Katarzyna Petru
Netflix is gradually tidying up its list of supported devices. This time, it's the PlayStation 3, which for years has been one of the most popular platforms for watching the service. The app will stop working on this console after 2 March 2026. At the same time, support is also being dropped for some very old Smart TVs and selected TV boxes. An official, complete list of devices has not yet been published, but users have already started receiving messages in the app. This is another step in clearing older equipment from the Netflix ecosystem.
End of the PS3 Era as a Multimedia Centre
In the first half of the past decade, Netflix experienced huge traffic on the PS3. The console accounted for a significant percentage of streaming at a time when dedicated devices were less popular. It was also one of the first to offer playback in 1080p.
Today, however, the hardware is nearly 20 years old and does not support modern video or audio formats. The decision to shut down the app is therefore more of a symbolic closure of a certain chapter rather than a real blow to users. The PS4 and PS5 are not affected by the change.
Older Smart TVs and set-top boxes also on the list
Reports from users indicate that the issue also affects selected Smart TVs that are over 10 years old. Older operating systems are often no longer updated, which prevents the installation of newer versions of applications. Some set-top boxes are also set to lose support, including selected models used in the UK. This continues a trend where, in previous years, Netflix removed its app from very old devices like Fire TV and first-generation Apple TVs without the tvOS system.
For most users, the change won't be painful. Cheap streaming devices today offer better picture quality, support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and lower energy consumption than old consoles. The discontinuation of support for PS3 is more of a signal that Netflix is consistently distancing itself from outdated infrastructure. The platform is focusing on modern standards and compatibility with current hardware.
Netflix is ending support for PlayStation 3 and some older Smart TVs and set-top boxes from March 2026. This is a natural step towards modernising the ecosystem, although for some it may mean the need to replace their device. The era of the PS3 as a streaming hub is definitively coming to an end.
Source: Reddit
