The New Second Screen: Best Devices and Setups After Casting Changes

Hook: When your phone no longer 'casts' — and your evening plans stall

If you’ve ever tried to cast a show from your phone and watched your app tell you “not supported” — you’re not alone. In January 2026, Netflix quietly removed much of its phone-to-TV casting support, breaking a motion many of us took for granted. That change exposed a common frustration: relying on casting as a primary way to control playback creates a single point of failure. This guide helps you build a friction-proof second-screen workflow today — practical device picks, simple hacks to regain easy playback control, and network-level fixes that keep the show rolling.

Why this matters in 2026: the ecosystem shifts you should know

Streaming in late 2025 and early 2026 has trended toward closed ecosystems. Platforms are prioritizing native TV apps, DRM, and proprietary controls over the open “cast from phone” model. As Janko Roettgers reported for The Verge in January 2026, Netflix removed a chunk of its casting support — a move that affected how many people used phones or tablets as remotes and playback controllers.

“Casting is dead. Long live casting!” — the headline captured a bigger truth: casting as a universal convenience is eroding, but second-screen workflows can survive — and even improve — if you lean on the right gear and setup.

Principles I used when rebuilding my own setup

• Prefer native apps on the TV device over casting when possible — fewer failures and less latency.
• Keep a separate, simple second screen (tablet or small Android device) for playlist-building and quick control when casting is blocked.
• Use hardware remotes or hubs that translate phone actions into IR/HDMI-CEC signals for stubborn devices.
• Fix the network basics — many “cast” failures are just multicast or client-isolation issues on your router.

Best second-screen devices for 2026 — hands-on picks

Here are devices I've tested or rely on in day-to-day setups. I prioritized reliability, latency, app availability, and remote usability.

1) Apple TV 4K (2023/2024 revision) — the polished second-screen + remote experience

Why it helps: Apple TV runs robust native apps, supports AirPlay 2 and HomeKit, and has a responsive Siri remote. When casting is gone, native Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Plex apps on tvOS are your fallback. Use the Apple TV Remote built into iPhone Control Center or the physical Siri remote for ultra-low friction control.

Quick tip: Enable “Back Tap” or a Shortcuts automation on your iPhone to launch the Apple TV remote app and jump directly to the playback screen.

2) Roku Streaming Stick+ / Roku Ultra — the simplest, consistent app experience

Why it helps: Roku’s interface is straightforward, the app catalog is wide, and the Roku mobile app offers remote control plus keyboard input. Roku devices are conservative about platform changes, so app behavior tends to be consistent even as casting policies fluctuate.

Quick tip: Use Roku’s private listening in the mobile app when sharing a room with others, and map voice commands via the Roku remote for hands-free playback control.

3) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max — Alexa + cheap tablets pair well

Why it helps: Fire TV devices keep a broad app library and integrate tightly with Alexa. If Netflix or a service blocks casting, the native app on Fire TV will generally work. Bonus: pairing a cheap Fire tablet gives you a ready-made second screen with deep app parity.

Quick tip: If you use a Fire tablet as a second screen, enable “Second Screen” in the Fire TV app to control playback and browse while the TV plays the native app.

4) Raspberry Pi 4 / 5 running Kodi or a compact Android TV box — for tinkerers and local media fans

Why it helps: A Pi or Android box gives you maximum control. Install Kodi with the Yatse remote app, or run Android TV and sideload apps that may disappear on mainstream devices. For local files, a Pi can double as a Plex server and a receiver controlled by your phone or tablet.

Quick tip: Use a small USB IR receiver (Flirc USB) so any IR remote maps to keyboard commands. It’s a low-cost bridge for using inexpensive remotes with a Raspberry Pi.

5) Tablets (iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab A series) — the best flexible second screen

Why it helps: A tablet is portable, has a full touchscreen, and runs companion apps (Plex, YouTube, VLC) that act like advanced remotes. When casting is limited, use the tablet to queue content, manage playlists, and control native apps via web or app remotes.

Quick tip: Keep a tablet permanently docked near your couch on a charging stand — it becomes your always-on “control pad.”

Playback control hacks — quick wins that reduce friction

These are straightforward fixes you can apply in under 30 minutes to restore control flow and cut the friction that casting gaps introduced.

Hack 1 — Favor native TV apps, but keep a control tablet for queuing

Move primary playback to the TV device (Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV). Use a tablet as a queue-and-control surface. That keeps playback local (lower latency, fewer DRM problems) while preserving the convenience of a second screen for searching and playlists.

Hack 2 — Use a universal hub to translate phone actions to IR/CEC

Devices like BroadLink RM4 Pro or newer universal smart hubs will take Wi‑Fi commands from a phone app and send IR or RF to older devices. Paired with an automation tool (Shortcuts, Home Assistant), you can press one button on your phone to send a sequence: turn TV on, switch to HDMI, open Netflix app.

Hack 3 — HDMI-CEC is your friend (but watch the caveats)

Enable HDMI-CEC on all devices. CEC lets a single remote control volume and basic playback on connected sources. It’s not a full replacement for app-level control, but it’s a reliable fallback when your casting workflow fails.

Hack 4 — Set up a compact physical backup remote

Buy an inexpensive Bluetooth keyboard/trackpad or a compact learning remote and program it for your main devices. The goal: one physical device you can hand to a guest or keep in the cup holder that works without the app.

