Netflix recently killed support for Apple’s AirPlay streaming technology in its iOS app. But there’s no conspiracy here, Netflix says: The firm didn’t drop AirPlay over some dispute with Apple about its coming TV+ service as many in the Apple community alleged.
“Airplay is no longer supported for use with Netflix on iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch due to technical limitations,” a Netflix statement vaguely explained on a support page on the firm’s help site. The note was tied to a recent app update that dropped AirPlay support.
Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!
"*" indicates required fields
And it would spawn dozens of conspiracy theories, most tied to the fact that Apple recently announced a coming TV service called TV+ that will compete directly with Netflix. Furthermore, Apple is bringing its AirPlay streaming functionality—which is like Google’s Chromcast/Google Cast but for Apple devices—to a range of third-party smart TVs, which will help spread usage of the TV+ service.
But it’s not making this change to hurt Apple, Netflix says. There’s no conspiracy.
“We want to make sure our members have a great Netflix experience on any device they use,” a Netflix statement explains. “With AirPlay support rolling out to third-party devices, there isn’t a way for us to distinguish between devices (what is an Apple TV vs. what isn’t) or certify these experiences. Therefore, we have decided to discontinue Netflix AirPlay support to ensure our standard of quality for viewing is being met. Members can continue to access Netflix on the built-in app across Apple TV and other devices.”
Presumably, Apple will find a way to correctly identify AirPlay-compatible devices, and thus their capabilities (HDR support, and so on). And that, should this happen, Netflix could simply reinstate AirPlay support. Plus, Netflix still supports Chromecast on iOS, so you can use that technology with a compatible Smart TV or set-top box if you prefer streaming from your device for some reason.
Stooks
<p>Can I just state the obvious? </p><p><br></p><p>If you were "Airplaying" from your phone to an Apple TV to play Netflix, which until very, very, very recently was the only AirPlay target device for such setup……why not just run the Netflix App on the Apple TV???</p>
Stooks
<blockquote><em><a href="#419052">In reply to JohannesFranz:</a></em></blockquote><p>Ahh yes watching a movie on my iPhone and playing the audio on another speaker…..used by so many????</p><p><br></p><p>Head phones would be 100x better.</p>
BrianEricFord
<blockquote><em><a href="#419050">In reply to Stooks:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>This isn’t about Apple TV. It’s about 3rd-party TVs that now support AirPlay streaming. (Yes, those all likely have Netflix on them, but built-in apps often suck.)</p><p><br></p><p>With that said, this explanation is almost certainly technically true, but that doesn’t mean I buy Netflix’s explanation that that’s all that went into the decision.</p>
Stooks
<blockquote><em><a href="#419056">In reply to BrianEricFord:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yes those TV's that you could pre-order back in Feburary and may have one now??? The point is until those TV's you could ONLY Airplay using a Apple TV which has Netflix on it.</p><p><br></p><p>Also looking at the TV models that do have Airplay 2, most are high end, meaning faster CPU so the built in apps are better, as in do not suck. Most built in apps suck from speed issues or lack of updates but that is usually on low end models. </p>
BrianEricFord
<blockquote><em><a href="#419061">In reply to Stooks:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>No, they suck due to poor interface design (it’s an interfarce?) both inside the app and also from the overall TV interface before you ever get into the app.</p><p><br></p><p>But the main point is that this decision to nix AirPlay support is (allegedly) all about 3rd party TVs, so your question didn’t make a lot of sense in the context of the decision at hand.</p>
dontbe evil
<p>that's what apple deserve, fight back with apple own style</p>
BrianEricFord
<blockquote><em><a href="#419062">In reply to lvthunder:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>You’re wasting your time: This person exists only to troll.</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#419062">In reply to lvthunder:</a></em></blockquote><p>I don't know if this really hurts Apple, but I think for most people it's the content of a streaming service that is the key to adoption, not whether it's compatible with every possible device. </p>