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While Netflix allows downloads on iPhone, iPad, Android devices, Fire tablets, and even Chromebooks, it does not support downloading shows directly on a Mac or Windows PC.
Are there workarounds? Yes. Are they easy? Not really. But let’s walk through every option you actually have.
I’ll cover each method in more detail below, but if you’re tech-savvy and just need a quick solution, this should be enough to get you started.
| Where to download Netflix shows | What to do |
| On Mac | Netflix has no official Mac app, and the browser version doesn’t offer downloads. To watch offline, download the title in the Netflix mobile app instead. |
| On iPhone and iPad | 1. Log in to the Netflix app. 2. Choose the movie. 3. Click the download icon. For geo-blocked Netflix shows, use ClearVPN from Setapp to get access to them. |
Let's be clear right away: Netflix has gone to great lengths to protect its content from illegal copying. Even if you want to keep a copy of a movie on your hard drive for your own collection, it is unlikely that you will be able to easily download it. Netflix blocks attempts to record the screen or use programs to save videos from the internet. Moreover, all videos downloaded from the Netflix app are stored in encrypted form, and these files cannot be transferred to another device.
So, let's quickly review the general rules and knowledge about downloading from Netflix.
These are the general rules you should know before taking the next step.
TipNo matter what you’re in the mood to watch, nothing beats a good binge-watching session with a solid media player. That’s why I’m all about Elmedia Player. It’s super user-friendly and handles all kinds of formats, so I don’t have to stress about switching things up or hunting for another way to watch my videos. |
Now, let's look at the steps you need to take so that you can download Netflix movies on a laptop, iPhone, or iPad.
Warning! Saving content from Netflix using non-original apps may be considered unethical or illegal. Before doing it, please read Netflix's terms of service.
While there is no app for Mac, and you can't download Netflix content from a browser, you might think a newer Mac could run the mobile app. Even though Apple silicon Macs (M1 to M6) can run iOS and iPadOS apps, Netflix has explicitly disabled its iPad app compatibility in the Mac App Store.
Additionally, installing Windows via Boot Camp or Parallels is no longer a viable workaround. Netflix removed offline downloads from its Windows app too, so the only place left to save titles is a phone or tablet.
You may also wonder if you can save a movie from Netflix using programs that download videos from the internet, such as Pulltube or Downie. The answer is no. Netflix blocks such attempts. However, these apps can easily save files from YouTube and dozens of other websites.
For YouTube downloads, Eney, an AI assistant for Mac, could be a better solution. It lives quietly on your Mac and completes various tasks for you, from processing files and organizing folders to downloading videos and running Terminal commands. Just tell it what you want to do in plain English, and it will get the job done.
And if you're looking to transfer videos saved from the internet to your iPhone or iPad, consider AnyTrans for iOS. It's an excellent tool for easily exporting and copying content by categories in a single tap.
Idea: Add Netflix to DockAlthough I'm frustrated by the lack of a Netflix app for Mac to dowload, I decided to streamline my Netflix experience as much as possible. I created a Netflix icon in my Dock that opens like an app. Here’s how to do it:
The icon acts as a shortcut to the Netflix website. It still has all the features of browser-based Netflix and can only be used online, but at least I can access it independently of Safari and have quick access.
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Netflix has a lot of rules, and most of them are there to stop people from copying its content. Nobody reads the terms of service just for fun, so I rounded up popular issues and fixes for you.
Ever landed in another country, opened Netflix, and realized your downloaded show suddenly won't play? That is how regional licensing works. The moment your device reaches a foreign network, titles not licensed there might freeze up.
If you want your home library while traveling, turn on ClearVPN from Setapp, pick your home country, and open Netflix. It doesn’t always work, though. Netflix detects and blocks many VPN servers, so if you see an error, try a different server or reconnect.
Run into error 10016-23000? That’s how Netflix lets you know when you download content on more devices than your plan permits:
To fix it fast, open your account in any browser, head to Manage download devices, and remove old devices.
Apple Silicon Macs can run many iPhone and iPad apps, but Netflix isn’t one of them. The company keeps its iPad app out of the Mac App Store, so you can’t install it and use offline downloads that way.
Trying to capture Netflix playback with QuickTime or OBS leaves you with a black screen or missing audio. Do not worry, your Mac isn't broken.
Netflix uses copy protection called HDCP to stop screen capture in its tracks. The moment macOS spots a recording tool running, it shuts off the video feed entirely. Changing settings won't help here. The only way to watch Netflix offline on a MacBook is to save shows through the mobile app on your iPhone or iPad.
If you’re thinking about switching to another streaming platform just to download shows for offline viewing, it’s not always that simple, though. Many other popular platforms also have restrictions on downloading videos and movies.
