Netflix has quietly discontinued the ability to cast content from mobile devices to most modern televisions and streaming devices, forcing users to navigate directly through their TV remotes instead.

The streaming giant confirmed the change through an updated help page, stating that “Netflix no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices.”

The restriction particularly affects users with Google TV Streamer, Chromecast with Google TV, and Android TV-powered televisions.

Limited casting functionality remains available for older Chromecast devices and TVs supporting Google Cast, but only for subscribers on ad-free plans.

Netflix’s ad-supported tier appears to have lost casting capabilities entirely.

The rollback began appearing in mid-November when users first reported the missing cast button in their Netflix mobile apps.

Testing confirms that even with an ad-free subscription and the latest iOS app version, many Android TV devices no longer appear as casting options.

The move eliminates a popular navigation method where users could browse Netflix’s catalogue on their phones before sending content to larger screens.

Mobile scrolling also offered faster navigation for resuming partially-watched content compared to using TV remotes.

Netflix justified the decision by stating it occasionally removes features with limited usage to reallocate development resources.

This follows a similar pattern from 2019 when the company removed AirPlay support, citing “technical limitations.”

The change affects millions of households globally who rely on mobile casting for convenience, particularly when managing multiple user profiles or quickly searching Netflix’s extensive library.

Users must now adapt to navigating exclusively through their television interfaces, potentially slowing content discovery and playback control.

For Australian subscribers paying between $9.99 and $28.99 monthly, depending on their plan, the feature removal represents a reduction in functionality without any corresponding price adjustment.