Can you download Netflix movies on Mac?

Have you been wondering how to watch Netflix offline on Mac? Maybe you want to download Netflix movies to your MacBook for in-flight viewing? There is no easy way to do this, but there are a few inelegant workarounds you can use instead.

Can you download Netflix on Mac?

Unfortunately, there is no native Netflix app available to download for macOS. To watch Netflix on Mac, you will need a web browser. Ironically, Safari provides one of the best ways to stream Netflix in a browser, supporting both 4K and HDR playback thanks to Apple implementing HDCP 2.2 support. Microsoft Edge for Windows is also HDCP 2.2 compliant.

However, Safari does not support offline playback of Netflix content. This means that you cannot download Netflix shows or movies for offline playback on Mac. You can do this on an iPhone or iPad using the official Netflix app , but nothing exists for macOS yet.

While current Apple Silicon Mac models with an M1 chip or higher can natively run iOS and iPadOS apps, Netflix has decided to drop support for its iPad app on macOS. You won’t find the Netflix app available for download on the App Store, even if you filter it with the iPhone & iPad Apps toggle.

How to Download Netflix Movies on Mac with a Virtual Machine

Luckily, Netflix has an official Windows app that allows Microsoft operating system users to stream 4K HDR video and download Netflix content for offline viewing. This is good for Mac users as the app runs great on standard versions of Windows (for Intel or AMD processors) and Windows for ARM, a version of Windows that runs well on modern Apple Silicon hardware.

This means you can use virtualization software like Parallels to run Windows on your Mac and access the Windows Netflix app . This is a slightly convoluted workaround to just watch Netflix content offline, but if you already have a virtual machine (VM) set up, this is a great solution. It can also be helpful if you find another reason to spend some time and money running Windows on your Mac.

Parallels is the easiest way to do this on Apple Silicon (M1 or later) and Intel-based Mac systems. The app sets up just about everything for you, including downloading, installing, and creating user accounts on Windows. You can also do it manually using UTM (also great for installing Linux) on Apple Silicon.

VirtualBox is a free virtualization solution with good support for Intel Mac models and Apple Silicon support, which is still experimental as of November 2022. If you still have an Intel Mac, you can also install Windows on a separate partition using Boot Camp.

Once you start Windows, whether in a virtual machine or natively, open the Windows Store and search for Netflix. Download the app, launch it, sign in, and you can stream or download Netflix movies and shows for offline viewing with the Download icon (it looks like a down arrow) next to each movie or episode.

Can you AirPlay Netflix to your Mac using an iPhone or iPad?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to AirPlay Netflix from iPhone or iPad to Mac or MacBook for offline viewing. You can only watch offline content on your iPhone or iPad in the Netflix app .

If you try to do this with offline downloads, Netflix will tell you that it cannot do this with offline content. Unfortunately, if you try to do this using content you haven’t downloaded, the app will prompt you to “Use the Netflix app on your TV” despite there being no Netflix app for macOS.

If you don’t have wireless networks nearby, but you have a fast enough mobile connection (and enough mobile data to stream), you can share your cellular connection with your Mac using a personal hotspot.