Casting Is Dead—How That Netflix Move Affects Expat Households in Denmark

Casting Is Dead—How That Netflix Move Affects Expat Households in Denmark

Hook: If your Danish expat household relied on tapping “cast” from your phone to the living-room TV, Netflix’s January 2026 decision to remove broad casting support just made family movie night harder. This guide explains what changed, why it matters for expats in Denmark, and—most importantly—clear step-by-step alternatives so every family member keeps second-screen control.

The situation right now (late 2025 → Jan 2026)

In January 2026 Netflix quietly restricted the ability to cast from its mobile apps to many smart TVs and streaming sticks. Casting continues to work only on a handful of devices (notably some older Chromecast adapters without a remote, Nest Hub smart displays, and select Vizio/Compal models). The rest—newer Chromecast devices, many “cast built-in” TVs, or manufacturer-dependent workflows—lost that direct phone-to-TV casting route.

“Casting is dead. Long live casting!” — coverage summarized from tech reporting in January 2026.

That matters if your family used a phone or tablet to queue shows, control playback, or hand off viewing to someone sitting on the couch. For expats in Denmark this is more than inconvenience: you often have mixed-device households (phones bought overseas, TVs purchased locally), guests who don’t speak Danish, and children who rely on parental controls configured from a second screen.

Why expat households in Denmark feel this change more than others

• Device mix: Expats often bring devices from other countries or buy different-brand hardware locally, so compatibility gaps show up quickly.
• Language & profiles: Many families use second-screen control to switch profiles (English vs Danish), subtitle settings, and kids’ locks without touching the TV.
• Shared control: Remote control handed between roommates, children, or visiting family is a daily need.
• Retail constraints: Buying the exact replacement device isn’t always immediate—Danish stores (Elgiganten, Power, Apple Store Denmark) may have stock differences compared to your home country.

Fast summary: Your 4 practical alternatives (start here)

1. Use the native Netflix app on your smart TV — most reliable.
2. Use an HDMI streaming device with a dedicated Netflix app (Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku where available) — keeps second-screen functions via manufacturer apps.
3. Use AirPlay / Apple ecosystem — best for iPhone/iPad families.
4. Use the TV manufacturer’s remote app (Samsung SmartThings, LG ThinQ, Sony TV Control) — phone as a remote for the TV Netflix app.

Detailed step-by-step setups and troubleshooting

1) Native Netflix app on your smart TV (recommended first)

Why: The TV app connects directly to Netflix servers, respects DRM, and keeps profiles and parental controls synced. For families it’s the simplest long-term answer.

Setup steps

1. On your smart TV, open the app store and search for Netflix. If it isn’t installed, install it. If it is installed, check for updates.
2. Open Netflix on the TV and sign in with your account. If profiles don’t appear, sign out and sign back in to refresh the profile list.
3. Use the TV remote to set subtitles, audio, and parental controls. These settings are now the primary controls for playback.
4. To let family members control playback from their phones without casting, enable any TV-side remote pairing (many TVs show a four-digit code you can enter on your phone to link the Netflix mobile app to the TV app).

Troubleshooting

• If the Netflix app is missing, your TV may be end-of-life for app updates. Consider an HDMI stick (below).
• Profile or language issues: use the Netflix account page on a browser to confirm region and payment method are correct (expat accounts sometimes keep a home-country library).
• Slow playback: update TV firmware and check Wi‑Fi signal—ideally put the TV on a 5GHz network or wired Ethernet for stability.

2) HDMI streaming devices (Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast/Google TV caveats)

Why: A small HDMI device gives you a dedicated Netflix experience that’s independent of the TV’s OS. For expats, it’s the best way to standardize behavior across households.

Which devices to consider in Denmark (2026)

• Apple TV 4K — excellent AirPlay + family sharing, available in Denmark through Apple Store, Elgiganten, etc.
• Amazon Fire TV Stick — often available via Amazon.de and local retailers; includes a Netflix app.
• Chromecast with Google TV (2020/2022 models) — caution: Netflix’s casting change affects some Chromecast workflows. The Google TV interface runs a native Netflix app, which is fine; the old “cast” button from mobile may not.
• Roku — limited official availability in Denmark; if you buy from abroad, make sure it supports Danish/English and local apps.

Setup steps (example: Apple TV)

1. Plug the Apple TV into HDMI, power it on, and follow the on-screen setup (connect to Wi‑Fi, sign into Apple ID).
2. Open the App Store, download Netflix, and sign in.
3. Use Control Center on iPhone/iPad for remote control (swipe to the Apple TV remote widget) or hand the Siri Remote to family members.

Chromecast-specific notes

Netflix’s 2026 change removed phone-to-device “cast” for many Chromecast workflows. That does NOT mean Chromecast devices are useless—if the Chromecast device has a native Netflix app (Google TV interface), use that app and the device’s remote. For families who loved tapping play on a phone, switch to the device remote or use the manufacturer/Google Home pairing features where available.

3) AirPlay and Apple ecosystem (best for iOS families)

Why: AirPlay 2 gives a near-seamless second-screen experience. If you have Apple TV or a TV with AirPlay 2 built in, you can mirror or stream, and iOS devices can act as a remote for the Apple TV app.

Setup steps

1. Confirm your TV or Apple TV supports AirPlay 2 and is on the same Wi‑Fi as your iPhone or iPad.
2. Open Netflix on your iPhone or the Apple TV app and look for the AirPlay icon. If the icon is missing, use the Apple TV app and install Netflix directly on the Apple TV device.
3. Use Control Center to open the Apple TV remote to control playback and subtitles—this preserves second-screen control without traditional casting.

