Netflix may be missing its expectations for subscriber numbers growing, but one thing is certain: millions of people still love and use the platform on a daily basis. The competition by Apple TV and Disney+ is a good thing; it forces Netflix to add more high-quality content.
For Mac users, however, there’s a problem: there’s no Netflix app for Mac. Maybe it’s an Apple’s thing. Maybe they don’t want you to have a dedicated app, so you’ll focus on Apple TV. Whatever the case is, the lack of Netflix app for Mac means we’ll have to find a way to work around the issue. Fortunately, there is a way.
We’ll share a few tips on how to watch content, but we’ll also explain how to download Netflix on Mac for offline viewing. But keep in mind that we’ll talk about a legal Netflix download.
The Simplest Way to Watch Netflix on Mac
- Netflix may be missing its expectations for subscriber numbers growing, but one thing is certain: millions of people still love and use the platform on a daily basis. The competition by Apple TV and Disney+ is a good thing; it forces Netflix to add more high-quality content. For Mac users, however, there’s a problem: there’s no Netflix app for Mac.
- Set up a Netflix account. If you don’t already have a Netflix account, you can sign up for a 30-day.
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The easiest way to access Netflix content through your Mac is to simply use your browser. That’s the method the platform suggests. To set up Netflix for Mac, you’ll simply get at the website, sign into your account, and stream away.
But wait; everyone knows how to do that. We promised a Netflix download here. Fortunately, it’s possible to download content for offline viewing.
This is where AirPlay gets into the picture.
When you access your Netflix app on iPad or iPhone, you’ll notice that you can download content. The Netflix download button is not always available, but it’s there on most original shows. However, you won’t see it when you access the platform via laptop.
That’s why you’ll connect your computer to your phone or tablet via AirPlay. Open AirPlay on the device and go for the Screen Mirroring feature. Then, you’ll see your Mac in the list of available devices for mirroring. Choose it. You’ll see the phone’s display on your Mac. Get into the Netflix app and download the content you need.
That answers your question: can you watch Netflix offline on Mac? Yes; you can. Thanks to the Apple ecosystem that effortlessly connects devices, you won’t even feel like you lack the Netflix app for Mac.
Another Option: Use the Screen Recording Feature to Watch Netflix on Mac Offline
Let’s say you don’t have a problem accessing Netflix through its website. The only issue is that you can’t stream content offline. If you’re planning a weekend getaway in a remote area, that’s a big problem. How do you prepare a few episodes and possibly a movie ahead, so you can watch it later?
If you hit Command+Shift+5 on your Mac, you’ll see the screenshot and screen recording options. If you record the screen while the video streams, you’ll be able to save the file and watch it offline. This is a rather inconvenient option that takes a lot of time. You have to play an entire movie just to get a Netflix download on your computer. However, it’s pretty cool for people who want to watch their favorite episodes multiple times.
We have to mention the fact that this is considered privacy. Your default screen recording tool might not get you through the entire episode or movie. Capto is a third-party app with better screen recording functionality.
Keep this in mind: since piracy is illegal, make sure you’re recording Netflix for Mac for personal use only. Never share that content with someone else!
Your Final Option: Get a Netflix Download via Windows
If you know that you won’t have Internet connection where you going and you absolutely need the app on your computer for offline viewing, you can install Windows 10 on your computer.
You didn’t see this coming, did you?
This is a workaround for extreme cases. Once you setup Windows on your Mac, you can download and install the Netflix app. It supports the download function, so that gets your offline Netflix for Mac.
Now you may be wondering: “Can’t I download Netflix content on a Windows computer and then watch it on my Mac?” Unfortunately, you won’t be able to do that. Netflix gives you the download feature for some content, but you’ll be able to watch your downloaded titles only through the device that you used to get them. If you got them on an iPad or iPhone, you can use the screen mirroring feature to watch the content on a Mac. But if you got them on a Windows computer, you can’t transfer them. That’s why we suggest installing Windows if you really need to download and use the full-featured Netflix app for Mac.
Can You Watch Netflix Offline on Mac?
Mac users are used to the ultimate convenience. As they always say about their computers “they just work.” In the Netflix case, they don’t really work. The platform limits your access only through a browser. That’s nice, but it doesn’t work if you want to watch content offline.
There are three potential solutions, which we listed above. Choose the one that works for you, and happy watching!
What’s a perfect way to pass the time during long car rides or plane trips? Watching movies or TV shows is always a good idea. With Netflix, downloading your favorite ones on iOS or Windows devices is a piece of cake. But it works less straightforward on macOS.
So how to download from Netflix on Mac? In this article, we’ll show you a few legal workarounds. You can use these methods with no risk of your subscription termination as none of them violate Netflix’s terms and conditions.
Can you download Netflix shows on Mac?
Netflix is one of the biggest streaming services, but it still has no app for macOS. Luckily, it’s optimized for the most popular browsers. So if you’re a Mac user with a Netflix subscription, you can watch a new season of Stranger Things right in your Chrome, Safari, Opera, or Firefox browser.
Keep away from ads promise to help you install the Netflix app on your Mac. Cybercriminals often exploit this trap to infect computers with malware. If you downloaded such software before, your Mac might be affected by viruses.
