According to Android Police, Netflix has quietly updated its support documentation to confirm it is ending support for casting from its mobile app to newer Chromecast and Google Cast-compatible TVs and streaming devices. The change, which was first noticed by frustrated Redditors in late March 2025, removes the Cast button entirely for users with newer hardware, regardless of their subscription plan. Instead, Netflix is directing all those users to launch the native Netflix app on their TV or streaming device using their remote. The casting option reportedly remains functional only on older Chromecasts and TVs that lack a native Netflix app. This follows Netflix’s 2019 decision to kill AirPlay support, making it clear the company is systematically moving away from device-agnostic casting features.
Why kill a beloved feature?
So, why would Netflix remove a feature that’s so widely used and appreciated? On the surface, it seems incredibly user-hostile. Casting is simple and convenient—you find something on your phone and just fling it to the big screen. But from Netflix’s perspective, there are some big, corporate-shaped reasons. The official support page doesn’t give a reason, but the logic isn’t hard to guess.
Here’s the thing: when you cast, you’re using a more generic protocol. When you use the native Netflix app on, say, a Google TV or a smart TV, Netflix has far more control. They can fine-tune the video bitrate for stability, potentially implement newer codecs like AV1 more efficiently, and most importantly, enforce much stronger DRM. They also get richer, more detailed analytics on exactly how you’re using the app on that specific platform. Basically, they trade your convenience for their control and data.
A frustrating pattern of control
This isn’t Netflix’s first move in this direction. Killing AirPlay support back in 2019 was the opening shot. Now, with casting on the chopping block for modern devices, the trajectory is obvious. They want you in their walled garden app on every platform. It’s a shift from being a service you can access from anywhere to being an experience they tightly manage on each device.
And let’s be clear: this is different from when they blocked casting for ad-tier subscribers. That was a monetization limit. This is a full-on feature removal based on your hardware. If you have a newer Chromecast with Google TV, you’re out of luck, even if you pay for the Premium 4K plan. It feels arbitrary and, frankly, kind of cheap. The lack of a clear cutoff or explanation just adds to the frustration, as noted in the Reddit threads where users first discovered the change.
What this means for the streaming wars
Look, other major streamers haven’t followed suit—yet. Disney+, Max, Hulu, they all still let you cast freely. But Netflix has always been the trendsetter, for better or worse. If they get away with this without a major subscriber backlash, you can bet other services will look at their own analytics and DRM teams and start asking, “Why are we still supporting this?”
The push toward native apps also highlights the increasing importance of the device platform itself. It’s a subtle win for Google, Roku, Amazon, and Apple, as it funnels more engagement through their operating systems. For the user, though, it’s a step back. It fragments the experience and removes a universal, simple way to watch. You’ll now need to remember which device requires which method. It’s a hassle, plain and simple. And in the competitive streaming market, removing convenience is always a risky gamble.
