The days of use of your phone like a Netflix the remote controls are actually finished. In a move that has confused subscribers since reports first surfaced on Reddit in early November, Netflix appears to be blocking the ability to transmit content wirelessly from your phone to your computer. TV.
CNET testing has confirmed that the option has disappeared from newer setups, like LG TVs, although some people say it’s still accessible through older versions of the app and older Chromecast dongles.
A Netflix representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, on a Netflix Help Center page, the company appears to encourage customers to use the built-in Netflix apps for TVs and devices.
Until streaming The giant explains why, the new rule is simple: if you want to watch on the big screen, you must launch the application directly from the big screen.
According to the Netflix Help Center page, only those not on a basic ad-supported plan can still access the feature for older devices, such as Chromecasts. The help page explicitly mentions the few devices that still support streaming with Netflix:
- Chromecast 3rd generation or older (no remote)
- Google Nest Hub smart display
- Some Vizio TVs
- Some Compal televisions
If you’re planning to get around Netflix’s casting ban with screen mirroringyou’re probably out of luck. Netflix’s help page specifically mentions that users on ad-supported plans will not have access to “streaming or mirroring” even for older devices.
When we tried to mirror the screen of an iPhone 17 Pro running iOS 26.1 to a TCL TV, we received the following “E100” error using a Netflix Standard plan (no ads).
We received this error message when we tried to mirror an iPhone screen to a TCL TV.
Netflix’s decision to end casting comes as movie and TV services (and music services like Spotify) are regularly increasing their pricesleading some viewers to cancel streaming services to save money.