Don’t download from pirate sites
Netflix shows are a sweet spot for pirates. You can find many Chinese sites that illegally distribute Netflix content and spice it with ads and malware.
Download Netflix To My Laptop
If you don’t believe, just Google your favorite show and the Chinese equivalent for “watch online” from Google Translate.
If you ever go down this route (which is illegal), make sure your Mac some layer of protection.
Our favorite is CleanMyMac X by MacPaw, as it’s empowered with the Malware removal feature. That means it can detect and destroy Mac-specific threats once and for all. And this app is notarized by Apple.
Here’s how to deal with potential malware using CleanMyMac X:
- Download CleanMyMac X free version — here’s the direct link.
- Launch it and select the Malware removal module in the sidebar.
- Hit Scan and wait for a few seconds.
- If CleanMyMac X finds anything suspicious, it’ll let you know. But no reason to panic, as you can remove any hazard with one more click.
For an extra layer of protection, turn on a real-time malware monitor. Go to CleanMyMac X menu > Preferences, choose the Protection tab, and click on the checkbox. From now, you’ll instantly find out whenever malware is about to attack your Mac.
So, can you download Netflix movies on Mac via the browser-based version? Unfortunately, there’s no way to do that yet. But the Netflix app for iPhone, iPad, and Windows comes with the Download button. Let’s see how to create a cinematic experience on your Mac computer with its help.
How to watch Netflix offline on Mac via Screen Mirroring
The bad news is Netflix won’t play on Mac by Airplay anymore for some technical limitations. That means no chance to stream Netflix content directly to your AirPlay-compatible computer. Still, you can share downloaded movies and shows using Screen Mirroring. Both the iPhone and iPad will do the job.
First, download the Netflix app from AppStore and sign in to your account. Find the movie or TV show you want to download, select it, and tap the Download icon.
From there, make Screen Mirroring work with Netflix using Quick Player:
- Connect your device to a computer via the USB cable.
- Launch Quick Player on your Mac from the Application folder.
- Click on the File menu and choose New Movie Recording.
- Go to the drop-down menu next to the red recording button.
- Select your device’s name from the Camera and Microphone lists.
- Go to the Netflix app and choose the content you want to play. Enjoy the show on the bigger screen!
Never copy Netflix content from iOS to Mac by screen-recording. Copying a movie isn’t the same as watching one via screen mirroring. It’s not legal and can lead to termination of your Netflix subscription.
Although this is the easiest method to mirror iOS screen to Mac, it’s not wireless. If you have no cable at hand, screen-mirroring tools might help. All you need to do is to:
- Make sure you have good internet and connect both devices to one WiFi network.
- Open the app on your computer.
- Go to Control Center on your iOS device and click on Screen Mirroring.
- Select your Mac’s name from the list. Now when your iOS screen appears on your Mac, go to the Netflix app and start the show.
Opt only for reliable third-party software to keep your computer free from viruses. To be on the safe side, I enabled real-time protection in CleanMyMac X. It scans my Mac on the background and lets me know if something suspicious occurs.
How to download movies from Netflix on Mac with Boot Camp
If you have no iOS devices, installing Windows on your Mac is the way to go. Here is when Boot Camp Assistant comes in handy. It helps set Windows on Mac and switches between two operating systems with ease.
How To Download Netflix Shows On Mac Laptop
What you need to install Windows on Mac
How To Download Netflix Shows On Mac Laptop Screen
- The latest macOS update
- At least 64 GB of free storage space on a startup disk. Apple recommends having 128 GB for a better experience
- A 64-bit copy of Windows 10 disk image (ISO file) — head over to the Microsoft Software Download page to get it
- An external USB flash drive with 16 GB or more, unless you’re using a Mac that doesn’t need a flash drive to install Windows
Back up your data and quit all running apps before the installation process.
How to install Windows 10 on Mac
- Go to Folder > Applications > Utilities.
- Launch Boot Camp Assistant and click Continue.
- Tab the Choose button. Select the ISO file and click Open.
- Set the Boot Camp partition size. Note that you can’t modify it later. Once you’re ready, click Install.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to install Windows. If the installer asks where to place your Windows copy, select the Boot Camp partition and click Format.
After installation, your Mac will reboot into the Windows 10 setup and open Boot Camp Assistant. Follow the instructions to download and install the required Windows drivers. Once done, click Finish to restart your computer. It’ll load back into Windows.
Grab your copy of the Netflix app from Microsoft Store and sign in to your account. Since Netflix supports downloading TV shows and movies on Windows, you’ll have no trouble watching them later when you can’t be online.
Download Netflix shows on Mac using Android emulator
macOS platform remains isolated in many ways. At the same time, Android apps are more versatile when it comes to Netflix streaming and downloads.
As a workaround, you can run an Android emulator, for example Blue Stacks, so you can install Netflix on your Mac.
Since downloading entire seasons requires disk space, make sure you also got a quick eraser for unwanted files. To quickly free up space taken by media junk and system junk, download CleanMyMac X – it’s the best disk space manager for the Mac. With Blue Stacks and CleanMyMac X at hand, you’ll be fully equipped for the job.
Hope these tips will help you enjoy Netflix movies offline on your Mac whenever you want.