Five Tech Alternatives for Casting After Netflix’s Move

Feeling cut off from the TV because Netflix pulled phone casting? You’re not alone — and you don’t need to buy an expensive Apple TV to get control back.

In January 2026 Netflix quietly removed broad phone-to-TV casting support from its mobile apps, leaving bargain hunters and streaming fans scrambling for replacements. If you relied on "tap to cast" to queue shows, scrubbable second-screen controls, or to hand a video from your phone to the big screen during a party, this change is painful — but not terminal.

Executive summary: Five affordable casting alternatives (fast)

• Roku Streaming Stick / Express — Native Netflix app + robust mobile remote; best budget native-app replacement (~$29–$49).
• Amazon Fire TV Stick — Alexa voice and mobile remote; great for Amazon users (~$29–$59).
• Miracast / HDMI wireless display adapters (Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter, AnyCast) — Screen-mirroring fallback when apps block casting (~$25–$70).
• Universal-remote hubs & IR blasters (BroadLink RM4 Pro, SofaBaton) — Turn your phone into the TV remote and build macros (~$25–$80).
• DIY Raspberry Pi (Kodi/LibreELEC + inputstream.adaptive) — Tinkerers’ alternative: run Netflix and remote-control stacks locally (~$40–$120 parts + time).

Why this matters in 2026

Streaming makers are shifting toward native-app, remote-first experiences with stricter DRM and tighter device policies. Netflix’s Jan 2026 change — removing broad casting support from its mobile apps — accelerated a trend toward built-in TV apps and voice/remote control. For value shoppers: that means your best move is often a cheap streaming stick or a small hub that restores second-screen control without breaking the bank.

How to pick an alternative: the quick checklist

• Do you want native Netflix playback on the TV (no phone streaming)? Choose a streaming stick with the Netflix app.
• Do you need phone-as-remote features (queue, subtitles, scrubbing)? Look for a device with a strong mobile remote app.
• Are you comfortable tinkering? Raspberry Pi gives flexibility but requires setup time.
• Do you want universal control for cable boxes, TV, and soundbar too? Consider an IR/hub solution.

Deep dive: Five practical alternatives — prices, features, steps, and who should buy

1) Roku Streaming Stick 4K / Roku Express — Best cheap native-app replacement

Price: Roku Express ~ $29; Roku Streaming Stick 4K ~ $49 (MSRP guidance, early 2026).

Why it replaces casting: Roku runs Netflix natively, so you don’t need to “cast.” The Roku mobile app becomes your second-screen controller: it provides a remote UI, private listening, voice search, and quick app launching.

Core features:

• Native Netflix app (no casting required)
• Phone-as-remote with scrubber and keyboard
• Private listening via headphones (compatible with many earbuds and portable power setups)
• Low cost, frequent discounts and bundles for deal hunters

Set-up (3 minutes):

1. Plug the Roku into HDMI and power, follow on-screen Wi‑Fi setup.
2. Install the Roku app on your phone and sign in with the same Roku account.
3. Open the app, tap Remote — your phone becomes the remote with scrubbing/keyboard.

Pros: cheap, reliable, great mobile app. Cons: no Chromecast-style "hand off" — content must be opened in the TV app.

Best for: budget-conscious users who want a simple, plug-and-play fix and frequent deals.

2) Amazon Fire TV Stick (including 4K) — Best if you use Alexa and Amazon ecosystem

Price: Fire TV Stick Lite ~ $29; Fire TV Stick 4K ~ $49–$59.

Why it replaces casting: Like Roku, Fire TV runs Netflix natively — plus the Fire TV mobile app gives you remote control, voice input via Alexa, and a keyboard for fast typing.

Core features:

• Native app playback and OS-level voice control
• Mobile remote app with keyboard and scrubbing
• Alexa integration for voice commands ("Play Stranger Things")

Set-up (4 minutes):

1. Plug in Fire TV stick and complete on-screen setup with Amazon account.
2. Install the Fire TV app on your phone, pair it with the TV device.
3. Use the app’s remote tab or ask Alexa on-device for hands-free control.

Pros: tight Amazon integration, voice convenience. Cons: interface favors Amazon content; occasional sponsored rows.

Best for: Amazon Prime members and households that value Alexa voice control.

3) Miracast / HDMI wireless display adapters — Quick mirror fallback

Price: Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter ~ $49–$69; generic AnyCast dongles available for $20–$40.

Why it replaces casting: Mirroring sends your phone/tablet screen to the TV. If Netflix’s cast button is gone, mirroring is an immediate fallback for showing content on a big screen.

