Alternatives to Casting: How to Control Netflix Playback Without Mobile Casting

Fed up with Netflix mobile casting disappearing? Here’s how to take back playback control

If you’re one of the many viewers who relied on tapping a Netflix icon on your phone and sending the show to the big screen, the sudden removal of Netflix mobile casting in early 2026 hit like a power outage. You’re not alone: the change broke a fast, frictionless way to start and control playback—and it left users asking where to stream, how to control playback without swapping remotes, and whether there are any reliable workarounds.

Short answer: yes — you have options. This guide walks through current supported casting devices, practical alternatives (AirPlay, built-in apps, HDMI, legacy Chromecast), device-by-device workarounds, and pro tips to make playback as seamless as the old casting flow.

"Casting is dead. Long live casting!" — the slogan that’s been rolling across tech feeds since Netflix announced its shift in January 2026.

What changed — and why it matters now (2026 context)

In late 2025 and into January 2026, Netflix quietly removed the ability to cast directly from its mobile apps to the majority of smart TVs and streaming sticks. The company signaled a move toward native app experiences and remote-first control, leaving mobile casting supported only on a narrow set of devices: certain legacy Chromecast dongles (those that shipped without a remote), Nest Hub smart displays, and a handful of Vizio and Compal TVs. For many users this meant losing the familiar second-screen playback controls and the ability to quickly queue episodes from a phone.

Industry context in 2026 shows two clear trends that explain Netflix’s move: (1) platform owners are prioritizing robust native apps and unified device ecosystems, and (2) voice and remote control features have matured, reducing the perceived need for phone-as-cast devices. But for viewers who value quick mobile control, there are still practical, reliable alternatives.

Quick overview: Your reliable Netflix casting alternatives

• AirPlay (iPhone/iPad → Apple TV or AirPlay 2 TVs) — best for Apple users who want second-screen control without losing video quality.
• Built-in Netflix app on smart TVs and streaming devices — the most stable method; your phone can become a remote through device companion apps.
• HDMI (wired) — laptop or phone → TV via HDMI/USB-C adapter for rock-solid playback.
• Legacy Chromecast dongles and supported smart displays — limited casting support remains on older Chromecast units and Nest Hub.
• Companion remote apps & voice assistants — use Roku, Fire TV, Android TV/Google TV, or Samsung/LG companion apps and voice control to mimic cast-like controls.

Who still supports casting (as of Jan 2026)

Netflix’s official change narrowed mobile casting support. Currently supported for the traditional mobile-cast paradigm are:

• Legacy Chromecast adapters — older Chromecast dongles that shipped without a remote (the ones built primarily around casting rather than a remote-driven UI).
• Nest Hub smart displays — still accept cast-style playback control from mobile devices in many setups.
• Select Vizio and Compal smart TV models — some legacy models retain compatibility.

For everyone else — Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, modern Chromecast with Google TV, Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, Xbox, PlayStation, and most modern smart TVs — you’ll use the native Netflix app or one of the methods below.

Method 1 — AirPlay: the best experience for Apple users

If you own an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or an AirPlay 2–enabled smart TV (many Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio models in recent years), AirPlay is the closest analogue to the old cast flow. It preserves quality, supports subtitles, and allows your device to act as a playback controller.

How to use AirPlay (quick steps)

1. Make sure your iPhone/iPad and the Apple TV/AirPlay TV are on the same Wi‑Fi network.
2. Open the Netflix app on your iPhone or iPad and start the show.
3. Tap the screen, choose the AirPlay icon, and select your Apple TV or AirPlay-enabled TV.
4. Use the phone as a remote for play/pause, scrubbing, subtitles, and episode selection.

Pros

• High-quality audio and video, minimal lag.
• Subtitles and audio track controls available.
• Works well for screen mirroring if you need to show the whole device.

Cons

• Apple ecosystem preference — Android users can’t use AirPlay natively.
• Some TVs require enabling AirPlay in settings.

Method 2 — Use the TV or streaming-device Netflix app (the most stable option)

The simplest and most reliable method is to use the built-in Netflix app on your TV or streaming device (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV/Android TV, Samsung Tizen, LG webOS). Once you’re in the app, you can control playback with the device remote — but you can regain smartphone-style control using the platform’s companion app or voice assistant.

