JAKARTA - Netflix's surprising decision to remove the Google Cast feature in December 2025 had raised big questions for loyal users of smart TV devices. Without any official announcement beforehand, the feature that allows users to move viewing from a mobile phone to a television screen suddenly disappeared. A recent report now reveals the reason behind the move: the habit of casting has begun to be abandoned by most users.
According to a report from Janko Roettgers via the Lowpass newsletter, the popularity of using the cast feature has continued to decline significantly in recent years. Although Google is recorded as having sold more than 100 million Chromecast-branded devices before finally introducing the Google TV Streamer as its replacement in 2024, consumer behavior patterns have shifted drastically.
Data collected in the report shows a staggering figure. A streaming service operator revealed to Roettgers at the CES that currently only about 10% of Android users are still actively using casting services. This figure indicates a sharp decline compared to its heyday in the mid-2010s.
"The process of watching streaming content is now much more practical than before," the report notes. The improved user interface (UI) on Smart TVs and set-top box devices today has provided a very seamless and instant experience. This makes the casting method - which requires users to manually connect their phone to the TV - feel like an ancient technology for the majority of modern consumers.
Service Efficiency and New Focus of NetflixAlthough Netflix did not explicitly state that "no one uses the feature anymore," the trend of declining user data is the most reasonable reason why Google Cast support is no longer maintained. As a platform available on almost all types of electronic devices, Netflix seems to see little urgency to continue to maintain the feature just for a small handful of old users.
Roettgers also pointed to another possibility where Netflix may be shifting the focus of smartphone use in a more interactive direction. Instead of just being a content delivery tool, Netflix is rumored to want to make the phone a controller for new features, such as Jackbox-style party games that are starting to invade their platform.
On the other hand, industry efforts to revive similar technology through open protocols such as Matter Casting from the Connectivity Standard Alliance have also not yielded satisfactory results. Device support is currently very limited to several Amazon products. In fact, consumers are often confused by the "Matter" standard branding on smart TVs, which actually refers to smart home integration, not casting capabilities.
While casting technology may not be completely extinct in the near future, its significance in the mainstream market has faded. For users who are still heavily reliant on this feature, it seems like it's time to start looking for other alternatives or get used to using the app directly on their television operating system to enjoy entertainment.
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