In a move that has caught millions of its subscribers off guard, streaming giant Netflix has silently disabled the popular feature that allowed users to cast content from their mobile phones to most smart television sets. The change, which appears to have been implemented over recent weeks, has sparked significant frustration among users in India and globally who relied on the convenience of casting.
What Exactly Has Changed with Netflix Casting?
The core alteration is stark. Netflix has scaled back its mobile casting support, now restricting the functionality to a very limited set of devices. According to an updated support page first highlighted by Android Authority, the platform now officially supports casting only to third-generation or older Chromecast devices (those without a physical remote), Google Nest Hub Smart Displays, and select cast-enabled models from Vizio and Compal.
This means the cast button within the Netflix mobile app has vanished for the vast majority of modern smart TVs from brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and others. A Netflix customer care representative provided a simple rule of thumb to a user on Reddit: "if the device has its own remote, you can't cast." Essentially, devices that rely on their own native Netflix app, which includes most contemporary smart TVs and streaming boxes, will now require users to navigate using the TV's remote control.
User Backlash and Lack of Warning
The rollout has been notably discreet, with no prior communication to the user base. Many subscribers only discovered the change when they could no longer find the familiar cast icon on their phone screens. Reports from Indian users indicate the feature was removed sometime in November 2025, arriving as an unwelcome surprise.
This is not the first time Netflix has pared back device interoperability. The company had previously removed support for AirPlay on iOS devices and the Google TV app. Furthermore, the support page outlines additional restrictions: users on the ad-supported subscription plan cannot use their TV as a display for mobile content, and casting is blocked if the mobile device and the receiver are not on the same Wi-Fi network.
Netflix's Stated Reason and the Road Ahead
Netflix has offered minimal explanation for this significant functional reduction. The company's official stance, as per its support documentation, is that the move is intended to "improve the customer experience." However, this rationale has done little to appease affected users who now find their viewing habits disrupted.
The practical impact for Indian households is substantial. The convenience of using a smartphone as a unified remote for searching, browsing, and playing content on the big screen has been severed for most setups. Users are now forced to use often clunky TV remote interfaces or invest in compatible older-generation Chromecast dongles to regain the casting functionality.
As of December 2025, the change is active, and there is no indication from Netflix that it plans to reverse its decision. Subscribers are advised to check their device compatibility directly on Netflix's help pages and prepare to adapt to navigating directly via their TV remote for their streaming sessions.