How to control playback from your phone via companion apps

• Install the device’s companion app: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google Home (for Google TV/Android TV devices), Samsung SmartThings, LG ThinQ. Streamers and creators who rely on companion tooling often reference similar companion workflows in streamer toolkits.
• Pair the phone app to your TV or streamer on the same Wi‑Fi network.
• Open the Netflix app on the TV, then use the companion app to navigate, play/pause, and type search queries faster than the physical remote.

Why this often beats casting

Using the native app reduces transcoding or re-streaming overhead. It also keeps profile data, watchlists, and “continue watching” sync intact. In 2026, streaming services have improved their TV apps so that remote-first features (resume, profiles, downloads) are more seamless than ever.

Method 3 — Wired HDMI (the least finicky)

When reliability is the priority — or when Wi‑Fi/livestreaming is spotty — connect a laptop, phone, or tablet directly to the TV with HDMI. For phones and modern laptops that don’t have an HDMI port, use a USB‑C → HDMI adapter.

When to use HDMI

• Traveling or staying in a hotel with unreliable Wi‑Fi
• Needing consistent 4K/HDR output for movies
• When casting features behave inconsistently

Pro tips for HDMI

• Set the TV to the correct input before launching video.
• Use a high-quality HDMI 2.0/2.1 cable for 4K60 and HDR.
• On phones, ensure the battery is healthy or keep it plugged in—video output can drain power fast.

Method 4 — Legacy Chromecast & supported smart displays

If you have one of the older Chromecast dongles (the pre-Google TV models that didn't include a remote), you may still be able to cast from the Netflix mobile app. Nest Hub smart displays and a few Vizio/Compal TVs also preserve cast support. That makes these devices the only ones that behave like the pre‑2026 cast experience. Coverage and compatibility have been discussed widely since the change — see the analysis of the end of casting for industry context.

What to watch for

• These devices are increasingly rare and may stop being supported over time.
• Firmware updates from Google, TV OEMs, or Netflix could further narrow or expand compatibility — keep devices updated, but expect eventual phase-out.

Workarounds and hacks (when official options aren’t enough)

If you still crave a phone-centric workflow, try one of these practical workarounds. They range from simple to technical but are effective.

1. Use the streaming device’s remote app as a pseudo-cast controller

Install Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Google Home to control the TV app from your phone. It won’t re-stream from your phone, but it does let you type, navigate, and control playback faster than the physical remote.

2. Voice control + automation

• Set up Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri shortcuts for quick playback commands: "Alexa, open Netflix and play Stranger Things on Living Room TV."
• Use routines to switch inputs, lower lights, or start a playlist—this can recreate a one-tap start experience.

3. Third-party IR/Bluetooth bridges and smart hubs

Devices like BroadLink, Hubitat, or advanced universal remotes can accept phone commands and translate them to IR for older TVs. They require setup but can restore a single-device control surface that feels like casting.

4. Browser → TV via Chromecast from desktop

If mobile casting is blocked but Chrome on desktop still offers cast, you can use a laptop to cast a browser tab to some devices. Caveat: functionality varies and Netflix may block tab casting for DRM reasons on some devices—consider HDMI as a more reliable backup. Streamers sometimes use desktop-to-device flows in companion toolkits such as the Streamer Toolkit.

Troubleshooting: common playback-control problems and fixes

Here are the issues users report most often after the casting change and practical fixes that work across devices.

Problem: Phone companion app won’t pair with TV

• Ensure both devices are on the same Wi‑Fi network and the TV’s network isolation features aren’t blocking discovery.
• Restart the app and the TV or streamer.
• Update the companion app, the TV firmware, and the Netflix app. For hub and companion-app patterns, see tips in the Hybrid Studio Playbook.

Problem: AirPlay black screen or audio-only

• Confirm the TV supports AirPlay 2 and that AirPlay is enabled in TV settings.
• Toggle Wi‑Fi off/on on the phone, and restart the receiving device.
• Check for DRM restrictions—some content may restrict AirPlay depending on rights.

