**In a quiet but significant shift, Netflix has disabled the feature allowing subscribers to cast content directly from their mobile devices to most modern TVs and streaming dongles. The change, which appears to have taken effect over the last few weeks, has been met with confusion and frustration from users who relied on their phones as a primary remote for initiating a stream.**

The updated support page, first noticed by Android Authority, now explicitly states that the streaming giant "no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device" to the majority of devices. Instead of tapping a cast icon on their phone, users are now instructed to launch and navigate Netflix directly using the remote control that came with their television or streaming hardware.

While the mobile casting feature has been largely shelved, a small segment of the subscriber base is still able to use the functionality, albeit with strict conditions:

**Legacy Hardware Only**: Casting is now confined to older Chromecast models or smart TVs that feature native Google Cast support.

**The Ad-Free Divide**: Critically, this limited casting functionality is now exclusive to subscribers on Netflix’s pricier, ad-free tiers (starting at $17.99 per month). Those on the budget-friendly, ad-supported plan ($7.99 per month) have lost casting support entirely, regardless of the casting device they own.

As reports of the feature loss started circulating on platforms like Reddit as early as November 10th, many users noted the lack of any official communication from Netflix. The company’s support page offers no explanation for the change.

This move echoes Netflix's decision in 2019 to pull support for AirPlay. At that time, the company cited a need to "ensure our standard of quality for viewing is being met," suggesting that controlling the quality and experience on third-party casting protocols may be a factor in the recent decision as well.

Whatever the reason, the sudden disappearance of the mobile casting option forces a behavioral change for millions of users and creates a new, functional divide between Netflix’s subscription tiers.

📺 Feature Freeze: Netflix Drops Mobile Casting for Most Users