Netflix has discreetly removed a widely used feature that allowed subscribers to cast content directly from their smartphones to television screens. The move, which was implemented without formal announcement last month, has provoked significant frustration among the streaming giant's user base.
What Exactly Has Changed?
The popular casting function, which let users beam shows and films from their Netflix mobile app to a larger TV screen via a single tap, has now been discontinued for the majority of modern television sets and streaming devices. This includes newer Google Chromecast dongles and Google TV models.
Instead, viewers must now navigate to the Netflix app directly on their television using the TV's own remote control and sign into their account there. The only exceptions are users with older hardware, specifically the original Chromecast from 2013 or early Google TV streamers with integrated Google Cast support.
Furthermore, the casting feature is now exclusively reserved for customers on Netflix's premium, ad-free subscription tiers, which start at £10.99 per month in the UK. This effectively blocks millions of subscribers on cheaper, ad-supported plans from using the function at all.
A Wave of User Backlash
The policy shift, discovered by users in mid-November when the feature stopped working, has ignited a storm of criticism on social media and forums. Many perceive it as a deliberate move to complicate account sharing and push users towards more expensive subscriptions.
"First password sharing, now no casting. Netflix is speed-running how to annoy its entire user base," one customer stated on X, formerly Twitter. Another commented on The Verge, "Genuinely cancelling my subscription over this. What are they thinking????"
The change severely impacts casual viewing scenarios. Previously, a user could visit a friend's house, connect to the Wi-Fi, and instantly cast a show to a compatible TV. Now, they must fully log into their Netflix account on the friend's television using its remote, which triggers the platform's strict "one household" rules.
This can lead to verification requests, playback blocks, or warnings about extra member fees unless the primary account holder pays for an additional slot. Users must also remember to log out afterwards to avoid hitting device limits and getting locked out of their own home setup.
Broader Implications and Historical Context
For users with projectors or TVs without a built-in Netflix app, the change is particularly problematic. "Casting is literally the only way for me to watch Netflix on my projector. It doesn't have Netflix built-in, so 'using the controller' isn't even an option," a frustrated Reddit user explained.
Others expressed dismay at the perceived waste, with one social media user noting, "Customer support said I should buy new hardware. I guess I just pray they don't drop support for the new hardware in 3 years?"
This is not the first time Netflix has restricted casting capabilities. Back in 2019, the company similarly ended support for Apple's AirPlay feature, preventing iPhone and iPad users from wirelessly streaming Netflix to Apple TVs, a decision that forced users towards dedicated apps or cables.
With over 300 million global subscribers, Netflix's latest decision is seen by many as another step in a series of consumer-unfriendly changes, following its crackdown on password sharing, which continues to shape how audiences access and share content in the UK and worldwide.