Problem: Stuttering or buffering after switching to native app

• Run a speed test on your TV’s network. Netflix recommends 25 Mbps for 4K.
• Reduce competing Wi‑Fi traffic or move the router closer, or use Ethernet to the TV/streamer.
• Lower streaming quality in Netflix settings if bandwidth is limited.

Problem: Remote app controls lag or don’t respond

• Ensure the companion app has proper permissions (local network access on iOS, Wi‑Fi on Android).
• Restart the TV/streamer to clear stale pairing states.
• Check for firmware updates on the streaming device — manufacturers increasingly patch companion-app compatibility.

Device-buying advice for the post-cast era (2026 buying guide)

If you’re shopping for a TV or streamer and want the smoothest Netflix experience with flexible phone control, prioritize:

• Robust native Netflix app — test the app UI in-store, if possible, or check recent user reviews for responsiveness.
• Active firmware support — prefer brands that push regular updates (Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV partners).
• Good companion apps — Roku and Fire TV apps are especially solid for turning a phone into a remote and keyboard; streamers reference companion workflows in the Streamer Toolkit.
• AirPlay 2 support if you’re in the Apple ecosystem.
• Ethernet port or strong Wi‑Fi to avoid buffering during high-bit-rate streams (4K HDR).

Advanced workflows for power users

If you like automation, here are ways to reconstruct a one-tap, phone-first viewing ritual using modern tools.

• Create a Siri Shortcut or Google Assistant Routine that opens Netflix on your TV, plays a specific profile, and starts your “watchlist” playlist.
• Use Home Assistant or Hubitat to build a scene that dims lights, turns the TV to the right input, and launches Netflix with a single button on an automation-enabled remote or a phone widget.
• For multiroom audio and sync, use devices that support eARC/HDMI passthrough and platform-native audio sync features to avoid lip-sync drift when using external speakers — consider pairing with dedicated small speakers; see a roundup of best Bluetooth micro speakers for suitable options.

Actionable takeaways — make playback seamless today

• Install the companion app for your TV or streamer — it’s the fastest path to phone-based control without casting.
• Enable AirPlay if you’re on iPhone and have an Apple TV or AirPlay 2–enabled TV.
• Keep firmware and apps updated — many control bugs are solved by vendor updates in 2025–2026.
• Use wired HDMI when reliability matters (travel, unreliable Wi‑Fi, or 4K HDR playback).
• Consider automation to recreate the “one-tap” convenience of casting via routines or smart-hub scenes (see automation playbooks).

Why this matters long-term: streaming trends into 2026

Streaming companies are consolidating control around native apps and ecosystem-level integrations. That means better app experiences on TVs and smart devices, faster access to device-level features (Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision), and deeper voice/remote integrations. For users, the upside is higher-quality playback and more consistent UI. The downside is losing a universal, cross-device “cast” control surface that phones used to provide.

Expect device makers and third-party app developers to fill the gap: more powerful companion apps, smarter voice routines, and hubs that translate phone commands into remote actions will continue to appear throughout 2026.

Final word

You don’t have to accept a clunky TV experience just because Netflix pruned mobile casting. Between AirPlay, robust native apps, HDMI, legacy casting where available, and practical automation, you can rebuild a fast, phone-centered playback workflow that feels familiar and dependable.

Start with the simplest steps: update your apps, install your streamer’s companion app, and test AirPlay or HDMI. From there, add automation or a smart hub if you want a true one-tap launch experience.

Next steps — try this now

1. Open Netflix on your TV and confirm the app launches and your profile is available.
2. Install the companion remote app on your phone and pair it.
3. If you’re on iPhone, test AirPlay with a short clip; if it fails, check TV AirPlay settings and firmware.

Want more tailored help? Tell us the devices in your living room in the comments or below, and we’ll walk through a step-by-step setup tailored to your gear.

Call to action: If this helped, bookmark our Where-to-Watch guides and subscribe for weekly updates—we’ll keep tracking Netflix’s playback policy changes and publish device-specific walkthroughs as 2026 unfolds.

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