Tech Brief: Netflix Abruptly Kills Apple AirPlay Support Due to "Technical Limitations"

Streaming giant Netflix has abruptly pulled native support for Apple's AirPlay citing "technical limitations," according to a support page on the company's website. "Airplay is no longer supported for use with Netflix due to technical limitations," the statement reads. AirPlay is Apple's proprietary wireless streaming technology that allows compatible devices to cast multimedia content to Apple TVs, but Netflix explains that the iPhone maker's recent decision to partner with major TV brands to support AirPlay 2 has made it impossible to distinguish between devices.

Limitation or not, it's hard not to interpret this development as a sly response to Apple's new streaming service Apple TV+ (that Netflix has declined to participate in), echoing similar moves by Amazon, which has refused to stock Google Home smart speakers on its digital storefront, prompting Google to pull YouTube support for Amazon's smart display product, the Echo Show.

"We want to make sure our members have a great Netflix experience on any device they use. 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," the company said in a statement to MacRumors.