The fastest way: use your phone to cast to a TV that's already connected
If your TV has a built-in Chromecast, AirPlay, or Miracast receiver — or if you have a Chromecast device, Fire Stick, Roku, or Apple TV plugged in — your phone can send Netflix directly to the screen without touching the TV remote. Open Netflix on your phone, start playing something, tap the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), and select your TV from the list. Your phone becomes the remote.
This works on both Android and iPhone. The cast icon appears in the top right corner of the Netflix app on iPhone, and in the top right or bottom right on Android depending on your phone model and Netflix app version. If you don't see it, your TV or streaming device may not support casting, or it may not be on the same WiFi network as your phone.
The TV itself doesn't need to be on Netflix or any particular input. As long as the streaming device is powered on and connected to WiFi, your phone can reach it. Netflix will start playing on the TV while your phone screen goes dark or shows the playback controls — you can lock your phone and it keeps playing.
Key Takeaways
- Casting from your phone works instantly if your TV has a built-in streaming app or a Chromecast, Fire Stick, Roku, or Apple TV plugged in.
- Your phone and TV must be on the same WiFi network for casting to work.
- The cast icon in the Netflix app lets you send video to your TV and use your phone as a remote.
- If casting doesn't work, check that your streaming device is powered on, connected to WiFi, and that your phone is on the same network.
What to do if your TV doesn't have a streaming device
If your TV is older and doesn't have Netflix built in, and you don't have a separate streaming device, you have two options: buy a streaming device, or connect your phone to the TV with a cable.
A Chromecast (Google's $30 device) plugs into an HDMI port and connects to WiFi. A Fire Stick (Amazon's device, also around $30–40) does the same. A Roku device ranges from $30 to $100 depending on the model. An Apple TV starts at $99. All of these let you cast from your phone. If you already have one of these devices, skip to the casting section above.
If you want to avoid buying hardware, connect your phone directly to the TV with an HDMI adapter. For iPhone, you need a Lightning to HDMI adapter (Apple sells one for $50, or third-party versions for $15–30). For Android, you need a USB-C to HDMI adapter (usually $15–40). Plug the adapter into your phone, plug an HDMI cable into the adapter, and plug the other end into your TV. Switch the TV to the HDMI input where you plugged in the cable. Netflix will play on the TV screen, and your phone controls it. This works even without WiFi.
Connecting through your TV's remote if it has Netflix built in
Many modern TVs — Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, and others — have Netflix installed as an app you can launch from the TV remote. If your TV has a Netflix button or you can find Netflix in the apps menu, you don't need your phone at all. Open Netflix on the TV, sign in with your account, and watch.
To sign in on the TV, you'll usually see a code on screen. Go to netflix.com/login on your phone or computer, enter that code, and your TV logs in automatically. This is faster than typing your password on the TV remote.
If you want to use your phone as a remote for a TV that already has Netflix, you can do that too. Open the Netflix app on your phone, tap the cast icon, and select your TV. Your phone will take over playback even though Netflix is running on the TV itself.
Troubleshooting when casting doesn't appear or doesn't work
The cast icon won't show up if your phone and TV aren't on the same WiFi network. Check that both devices are connected to the same network — look at your phone's WiFi settings and your TV's network settings. Guest networks sometimes don't work for casting; if you're on a guest WiFi, try the main network instead.
If the cast icon appears but selecting your TV does nothing, restart both devices. Turn off the streaming device (or unplug it for 10 seconds), turn off your phone's WiFi and turn it back on, then try again. If Netflix still won't cast, restart your TV itself.
If you see the cast icon but your TV doesn't appear in the list, your streaming device may not be powered on. Check that the device has power — look for a light on the device itself, or check your TV's input to see if the device is showing any picture. If the device is off, turn it on and wait 30 seconds for it to connect to WiFi before trying to cast again.
Some older streaming devices don't support the latest version of Netflix. If casting worked before but stopped, try updating the Netflix app on your phone and the Netflix app on your streaming device (if it has one). Check the device's settings or app store for updates.
Using your phone as a remote after casting starts
Once Netflix is playing on your TV, your phone becomes the remote. Tap the screen to see playback controls — play, pause, skip forward and back, and volume. You can also swipe to adjust brightness or volume without opening the full controls.
You can browse Netflix on your phone while something plays on the TV. Start a show on the TV, then search for something else on your phone and cast it to switch what's playing. Your phone screen can lock and the show keeps playing — casting doesn't stop if you lock your phone or open another app.
If you want to stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Stop casting" or "Disconnect". The show stops on the TV and Netflix closes on the streaming device. If you just close the Netflix app on your phone without disconnecting, the show may keep playing on the TV until it finishes or times out.
Signing in on a shared TV
If multiple people in your household watch Netflix on the same TV, each person can use their own account. When you cast from your phone, Netflix plays under whichever account is signed in on your TV or streaming device.
To switch accounts on the TV, go to the Netflix app settings on the TV itself and sign out, then sign in with a different account. You can also create a profile within one Netflix account so different people have their own watch history and recommendations — this doesn't require signing out.
If you're at someone else's house and want to watch Netflix on their TV, ask them to sign out of their account on the TV or streaming device first. Then sign in with your own account. When you leave, make sure to sign out so your account information isn't left on their device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cast Netflix if my phone and TV are on different WiFi networks?
No. Casting requires both devices to be on the same WiFi network. If you're on a guest network and the TV is on the main network, try connecting your phone to the main network instead. Some routers let you connect multiple devices to the same network even if they're in different rooms.
What if I don't have WiFi but want to watch Netflix on my TV?
Use an HDMI cable adapter to connect your phone directly to the TV. This works without WiFi and doesn't require a streaming device. You'll need a Lightning to HDMI adapter for iPhone or a USB-C to HDMI adapter for Android.
Does casting use a lot of data or battery?
Casting uses WiFi, not cellular data, so it won't count against your phone plan. Battery drain is minimal — your phone is just sending commands to the TV, not streaming the video itself. The TV receives the stream directly from Netflix's servers.
Can I use my phone for something else while Netflix plays on the TV?
Yes. Once casting starts, your phone can lock, you can open other apps, or you can close Netflix entirely. The show keeps playing on the TV. Tap the cast icon again if you need to adjust playback or switch to a different show.
Why does the cast icon sometimes disappear from Netflix?
The cast icon disappears when your phone and TV lose connection to the same WiFi network, or when your streaming device loses power or WiFi. Check that both devices are still connected to the same network and that your streaming device is powered on.