If you enjoy having your favorite Netflix movies and shows ready to watch anytime, even without an internet connection, you’re not alone. Whether you’re preparing for a long flight or want to save on mobile data, offline viewing is a huge convenience. However, if you’re using a Mac laptop, you might have noticed a frustrating issue: there’s no official Netflix app for macOS, and that means you can’t download Netflix movies directly onto your Mac.
So, is it possible to download Netflix movies on a Mac? How can you do it, and what should you expect? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, explained simply and clearly.
Can I Download Netflix Movies Directly on a Mac Laptop?
The short answer is no, you can’t download Netflix movies directly on a Mac. Unlike Windows PCs or mobile devices like iPhones and Android phones, Mac laptops don’t have a Netflix app that supports downloads.
Netflix’s official app allows users on Windows 10/11 computers and mobile devices to download titles for offline viewing, but the company hasn’t released such an app for macOS. So, if you watch Netflix through a browser on your Mac (Safari, Chrome, Firefox), you won’t see any option to download content.
This means that if you’re relying only on your Mac’s web browser, there’s no legal or built-in way to save Netflix shows or movies for offline watching. It’s a disappointing limitation, but there are some workarounds you can try, which we’ll cover next.
Why Can’t Netflix Downloads Work on Mac?
Understanding why Netflix downloads don’t work on Mac can help clarify the situation.
Netflix uses digital rights management (DRM) technology to protect its content from piracy. The way DRM works depends on the platform. On Windows, the Netflix app can manage DRM to allow downloads for offline viewing.
However, browsers on Mac do not support the same DRM capabilities required for offline playback. This is why Netflix hasn’t enabled downloads through Mac browsers or provided a dedicated Netflix app for macOS.
Apple’s restrictions on app development and Netflix’s own platform strategy likely play a role in this limitation as well.
How to Download Netflix Movies on Mac: Step-by-Step Workarounds
Even though Netflix doesn’t support direct downloads on Mac, you still have some options to watch offline. Here are the most practical workarounds, with clear steps.
Option 1: Use Boot Camp to Install Windows and Use the Netflix Windows App
If you’re comfortable installing Windows on your Mac, this is the most straightforward way to download Netflix videos legally and officially.
What you need:
- A valid Windows license
- Apple’s Boot Camp Assistant (built into macOS)
- At least 30GB of free disk space
Steps:
- Back up your Mac. Before partitioning your drive, back up your important files.
- Open Boot Camp Assistant. You can find it in Applications > Utilities.
- Download a Windows ISO. Get it directly from Microsoft’s official website.
- Install Windows on your Mac. Boot Camp will guide you through creating a Windows partition and installing the OS.
- Restart your Mac and boot into Windows. Hold the Option key during startup and select Windows.
- Download the Netflix app from the Microsoft Store.
- Log in to Netflix and download movies or shows.
Pros: This method uses Netflix’s official app, so downloads work smoothly and legally.
Cons: It requires a Windows license, takes up significant disk space, and involves rebooting to switch between Mac and Windows.
Source: Apple Support
Source: Netflix Help Center
Option 2: Use an iPhone or iPad to Download Netflix Content, Then AirPlay to Your Mac
If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can download Netflix movies or shows using the Netflix app on those devices. Once downloaded, you can stream the content to your Mac using AirPlay.
How to do this:
- Download the Netflix app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Log in and download your desired titles for offline viewing.
- Connect your Mac and iOS device to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Use AirPlay to mirror your iPhone or iPad screen to your Mac.
This method doesn’t store the content on your Mac but lets you watch offline downloads on a bigger screen.
Pros: Easy to set up if you already own an iOS device.
Cons: Requires an additional device and wireless connection.
Option 3: Screen Recording (Not Recommended)
Some users consider recording their screen while playing Netflix content to save it locally. However, this approach is against Netflix’s terms of service and may lead to account suspension or termination.
Additionally, screen recording often results in lower
Danny Inayat