Core features & caveats:

• Mirrors entire device screen (not a native app handoff)
• Works best with Windows PCs and some Android phones (Android support varies by model)
• DRM limitations: many streaming apps reduce resolution or block HD when mirrored; Netflix and other DRM-heavy apps may limit quality

Set-up (typical):

1. Plug adapter into HDMI and USB power on the TV; switch to that HDMI input.
2. From your phone or PC, initiate wireless display / screen cast to the adapter.
3. Play content; use your phone as a remote (but expect potential quality limits due to DRM).

Pros: inexpensive and immediate; no need to install apps on TV. Cons: possible lower resolution and occasional app blocking; higher latency for games. Best for: one-off sharing during calls, videos, or short sessions where you don’t need guaranteed 4K/DRM performance — think of this as a quick dongle solution similar to a monitor accessory for casual setups.

4) IR/Hub universal remotes and network hubs (BroadLink, SofaBaton, etc.) — Make your phone the master remote

Price: BroadLink RM4 Pro ~ $35–$60; SofaBaton hubs/remotes range ~$30–$80.

Why it replaces casting: These devices let your phone mimic the TV’s physical remote over Wi‑Fi/IR. That restores scrubbing/play/pause without relying on app-level casting and can control cable boxes, AVRs, and old TVs.

Core features:

• Replicates IR and RF signals so you can control legacy devices
• Create macros and routines (turn on TV > set HDMI > start Netflix app)
• Works even for devices whose apps were crippled after casting changes

Set-up (high-level):

1. Plug the IR hub into power and connect it to Wi‑Fi.
2. Install the hub’s companion app and teach it your device remotes or choose from built-in profiles.
3. Use the phone app to send remote commands, scripts, or automations.

Pros: controls everything in the living room, perfect for mixed-device setups. Cons: no native Netflix app; it sends remote commands only. Works best combined with a streaming stick.

Best for: households with cable boxes, AV receivers, multiple TVs, or older gear. These hubs are core parts of a low-cost tech stack for micro-events and multi-device living rooms.

5) Raspberry Pi + Kodi / LibreELEC + inputstream.adaptive — The tinkerers’ second-screen replacement

Price: Raspberry Pi 4 kit ~$40–$100 depending on case/PSU/SD card; optional remote controllers add cost.

Why it replaces casting: If you want full control, a Pi running LibreELEC or Raspberry Pi OS with Kodi can host a Netflix-capable player (via inputstream.adaptive and Widevine). Your phone becomes a remote via Kodi mobile apps like Kore or Yatse.

Core features & caveats:

• Complete control over playback UI, add-ons, and network services
• Requires configuring Widevine DRM; can be fiddly and sometimes brittle with updates
• Great for local media, Plex clients, and curated streaming dashboards

Set-up (outline):

1. Install LibreELEC or Raspberry Pi OS, then Kodi and the inputstream add-ons.
2. Install the Netflix add-on for Kodi and configure Widevine (follow current community guides).
3. Install a Kodi remote on your phone (Kore/Yatse) to use the phone as a full second-screen controller.

Pros: maximum flexibility and learning opportunity. Cons: technical setup, occasional DRM/configuration friction, no plug-and-play guarantee.

Best for: hobbyists and people who want a compact local streaming hub they control — see our hands-on notes from the Compact Creator Bundle v2 community for ideas on parts and remote options.

Practical, actionable tips for a smooth transition

• Check native app availability first. If Netflix runs on your TV or stick, use that app — it’s cleaner and DRM-friendly.
• Keep firmware updated. Streaming device updates in late 2025–early 2026 improved remote APIs and reliability.
• Use Ethernet or a USB‑Ethernet adapter for 4K streaming on sticks — Wi‑Fi congestion can cause buffering during family movie night. If you’re powering a longer setup or a small temporary event, consider battery and power options (from small power banks to larger home backup stations) when planning placement: how to choose a power station.
• Test DRM-sensitive content. If you plan to mirror (Miracast), try a Netflix trailer in your setup before starting a watch party to confirm quality.
• Combine solutions. The best low-cost setup is often a streaming stick + IR hub: stick provides native playback; hub provides phone-based macros and legacy-device control. For lighting and ambiance during a movie night, cheap RGB lamps can make a big difference (one popular pick is the Govee RGBIC Smart Lamp).

