How to Watch Together Again: Workarounds After Netflix Kills Casting

Hook: Your living room was the last place to feel human again — and now Netflix pulled casting

Pain point: You and your friends used to queue a show on your phone, tap Cast, and suddenly everyone was watching the same thing on the big screen. In January 2026 Netflix quietly removed phone-to-TV casting from most devices, leaving millions scrambling for a replacement.

This guide is for viewers who want to watch together again — whether you're remote, in different time zones, or just tired of staring at a tiny phone screen. Below you’ll find tested workarounds, device-specific tips, and the best watch-party and second‑screen tools in 2026 so you can co-watch without the old Cast button.

“Last month, Netflix made the surprising decision to kill off a key feature: With no prior warning, the company removed the ability to cast videos from its mobile apps to a wide range of smart TVs and streaming devices.” — The Verge, Jan 16, 2026

What changed in 2026 — and why it matters

Streaming in 2026 is more fragmented than ever. Platforms are tightening DRM and control channels, and some — led by Netflix — have pulled support for mobile-to-TV casting except on legacy Chromecast dongles, Nest Hub displays, and a handful of TV models. That means the convenient single-tap cast most people relied on is gone for many device combos.

At the same time, the industry is moving fast toward native co‑watch features (GroupWatch, Watch Together-style options), second‑screen companion apps, and browser-based sync tools. Your best experience now depends on what devices everyone uses and where the content lives.

Quick decision tree — pick the right approach (2-minute triage)

1. If everyone has the same streaming service and a desktop/laptop: use a browser-based watch party extension or app.
2. If your group is mostly on Apple devices: try FaceTime + SharePlay (if the app supports it).
3. If you want the big screen at home but remote friends online: run the party on a laptop and connect the laptop to the TV via HDMI or wireless mirroring.
4. If you're sharing local files: use Syncplay or Plex Watch Together.
5. If all else fails: share a video call and screen-share (Zoom, Meet, Teams) with video optimization and a wired connection.

Best watch-party tools in 2026 — what to use and when

Below are the most reliable tools in late 2025 and early 2026. Compatibility and DRM still vary by service, so test before you host a big event.

Browser extensions and web apps (best for cross-platform desktop groups)

• Teleparty (Chrome/Edge): Still the most widely used for Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and more on desktop browsers. Pros: chat, synced playback, simple links. Cons: desktop-only, browser extensions can break with DRM updates — test first.
• Scener: Designed for cinematic co-watch with webcam and AV-quality focus. Works well for remote watch parties on desktop browsers. Pros: video chat overlay, theater mode. Cons: host needs stable uplink. If you need a quality webcam for the host, see reviews like the PocketCam Pro.
• TwoSeven: Lightweight, great webcam support and local file playback. Pros: low-latency sync, supports YouTube and local files. Cons: less seamless for some protected streaming platforms.
• Metastream: Browser-based syncing with a simple queue. Pros: supports many web videos, collaborative queueing. Cons: browser-only and reliant on a host session.

Apps and platforms with native co-watch

• Disney+ GroupWatch: Native, simple, supports up to 7 people with synchronized playback and reaction emojis. Best for Disney catalog titles.
• Prime Video Watch Party: Available in many regions for Prime subscribers; includes chat and synced playback. Check device limits (desktop generally works best).
• Plex Watch Together: Ideal for synced playback of your personal media library and compatible streams. Good option when you want to share local files legally across friends.

Screen-share and streaming services (most flexible, works with any content)

• Kast: A dedicated screen‑sharing and streaming platform that lets a host share any app or window. Pros: works for almost anything; has a social lounge. Cons: quality depends on host uplink and compression. For compact, on-the-go setups you can pair Kast-style sessions with field kits like the NomadPack reviews.
• Zoom / Google Meet / Microsoft Teams: Use "Optimize for video" and share system audio. Pros: everyone’s familiar with these apps. Cons: video compression reduces quality; not ideal for big-screen cinematic experiences. See options for low-budget immersive events if you're trying to replicate a theatre-like feel on a budget: Low-Budget Immersive Events.