Hack 5 — Keep local copies and a Plex server for total control

Ripping or saving allowed personal copies of your purchased media into Plex (or Jellyfin) gives you a playback method that’s immune to platform policy changes. Plex clients exist on almost every device; the Plex app and remote are robust alternatives to casting.

Network & router fixes that solve most 'casting' headaches

Many failures blamed on “casting being removed” are actually network configuration issues. Fixing these often restores remote/discovery functionality across platforms.

• Disable AP / client isolation on guest and main networks so devices can see each other.
• Enable multicast and IGMP snooping on routers that support it — discovery protocols rely on multicast.
• Keep devices on the same IP range (e.g., both on 192.168.1.x vs one on a guest 192.168.3.x).
• Use 2.4GHz for legacy devices — many streaming sticks and smart TVs still prefer 2.4GHz for discovery even in 2026.

Advanced: Automations and low-effort integrations

If you like one-button convenience, here are low-cost automations that feel magical:

• Shortcuts / Siri: Create a Shortcuts action that turns on Apple TV, opens Netflix, and selects a profile. Trigger via Back Tap or Siri on your phone.
• Home Assistant: Run a Raspberry Pi with Home Assistant to orchestrate IR hub commands, HDMI-CEC switches, and smart lights. Build “Watch Movie” scenes that dim lights, power the soundbar, and switch inputs.
• IFTTT / Alexa Routines: For non-technical users, Alexa routines that call multiple device actions are fast to build and can be voice-triggered.

Edge-case tools: when native apps aren’t enough

There are times a platform refuses your cast and a native app is missing or broken. These tools fill the gap:

• Plex/Jellyfin: Run a media server for local content and use their clients to control playback from phones and tablets reliably.
• Kodi + Yatse: For local files or add-ons; Yatse offers an excellent remote app for Android.
• Flirc USB: Pairs any remote via IR to a USB receiver and maps presses to keyboard events — great with Raspberry Pi or HTPCs.
• VNC / Remote Desktop: If you run an HTPC, remote desktop apps on tablets let you control the machine directly (best for advanced users).

Price-conscious builds

If you’re on a budget, here are low-cost combos that restore the best second-screen experience without breaking the bank:

• $50–$80: Fire TV Stick + used tablet (older Fire or Android tablet). Use tablet for browsing, the Fire Stick for playback.
• $100–$180: Roku Streaming Stick+ or Chromecast with Google TV + a cheap BroadLink RM4 hub for IR mapping.
• $200+: Apple TV 4K or a high-end Android TV box paired with a dedicated tablet and a small hub for automations.

Troubleshooting checklist — quick fixes that work 80% of the time

1. Restart the TV and streaming device. Power-cycle often clears DRM handshake issues.
2. Make sure phone/tablet and TV are on the same Wi‑Fi network segment.
3. Update the streaming app on both phone and TV — app mismatches cause control breakdowns.
4. Try the device’s native app instead of casting; if it works, make that the default path.
5. Use a physical remote or universal hub as a fallback when the app refuses to connect.

Why the “phone as remote” model will survive — but change

Even as platforms narrow casting support, the second screen will remain important. In 2026 we’re seeing three ongoing trends:

• Native TV apps win — because they reduce DRM complexity and ensure consistent UX.
• Local media & servers grow — Plex, Jellyfin, and self-hosted solutions are popular for people tired of platform lock-in.
• Smart home integration rises — remotes are becoming scenes and automations rather than simple button presses.

Translate that into practice: keep using your phone/tablet as an advanced remote, but lean on robust TV hardware (Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV) and cheap network or IR hubs to glue everything together.

Final setup checklist — 10 minutes to calmer streaming

1. Choose a main playback device (Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV).
2. Dock a tablet near the sofa as your dedicated second screen.
3. Enable HDMI-CEC and test a single HDMI input for consistent control.
4. Install a universal hub (BroadLink) or Flirc if you have legacy IR components.
5. Fix your router: disable client isolation, enable multicast if available.
6. Create one-touch automations for “Watch TV” and “Watch Movie.”
7. Test voice control (Siri/Alexa/Google) and map crucial commands.
8. Save a local playlist on Plex or the TV device to avoid streaming breaks.
9. Place a compact physical backup remote in your living room.
10. Label everything and teach housemates the basic fallback routine (press this button if the app fails).

Parting note: Build resilience, not reliance

Casting changes in 2026 exposed a fragile dependency we’d all accepted: one app, one protocol, one tiny moment when everything works. The solution isn’t to mourn casting — it’s to build a resilient second-screen setup that blends native apps, a simple tablet control surface, and one or two hardware fallbacks.

Actionable takeaways

• Stop relying on a single cast flow. Adopt a native TV device plus a docked tablet for queuing and control.
• Buy one universal hub (BroadLink) or a Flirc USB to bridge legacy IR devices.
• Fix your router’s multicast and disable client isolation to restore device discovery.
• Use Plex/Jellyfin for local media to regain autonomy from platform policy changes.

Call to action

Ready to rebuild your living room so playback never stalls mid-show? Try the 10-minute checklist above, then tell us which device you chose — reply to this post with your setup, frustrations, and wins. If you want a printable checklist and a simple automation script for Apple TV or Fire TV, sign up for our free setup kit and step-by-step guide.

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