As social platforms dominate mobile viewing, Netflix is rethinking how users discover and engage with content. The company has announced plans to redesign its mobile app, aiming to make Netflix a more frequent part of users’ daily digital habits.
Netflix revealed the upcoming changes during its fourth-quarter earnings call on Tuesday, outlining a broader push to adapt to a social-first video landscape.
With platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram leading mobile engagement, the streaming service is repositioning its app to better compete for screen time beyond traditional TV viewing.
The redesigned Netflix mobile app is expected to launch later in 2026.
Co-CEO Greg Peters said the update is designed to “better serve the expansion of our business over the decade to come,” adding that it will act as a foundation for continuous experimentation. Netflix plans to “iterate, test, evolve, and improve” the app as user habits change.
Vertical video feeds at core
A key feature of the redesign is deeper integration of vertical video feeds.
Netflix has been experimenting with swipeable short-form clips since May, showcasing highlights from its shows and movies in a format familiar to users of TikTok and Instagram Reels. The company believes this approach can help users discover content faster and stay longer in the app.
During the earnings call, Peters suggested that the vertical feed could soon feature clips from new content types, including video podcasts.
“You can imagine us bringing more clips based on new content types, like video podcasts,” he said, pointing to short-form video as a powerful tool for capturing attention and increasing time spent on Netflix.
Netflix pushes into video podcasts
Netflix is also making a notable move into video podcasts, a space long dominated by YouTube.
This week, the company launched its first original video podcasts, featuring high-profile hosts such as Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin. Netflix has also partnered with major podcast platforms, including Spotify and iHeartMedia, to bring established video podcast libraries to its service.
Together, the app redesign and podcast expansion signal Netflix’s effort to make content discovery feel more dynamic and social.
However, executives stress that the company is not trying to copy social media platforms outright. Speaking at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 conference, CTO Elizabeth Stone said Netflix is focused on strengthening entertainment discovery through mobile-first features, not becoming another TikTok.
Co-CEO Ted Sarandos used the earnings call to reflect on how competition in streaming has evolved.
He said services are no longer just competing with each other, but with the entire entertainment ecosystem. “TV is not what we grew up on. TV is now just about everything,” Sarandos said, pointing to platforms like YouTube hosting major events and Instagram moving deeper into video.
Netflix’s strategy shift comes amid strong financial performance.
In 2025, the company reported $45.2 billion in revenue, with ad revenue surpassing $1.5 billion. Netflix also crossed 325 million paid subscriptions in the fourth quarter, underscoring its global scale as it experiments with new formats and engagement tools.
