Netflix has quietly rolled out a baffling change: the streaming giant has disabled casting from mobile devices to most smart TVs and TV streaming devices, including popular hardware like Google TV Streamer and older Chromecast models with remotes.

Surprisingly, the only devices that still support casting are the older Chromecast units without remotes — the classic dongles that rely entirely on your phone for control. In short:

Devices with a remote → Casting disabled

Older Chromecasts without a remote → Casting still works

Netflix claims the move is meant to “improve the customer experience”, but the explanation has left many users confused, especially since navigating via casting can often be more convenient and responsive than older TV apps.

This restriction applies across all Netflix plans, including the premium tiers. It’s not limited to the ad-supported or budget subscriptions.

For now, users affected by the change will need to rely on their TV’s native Netflix app or alternative streaming methods, as the company has provided no further clarification on why the casting feature was pulled.