Troubleshooting

• No AirPlay icon? Check firmware on the TV and iOS updates. Some TV models require enabling AirPlay in settings.
• Playback stops when phone sleeps—use the Apple TV app installed on the device instead, or disable automatic lock during playback.

4) Manufacturer remote apps (Samsung SmartThings, LG ThinQ, Sony TV Control)

Why: If you want to keep using your phone as a remote without relying on Netflix’s cast, manufacturer apps turn your phone into a full remote for the TV Netflix app.

Setup steps

1. Install your TV brand’s remote app on your phone (SmartThings, ThinQ, etc.).
2. Connect to the same Wi‑Fi network and add the TV in the app by following the in-app pairing steps—usually involving a PIN or device discovery.
3. Open the Netflix app on the TV, then use the phone app to navigate and control playback. Many manufacturer apps include a keyboard for easier search.

Useful tips for multi-user households and parents

• Profiles & kids’ controls: Set up individual profiles in Netflix and lock kids’ profiles with a PIN from the Netflix account page.
• Guest control: If visitors need control, consider leaving a cheap universal Bluetooth remote or a tablet with the TV app signed in as a guest profile.
• Remote sharing: Many streaming sticks support adding multiple controllers—pair extra remotes so children can pass a remote around.

Network, router and Wi‑Fi tips for reliable second‑screen control

• Put the TV or streaming device on a stable 5GHz Wi‑Fi or wired Ethernet. For older buildings in Denmark, prefer Ethernet when possible.
• Ensure phones and the TV are on the same network SSID. Guest networks often isolate devices and block remote features.
• Disable AP isolation and verify multicast/UPnP is enabled if you rely on device discovery (some smart TVs need that to show in phone apps).
• If you have multiple routers or mesh nodes, ensure the phone and TV connect to the same node for discovery speed.

Expats: buying and compatibility advice in Denmark (practical)

Where to buy: Elgiganten, Power, Apple Store Denmark, Proshop.dk and Amazon.de (ships to DK) are reliable. If you’re replacing a device quickly, Apple TV and Fire TV sticks are widely stocked; Chromecast devices are common but check model specifics.

Language & region: After setup, set device language to English (or Danish) and confirm Netflix’s region matches your subscription. If you pay with a non-Danish card, Netflix may keep your home region’s library—this sometimes affects available titles.

Power and plugs: Denmark uses Type K plugs—most streaming devices work with 110–240V power bricks, but check the adapter or use a small travel adapter.

2026 trends and what to expect next

Industry patterns in late 2025–early 2026 show streaming services streamlining device support and pushing viewers to app-first experiences on TVs and dedicated set-top boxes. Why?

• Security and DRM: Providers are tightening playback controls to reduce piracy and enforce ad inserts for ad-supported tiers.
• Unified device ecosystems: Apple, Google, and Amazon are prioritizing their flagship devices (Apple TV, Google TV with full native apps, Fire TV) over legacy casting protocols.
• Smart home integration: Matter and Thread (2024–2026 rollouts) are making TV control part of home scenes—expect voice and home hub hand-offs to improve.

For expats this means leaning into official apps and a small dedicated streaming device will pay off long-term. Expect more changes in 2026 as providers and device makers negotiate standards for remote control and second-screen features.

Real-world example: a Copenhagen family’s setup (case study)

Meet the Jensen-Riveras: two adults, two kids, mixed devices (iPhone, Android, Windows laptop) and a 2020 Samsung TV. After Netflix’s change, they:

1. Installed Netflix on the TV and set separate profiles with a kids’ PIN.
2. Bought an Apple TV 4K to give visiting grandparents an easy way to use AirPlay and family sharing.
3. Kept the Google Pixel phones paired to the Samsung SmartThings app so the parents can queue shows and use the phone keyboard for searching.

Result: kids control via the TV app and a spare Bluetooth remote; parents control queueing and profile changes from their phones via SmartThings. Movie night works—without casting.

Common FAQs for Denmark expats

Q: Can I use a VPN to restore my home country’s Netflix library?

A: VPNs often reduce streaming quality and may violate Netflix’s terms. For family viewing in Denmark, it’s better to use local region settings and manage language/subtitle preferences per profile.

Q: My Chromecast is newer—why did casting stop?

A: Netflix limited legacy casting support and prioritized native apps. New Chromecast devices that run Google TV still have a Netflix app; the mobile cast button may be disabled for some combinations.

Q: I need a cheap fix—what’s the fastest one?

A: Buy a low-cost Fire TV Stick or inexpensive Apple TV alternative available locally; install Netflix and hand over the remote for second-screen control.

Actionable checklist for the next 30 minutes

1. Open Netflix on your TV—if it’s missing, note the TV model and consider an HDMI stick.
2. Install your TV manufacturer’s remote app on one phone and pair the TV.
3. Set up family profiles and a kids’ PIN on Netflix (Account → Profiles → Manage).
4. If you need device recommendations, check local stock at Elgiganten or Apple Store DK and pick Apple TV or Fire TV for best compatibility.

Final thoughts: adapt now, simplify later

Netflix’s removal of broad casting support is inconvenient, but it nudges households to more reliable, app-based setups. For expats in Denmark, the fastest path to stable, shared second‑screen control is either the native TV Netflix app or a small HDMI streaming device that everyone in the household can learn to use.

Want help picking the best device for your exact apartment in Denmark (considering broadband, TV model, and who visits)? Join our local forum or send your setup details and I’ll recommend a tailored plan for your family.

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Join the danish.live community: Share your current devices and I’ll map a step‑by‑step migration plan for free. Download our printable “Expat Streaming Setup Checklist (Denmark 2026)” and post a photo of your living-room setup to get community tips and discounts from local retailers.

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