Netflix Ends Google Cast Support in Mobile App

Netflix ended support for Google Cast in its mobile app late last year, a move that has prevented millions of users from streaming shows and movies directly from their smartphones to most televisions and streaming devices. The change, which took effect quietly without an official explanation at the time, affects both Android and iOS users, though older Chromecast devices that rely solely on casting continue to function for now.

The decision appears driven by a sharp decline in the feature's usage. According to a recent report, only about 10 percent of Android users still rely on casting to access streaming services, a significant drop from its popularity in the mid-2010s when it served as a quicker alternative to navigating early smart TV interfaces. Streaming service operators have noted that improved user interfaces on modern smart TVs and set-top boxes, such as Roku and Fire TV devices, have made direct app access more seamless and convenient. "Netflix no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices," the company stated in an announcement following the removal. "You'll need to use the remote that came with your TV or TV-streaming...