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How to control Netflix on your TV with a phone

To use your phone to control Netflix on your TV, use Companion Mode.

  • Browse Netflix and search for TV shows and movies to watch

  • Use shortcuts to go to TV Shows, Movies, New & Popular, and My List on your TV

  • Play, pause, rewind, and fast forward content, or go to another episode

  • Change your playback settings, such as languages and subtitles

Companion Mode is a beta experience available to a small set of members who have the latest version of the Netflix mobile app installed on an Android phone or iPhone, and are watching Netflix on a TV or TV streaming device. To check if your account is included in the beta, open the Netflix mobile app and look for the Companion Mode icon in the upper right corner.

Connect your devices and use Companion Mode

  1. Open Netflix on both your phone and TV.

    • Make sure you’re signed in to the same Netflix account on both devices.

  2. In the upper right of the mobile app, tap Companion Mode.

  3. Tap Connect to TV.

  4. Choose your TV or TV streaming device.

  5. If prompted, choose which profile to use. To use Companion Mode, both devices need to be signed into the same profile.

You'll see a message on both devices saying the connection was successful. After you’ve connected your phone and TV once, those devices will be automatically connected in the future when Netflix is open on both and using the same profile.

How to tell when your phone is connected to a TV:

  • The Companion Mode icon in the upper right of the mobile app will appear to be lit up .

  • You’ll see “Connected to TV” and the name of the TV at the bottom of your screen and after tapping on the Companion Mode icon.

To disconnect a connected phone:

  1. In the upper right of the mobile app, tap Companion Mode.

  2. Tap Disconnect.

You’ll see a notification in the upper right corner of your TV that the phone you’re currently using has been disconnected.

A phone will also disconnect automatically if you close the Netflix app on your TV or phone, or if you turn your TV off.

Note:Your phone might still show that it’s connected for several minutes after you close Netflix on your TV.

After connecting the first time, your phone and TV may connect automatically when Netflix is open on both and using the same profile.

Troubleshooting

Most newer devices are supported.

Make sure the device is updated. If you're not sure how to update the system software on your device, check your owner's manual or contact the manufacturer.

Requires Android 7 or later and the latest Netflix app version from the Google Play Store. See How to update the Netflix app on your Android device.

Requires iOS 16 or later and the latest Netflix app version from the App Store. See How to update the Netflix app on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Check that your operating system is up-to-date. Companion Mode requires Android 7 or later and the latest Netflix app version from the Google Play Store. See How to update the Netflix app on your Android device.

Check that your operating system is up-to-date. Companion Mode requires iOS 16 or later and the latest Netflix app version from the App Store. See How to update the Netflix app on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

If Netflix says "TV not found" after tapping on the Companion Mode icon on your phone, make sure your TV and phone are signed into the same Netflix account and that Netflix is open on both screens, then try again. You may also need to restart the Netflix app on your TV and reinstall the Netflix app on your mobile device.

If you have multiple TVs that are the same model, the Connect to TV screen may show a list of characters when connecting devices in addition to the name/model of your TV. Work your way through the list of TVs until you connect to the TV you want to control. You'll see a message on your TV that the connection was successful.

Only one phone can be connected to a TV through Companion Mode at a time. Connecting a new phone will disconnect other devices.

If some of the Companion Mode controls on your phone are not working after connecting your devices, restart the Netflix app on your TV, then try again.

Most TVs and TV streaming devices are temporarily in an idle state after they have been powered off. Because of this, it is possible for Companion Mode to appear connected for a certain amount of time until the device is fully powered off.

It's possible for the Netflix app to be in an idle state when your TV is on, even if it's not currently being used. Because of this, it's possible that Companion Mode will continue to prompt for usage.

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