Katarzyna Petru
Netflix has officially confirmed that it is withdrawing support for Google Cast (Chromecast). If your TV or dongle has its own remote, you can no longer cast a movie or series directly from the Netflix app on your phone, tablet, or computer. This is another step in the "killing off" of casting – the same feature that Netflix abandoned for Apple AirPlay back in 2019.
Netflix disables Google Cast – what does it mean?
In recent weeks, users have noticed that after updating the Netflix app, the casting icon has disappeared. The Verge and Android Authority confirmed that the feature has stopped working on Google TV devices and Chromecast with Google TV. FlatpanelsHD tested the same on multiple receivers in their home network – the result was identical. Netflix states directly in its support documentation:
“Netflix no longer supports casting from mobile devices to most TVs and streaming devices. You must use the remote that comes with the TV or streaming device to access Netflix.”
Furthermore, the company is conveying a simple rule to users:
“If your device has its own remote, you cannot cast.”
Why is casting disappearing?
Casting still works – but only temporarily – on traditional Chromecast sticks and on some TVs with built-in Google Cast. However, it’s a matter of time, as Google ceased production of traditional Chromecasts back in September 2022. Netflix apparently decided that it’s time to move towards full applications on devices, where the remote control is used instead of a phone. In practice, this means that:
Netflix wants to unify the way the applications are operated,
the casting system is becoming outdated and problematic for them,
users are meant to use the native Netflix interface on the TV, rather than treating their phone as a remote control.
What do you need to do as a user?
If you’ve been using casting, you currently have only one option: to run Netflix directly on the TV or set-top box and control the app with the remote. Casting from your phone is no longer supported and will be phased out from upcoming devices. This is a significant change in the way the platform is used – Netflix is now closing one of the most convenient ways to play content. How long will casting work on older Chromecasts? Probably not for much longer. Netflix makes it clear: the future is the remote, not the phone.
