney+ (3.3 million), Stan (2.6 million), Paramount+ (2.1 million), Kayo Sports (1.7 million), and Binge (1.6 million).