Netflix no longer lets you cast content from your phone

[midian182]

What just happened? Bad news for anyone who likes to cast Netflix shows and movies from their phones to TVs: the streaming giant has removed this ability from subscribers. The only way you'll be able to continue casting Netflix content is if you're using certain older devices.

Netflix has quietly posted a page on its Help Cente section explaining why people can no longer find the Cast button in the Netflix app.

The page explains that the casting feature is no longer supported in most TVs and TV-streaming devices, and that you'll need to use the remote that came with your smart TV to navigate the service.

Casting does still work on older Chromecast devices or TVs that support Google Cast natively. However, this is only for users who are on Netflix's more expensive plans, which start at $17.99 per month.

Customers who are on the $7.99-per-month ad-supported tier cannot cast from their phones no matter what device they use. Casting was still supported on this plan earlier this year, although it only worked on newer Chromecast with Google TV models. Now, however, it's been removed entirely.

It's little surprise that Netflix wanted to keep all this quiet – there's no explanation on the Help Center page about why it decided to drop support.

Android Authority, which first spotted the change, spoke to a Netflix customer care representative about the situation. The rep reaffirmed that if a device has its own remote, a user can't cast. They gave the most generic answer when asked why this decision had been taken: to improve the customer experience, though it's not immediately clear how this improves things – plenty of people say it's made the experience worse.

This isn't new territory for Netflix. In April 2019, the company said it had removed AirPlay support from its iOS app due to what it called a "technical limitation." Netflix explained that with the rollout of AirPlay-compatible TVs from multiple manufacturers (not just Apple), the company could no longer reliably distinguish which device the stream was going to – I.e., whether it was an authorized Apple device or a third-party TV/receiver. Because of that uncertainty, Netflix felt it could not "certify" that playback quality and DRM protections would meet their standards.

Image credit: BoliviaInteligente

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Netflix no longer lets you cast content from your phone

 

[themastergoose]

The enshitification of streaming services continues. Netflix say it’s because most TV’s no longer support it?

Yet almost every TV on the market supports one of either Miracast, Chromecast or AirPlay so I don’t buy it.

 

[bviktor]

These streaming providers sure do an excellent job of ensuring I remain a non-subscriber.

 

[dangh]

Wow. and jellyfin + arr suite still works. Let me guess what should I choose...

 

[James321]

What is wrong with the world lately it's like GREED took over and is causing everyone to go insane.

 

[Burty117]

The harder you squeeze Netflix, the more that will slip through your fingers...

Welcome back piracy, we don't miss you, but you've once again become the easier option.

 

[Win7user]

Why, does anyone pay Netflix for horrible content, anyway? There, are no good movies, certainly no films. Those, days are pretty much over.

 

[NumberNine]

What a hollow, desperate thing Netflix has become.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

And once again the free life provides a far better experience then anything paid.

 

[brucek]

I don't get it. Why does Netflix care? And other than "I just can't be bothered to setup the Netflix that came with my TV once" why does the user care?

 

[axiomatic13]

Wow, Netflix is lame.

 

[Hexic]

To top it off, now Netflix honors us with 4-episode releases, for a total of 8 episodes released over months apart.

When there used to be 10+ episodes, instant release, and no casting and minimal sharing limits.

Yeah, you aren’t the golden child you used to be anymore, Netflix. You’re just like the rest.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

I don't get it. Why does Netflix care? And other than "I just can't be bothered to setup the Netflix that came with my TV once" why does the user care?

For Netflix, it makes it easier to track how many TVs you are using so they can further reduce sharing.

I doubt users over 30 care.

Users under 30 continually shock me at how technically illiterate they are. Like don't know how to change text formatting in Word bad. So them only knowing how to use their phone Netflix is unsurprising to me.

 

[TechMonger]

I don't understand how, using my old Chromecast will bring back a cast option to Netflix. Does this simply mean using a phone's casting ability, regardless of whether Netflix displays a casting icon?

 

[Antias]

Netflix?
?
?
Sorry, means nothing to me...

(really missing Torrent Galaxy these days... others are a pain fillled, click bait Ad hell..)

 

[Megalomaniac]

I get my content from Frostwire.

 

[brucek]

For Netflix, it makes it easier to track how many TVs you are using so they can further reduce sharing.

I doubt users over 30 care.

Users under 30 continually shock me at how technically illiterate they are. Like don't know how to change text formatting in Word bad. So them only knowing how to use their phone Netflix is unsurprising to me.

I mean, you must be right that there's some reason. But I'd think a phone is the best possible device for Netflix to attach itself to for anti-sharing purposes. For most people their phone is the device they are least likely to share, is the most locked down with traceable identifiers, and always has GPS. I'd bet most people have newer phones than TVs too, which may be good for ensuring it runs the latest software build. Ad and marketing databases probably know a lot more about the owner of a phone then the owner of a TV (for folks on ad plans). And Netflix definitely knows how many devices on an account they are streaming to whether its a phone or a TV. It wouldn't shock me if they on average send lower bitrate streams to phones too.

Maybe there's some exploit out there I don't know about but that Netflix feels they need to shut down.

 

[wiak]

That's it, am going back to vhs

 

[James Ryan]

Every feature they take away and price hike they pile on, they create another few million pirates.

 

[godrilla]

Renewed subscription so my daughter can binge Stranger things season 5 and Wednesday but my app still has the cast icon.
Galaxy 25 ultra *

 

[Puiu]

Why, does anyone pay Netflix for horrible content, anyway? There, are no good movies, certainly no films. Those, days are pretty much over.

That's an exaggeration. Last Samurai Standing has been a pleasant surprise.

 

[toooooot]

Probably to make it a premium feature in the near future

 

[Superconductor]

Oh man... that's gonna trigger a whole lotta b utt h urt

 

[brucek]

I wonder if the TV makers get something from people using their version of the app, and this restriction was a result of TV manufacturer vs. Netflix negotiations for continued placement/promotion?

 

[ScottSoapbox]

I mean, you must be right that there's some reason. But I'd think a phone is the best possible device for Netflix to attach itself to for anti-sharing purposes. For most people their phone is the device they are least likely to share, is the most locked down with traceable identifiers, and always has GPS. I'd bet most people have newer phones than TVs too, which may be good for ensuring it runs the latest software build. Ad and marketing databases probably know a lot more about the owner of a phone then the owner of a TV (for folks on ad plans). And Netflix definitely knows how many devices on an account they are streaming to whether its a phone or a TV. It wouldn't shock me if they on average send lower bitrate streams to phones too.

Maybe there's some exploit out there I don't know about but that Netflix feels they need to shut down.

If you are over at your friend's place and you have netflix and they don't, you could (previous to this change) watch nexflix there without giving up your phone or your friend paying for netflix. That is the lost revenue they want.