Local-file sync tools (best for private libraries and secure sync)

• Syncplay: Open‑source, syncs media players (VLC, MPC). Perfect for local files and fan-subbed episodes. Minimal bandwidth; each viewer plays locally.
• Plex (private libraries): Plex’s collaborative watch features let you sync playback of your own media for friends with accounts. Great for home videos and ripped DVDs (legally owned).

Device-specific workarounds and step-by-step setups

1) If you want the big screen at home and remote friends online — use your laptop as the host

This is the most reliable universal hack now that casting from phone apps is gone.

1. Open the streaming site in Chrome or Edge on a laptop and start your watch-party tool (Teleparty, Scener, TwoSeven).
2. Connect the laptop to your TV:
• Wired: HDMI or USB‑C to HDMI adapter. Duplicate or extend the display and send audio to the TV (set playback device in OS sound settings).
• Wireless: AirPlay (macOS → Apple TV), Miracast (Windows → compatible TV), or dedicated wireless HDMI if you need zero-cables.
3. Lock the laptop to prevent sleep, and plug in power. Set the host’s resolution to a practical value (1080p often works best for stability).
4. Invite friends via the watch-party link. They’ll join on their browsers and sync to the host.

Why this works: the host runs the DRM-protected browser session, while TV just mirrors the laptop’s output — you bypass the lost phone Casting API entirely.

2) Apple ecosystem: FaceTime + SharePlay (best for Apple-only groups)

SharePlay remains the cleanest second-screen solution for Apple users when the streaming app supports it. To use:

1. Start a FaceTime call on iPhone/iPad or macOS.
2. Open the streaming app (or Apple TV app) that supports SharePlay.
3. Tap the SharePlay or Play Together option; the app will prompt viewers to join with their own accounts.

Note: app support varies. Apple has worked with partners through 2025 to broaden SharePlay support, but not every streamer participates. Check app compatibility before you plan a watch party.

3) Android, Chromecast, and smart TV tips

• Legacy Chromecast dongles: Netflix left support for older Chromecast devices that never shipped with a remote. If you still own one, you may be able to cast from desktop Chrome (cast tab) — but results are mixed. Consider keeping one as an emergency fallback.
• Chromecast with Google TV: These devices act more like Android TV. If you can run a browser on the device, you can mirror a laptop via HDMI or use the laptop-host method described above.
• Roku: Roku’s screen mirroring (Miracast) works from many Android devices and Windows PCs but won’t bypass protected streaming limitations in all cases. If the TV app supports GroupWatch or native co‑watch, use that.
• Smart TV best practice: Install the streaming app directly on the TV and pair it with a browser-based chat/sync tool on laptop/phone. For the smoothest experience, connect the TV to Ethernet and enable any low-latency or game modes.

4) Consoles (PS5, Xbox) — use console as display, run the party elsewhere

Consoles are great displays but not ideal hosts. Use your PC/laptop for the party and route its HDMI into the console’s passthrough or directly to the TV. Some console browser apps are too locked down to run extensions.

Network, quality, and latency tips

• Wired is win: Use Ethernet for hosts or hosts on fast Wi‑Fi 6. Wired reduces jitter and keeps audio/video locked together.
• Manage bitrate: If your upload or download is constrained, reduce resolution to 720p for stability.
• Close background apps: Especially on the host machine — cloud backups and downloads will wreck sync. Workflow guides for remote teams cover these checks in pre-show checklists (see workflow examples).
• Use QoS on your router: Give priority to the host’s device to minimize lag. If you’re thinking of a simple upgrade or a $150-off Wi‑Fi deal for hosts, check guidance on low-cost Wi‑Fi upgrades.
• Test ahead of time: Run a 10-minute trial with one friend 30 minutes before the party so you can adjust audio delay or change method. Learn from outage postmortems and do a quick preflight: postmortems show why tests matter.

Accessibility, regional access, and legal notes

Use legitimate accounts and respect copyright. Regional catalog differences mean a title may not be available to everyone; if you plan a cross‑country party, confirm availability in each country or pick a globally distributed title.