Real-world setups (quick case studies)

These small, practical combos are what readers and deal-hunters are buying in 2026:

• Studio apartment, tight budget: Roku Express + Roku app. Price: under $35. Result: Netflix on the TV, phone works as keyboard/remote — no casting drama. Add a small lamp and a single-power-bank solution if you’re mobile: see portable-gear notes like in-flight creator kits for compact power ideas.
• Shared household with many devices: Fire TV Stick 4K + BroadLink RM4 Pro. Price: ~$100 total. Result: Alexa and macros control TV, soundbar, and cable box from the phone.
• Tinkerer’s mini theater: Raspberry Pi 4 + LibreELEC + Kodi + Kore remote. Price: ~$80–$150. Result: Highly customizable UI and phone-based second-screen remote for local media and supported streaming add-ons.

Troubleshooting quick hits

• If your phone can't find the streaming stick in the mobile app, make sure both are on the same Wi‑Fi network and have Bluetooth enabled (some pairing flows use BLE).
• If Netflix is blocked or low-res during mirroring, switch to the device’s native Netflix app or use a streaming stick.
• Slow scrubbing? Try reducing video bitrate (within the app) or switching to wired Ethernet for the stick.
• For inconsistent remote apps, reinstall apps and re-pair devices — mobile OS updates in late 2025 changed permissions that required app updates.

Which alternative is right for you — quick persona guide

• Deal hunter who wants cheap & reliable: Roku Express or Roku Streaming Stick 4K. Watch price-tracking tools and monitor price drops to snag a bargain.
• Amazon/voice-first household: Fire TV Stick (4K if you want speed and HDR).
• Need to control legacy equipment too: Get an IR hub (BroadLink) alongside a streaming stick.
• Tech-savvy tinkerer: Raspberry Pi + Kodi for ultimate flexibility.
• Temporary fix or one-off mirror: Miracast/AnyCast dongle — cheap and quick.

2026 streaming trends that shape these choices

Late 2025 and early 2026 brought a few device and platform shifts that matter for second-screen control:

• Platform-first playback: Streaming services have pushed viewers toward TV apps to enforce DRM and ad strategies — so native-device playback is the most future-proof approach.
• Smarter remotes & voice: Remote-first designs (improved voice search, richer remotes, and mobile remote apps) are now standard across sticks and smart TVs.
• Interoperability over casting: As casting APIs got restricted, manufacturers improved phone-to-device pairing and mobile remote features to cover the gap.

Final recommendation: a low-cost, resilient setup

If you want a single, affordable answer that handles Netflix after the casting change, buy a streaming stick with a good mobile app (Roku or Fire TV) and add a <$60 IR hub if you also need to control legacy hardware. That combo restores second-screen convenience, works with DRM content, and keeps your monthly costs down. Use AI-powered deal discovery or price-tracking tools to time your purchase, and check weekly roundups for discounts — many readers find savings by combining alerts and manual checks like a green-tech deals tracker or general deals roundups.

"Casting may be changing, but smart control is not dead — it’s just moving to smarter remotes and native apps."

Actionable next steps

1. Check if your TV already has the latest Netflix app — if yes, try the TV app + your phone as a keyboard/remote.
2. If not, buy a Roku Express or Fire TV Stick (watch for holiday or weekly deals to save $10–$20).
3. For full living-room control, add a BroadLink RM4 Pro (~$35–$60) and program your favorite macros.
4. If you like DIY, reserve an afternoon to set up a Raspberry Pi and Kodi; follow community guides for inputstream/Widevine updates (expect occasional maintenance).

Want help choosing the right device for your setup?

Tell us your budget, TV model, and whether you need legacy-device control. We’ll recommend the exact model and a step-by-step shopping list so you don’t overspend chasing features you’ll never use.

Call to action: If this guide saved you time, sign up for our deal alerts and weekly tech shortlists — we track streaming-stick flash sales and coupon drops so you snag the best price. Share the article with a friend who lost casting and needs a low-cost fix.

Related Reading

• AI-Powered Deal Discovery: How Small Shops Win in 2026
• Low-Cost Tech Stack for Pop-Ups and Micro-Events: Tools & Workflows That Actually Move Product (2026)
• Monitoring Price Drops to Create Real-Time Buyer Guides: Tools, Workflows, and Alerts
• Govee RGBIC Smart Lamp — Make Your Room Look Expensive for Less Than $30
• Top 10 Travel-Sized Comforts to Pack for Cold Park Days
• DIY Syrups and Purees for Babies: Safe Ingredients, Preservation, and Scaling at Home
• From Rights Deals to Revenue: How Streaming Giants’ Growth Changes the Job Map in Media Tech
• Checklist: How Schools Should Respond When Social Platforms Leak or Lock Accounts
• How to Add 30+ Feet of Power to Your Swing: Mechanics Inspired by Kyle Tucker