Netflix has now stopped AirPlay support on Apple TV citing technical limitations. So now, when you try to AirPlay a video from iPhone or iPad to your Apple TV, it just won’t play. But not all is lost. If you’re trying to AirPlay content from your phone, your biggest reason might be the need to control playback from the iPhone itself. There are a couple of ways to can keep this experience going. Here’s how you can mirror Netflix from your iPhone to TV.
Mirror Netflix from iPhone to Your TV
Using Chromecast
The most reliable way of getting an AirPlay-like experience for Netflix is by buying a Chromecast. A Chromecast is Google’s streaming device. At around $30, it’s quite cheap. It doesn’t have a remote and is very simple to use. Once it’s set up and active, you’ll see a Cast icon in the Netflix app at the top.
Tap on it, and select your Chromecast. Now, anything you play on the Netflix app will be played on your TV via Chromecast. And you’ll be able to control the playback using your iPhone or iPad (similar to AirPlay).
There’s only a technical difference here. When you’re using AirPlay, the video is actually going through your device. On Chromecast, it’s directly going through the Chromecast device, connected to the web. This leads to a faster, more reliable connection.
Buy: Chromecast ($35)
Use Your Smart TV’s Netflix App
If you own a smart TV, no matter how old, chances are that you’ll have a Netflix app in there. If it’s not installed already, you can download it from the library. After that, log in with your account and start streaming.
But you might not like the experience of using your TV’s remote to navigate the Netflix app. If so, use the Netflix 2nd Screen experience outlined below.
Using Netflix’s 2nd Screen Experience
A myriad of devices supports Netflix’s 2nd Screen experience. What this means is, you can turn the first device (your iPhone or iPad) into a remote for a second device which is the one playing the Netflix media.
For this to work, both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network and logged into the same account. A majority of Smart TVs, Play Station and more support this feature.
To find out of your device does or not, open the Netflix app on your TV (or device connected to your TV) and then open the Netflix app on your iPhone. Tap on the Cast button that appears on the top toolbar. If you see your device listed here, it means the 2nd Screen feature is supported.
Tap on it and now both your devices will be connected. Continue to browse around on your iPhone and when you finally find something that you like, tap on it. The playback will start instantly on your TV!
Other Methods to Watch Netflix on Your TV
Use an HDMI Cable and Your Laptop
If all fails, this is something that will still work, reliably. Just connect an HDMI cable from your Mac or Windows laptop to your TV. Then open the Netflix window in your browser. Make it full screen and as long as you’re in mirroring mode, you should see the content, along with the sound, coming through from the TV.
Miracast From Android Or Windows
You can think of Miracast as the new, wireless format of HDMI. If the technology is built into your Android phone, Windows PC and your TV, you can get Chromecast like casting feature without the need for any additional hardware. Just check online if Mircast is supported on your devices. And then like always, use the Cast button to connect to the available devices on your Wi-Fi network.
Mirror Using Google Chromecast on Mac
You might not know this but Netflix officially supports Google Chromecast is the Chrome browser as well. Make sure you’re running the latest version of Google Chrome which comes with Google Cast feature built-in. Then open Netflix in your browser, start playing something and then click on the Cast button to send it to your TV. You can continue to control the playback using Google Chrome on your computer.
How Do You Use Netflix On Your TV?
As you can see, even though Netflix has ended AirPlay support, it doesn’t mean all is lost. There are still many ways you watch Netflix on your TV where you can control it from your iPhone.
How do you watch Netflix? Share with us in the comments below.