VPNs may seem like a fix for regional blocks, but they can violate service terms and introduce latency that ruins sync. When in doubt, choose a title that’s available in all participant regions or pick an alternative streaming service.

When to choose each option — a short matrix

• Best cinematic, big-screen watch party: Laptop host + HDMI → TV + Teleparty/Scener
• Best for Apple-only friends: SharePlay via FaceTime (if app supports it)
• Best for free, web-based videos (YouTube): Watch2Gether or Metastream
• Best for private files: Syncplay or Plex Watch Together
• Best universal but compressed: Zoom/Meet screen-share with Optimize for Video

Future predictions — co-watching trends to watch in 2026

• Native co-watch expansion: More streamers are building synced playback into their TV apps and consoles rather than relying on phone casting.
• Second-screen companion evolution: Companion apps will become lightweight social layers: shared queues, polls, synced clips, and AI-generated highlight reels.
• Consolidation and conflict: Expect more friction between DRM and browser extensions; extensions will survive but must adapt to stricter APIs and certification.
• More hardware-aware solutions: Manufacturers may reintroduce simple hardware buttons or standardized companion protocols to regain the lost convenience of one‑tap co‑watching.

Actionable checklist — set up a seamless watch party in 15 minutes

1. Pick your platform: confirm everyone has access to the same streaming service.
2. Choose your tool: Teleparty/Scener (desktop), SharePlay (Apple), or Plex/Syncplay (local files).
3. Run a 2‑minute pre‑party test with one friend to check sync and audio.
4. If you want the big screen: connect the host laptop to the TV with HDMI or AirPlay and set audio routing to the TV.
5. Ask participants to mute mics unless discussing — use chat or a companion voice channel for reactions.
6. Record a short backup plan: if sync fails, do a 3–2–1 manual countdown and hit play together.

Troubleshooting quick hits

• No one can join the party link? Make sure the host’s browser is up-to-date and the extension is enabled; some extensions require a relaunch after updates.
• Audio out of sync on the TV: check audio output device on the laptop, disable any Bluetooth headphones on the host, and prefer wired audio when mirroring.
• Host upload too slow: reduce resolution, or let someone else with a better connection host.
• Video quality too poor on screen-share: switch to the app’s native GroupWatch/Watch Party if available, or lower the frame rate.

Final takeaways

The death of Netflix’s phone-to-TV casting is a real annoyance — but it’s not the end of shared viewing. You have multiple, practical pathways back to synchronous co‑watching: browser-based extensions for cross-platform desktop groups, SharePlay for Apple households, hardware workarounds (laptop → TV HDMI), and local-file sync tools for private libraries.

Pick the path that matches your group’s devices and the title you want to watch, run a quick test, and use the checklist above to avoid last‑minute friction. Co-watching in 2026 will feel less like a single button press and more like coordinating a small live event — but the payoff is the same: real-time reactions and shared moments.

Call to action

Try one of these setups tonight: host a 15-minute test watch with one friend using Teleparty or laptop-to-TV HDMI. Tell us which combination worked (or didn’t) — share your setup and tips in the comments or subscribe for weekly updates on the latest co‑watch tools, smart TV tips, and watch‑party walkthroughs.

Related Reading

• Compact Streaming Rigs for Trade Livecasts — Field Picks for Mobile Traders (2026)
• Top 7 Lightweight Laptops for On-the-Go Experts (2026)
• Low-Cost Wi‑Fi Upgrades for Home Offices and Airbnb Hosts
• Edge-First Live Production Playbook (2026): Reducing Latency and Cost for Hybrid Concerts
• Grammy-Playlist Strength Sessions: Build Hypertrophy Workouts Curated by Award-Winning Artists
• Print Smart: Cheapest Ways to Produce Event Invitations and Merch Without Sacrificing Quality
• How to Make ‘Comfort Broths’ for Cats: Warm, Hydrating, and Vet-Approved
• Home EV Charging and Indoor Air: Purifier and Ventilation Checklist for Garages
• When Broadway Goes Abroad: Cultural Trip Packages from Dubai to See Overseas Productions