Streaming platforms: Quick comparison | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Service | Native Mac App Available? | Direct Offline Downloads on Mac? | Notes |
| Netflix | ❌ No | ❌ No | Browser-only on Mac |
| Apple TV (formerly Apple TV+) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 30-day expiry for downloads |
| Amazon Prime Video | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Select titles only |
| Disney+ | ❌ No | ❌ No | Mobile downloads only |
Not sure which Netflix titles you can actually save to watch offline? No problem — it’s really easy to check!
If you’re using an iPhone, iPad, Android device, or Fire tablet, follow these steps:
That’s it — your chosen movies or shows will be ready to watch anytime, even without the internet. Here's also a helpful guide on how to get movie subtitles.
Thanks to the native app, downloading content from Netflix is a breeze for iPhone and iPad users. To download Netflix episodes or a specific movie, follow these steps.
Note that not all content is available for download. To explore all downloadable options, go to My Netflix > Downloads > See What You Can Download.
Not everyone knows that Netflix downloads can be easily customized. Here are a few tips I use:
And, of course, rate the movies you watch so Netflix can download more relevant content for you.
If you're an active Netflix user, sooner or later, you'll run into a situation where you can't download a TV show or movie. That's all right – not all Netflix content is available for download, often due to copyright restrictions. If another company holds exclusive rights to a movie or show, they might restrict downloads while allowing streaming. Sometimes, even Netflix originals face restrictions, especially if they're co-produced with another rights-holding company. Netflix also considers "local factors" like a show's popularity or seasonal trends.
Moreover, the list of shows to watch also varies by country, depending on local demand and distribution rights. If another company owns exclusive streaming rights in a particular region, Netflix cannot offer that content there.
This can be a real pain for people traveling for business or pleasure. For example, a US resident might miss out on their preferred content while in France. In this case, I recommend using a VPN, an app that changes the IP address of your connection and tricks the browser into thinking you are in another country.
For connecting to Netflix, ClearVPN from Setapp with a free 7-day trial is the best option. Here's how to connect:
In a few seconds, you will have access to your usual content.
Turn streaming limits into a smooth routine, download elsewhere, play anything, travel ready. 250+ curated Mac and iOS apps. Cancel anytime. Get 7-day trial.
Want only one downloader? Choose Downie in Setapp Marketplace, reviewed and safety-checked, $22.99 one-time purchase, or $7.99 per 6 months, or $11.99 per year.
Fun fact4 out of 10 people said their top reason for using a VPN was to get around regional restrictions to access content like Netflix. [And yes, ClearVPN is perfect for that purpose.] *Source: 2023 ClearVPN Web Browsing Research |
Another thing you should know is that every Netflix plan in the US allows you to download shows for offline viewing. However, you may receive an error notification: "You have downloads on too many devices."
The thing is, each of Netflix's plans allows you to upload videos to a certain number of devices. For the US, it's 2 devices for Standard with Ads and Standard and 6 for Premium. Rules for other countries may differ.
That notification means that you're trying to save videos to more devices than your plan allows. If you wish, you can remove downloads from one of the devices or upgrade your plan in the Change Plan section in your account or through the support.
The number of downloads allowed also varies. The plan with ads allows 15 downloads per device per billing cycle. Other plans allow 100. Rules may vary for other countries.
Another error you may encounter is when Netflix says, "Download Failed". What should you do? Click on the notification icon (!), find the error code, and enter it in the search here. Try to fix the error, and if it doesn't work or you have other trouble downloading from the Netflix app, contact support. If there is no error code, try updating the app. This should help.
Here’s a quick list of devices where Netflix downloads actually work:
Note: Netflix no longer supports downloads on Windows 10/11 computers, even via the Netflix app.
As you can see, your options for downloading videos from Netflix are almost entirely limited to using the standard apps created by Netflix. However, you can improve your viewing experience with a few tricks. For example, if you travel to a country where your usual content is unavailable, use ClearVPN. It allows you to watch and download movies as if you were at home.
Turn streaming limits into a smooth routine, download elsewhere, play anything, travel ready. 250+ curated Mac and iOS apps. Cancel anytime. Get 7-day trial.
Want only one downloader? Choose Downie in Setapp Marketplace, reviewed and safety-checked, $22.99 one-time purchase, or $7.99 per 6 months, or $11.99 per year.
No. Even though Apple’s Silicon Macs can run mobile apps, Netflix has blocked the iPad app from the Mac App Store. It will not let you view Netflix shows offline.
Netflix protects its videos with DRM and HDCP, so most recording tools capture only a black frame. Switching to another recorder usually doesn’t change that. It also goes against Netflix’s terms of use.
Not officially. Netflix does not yet have an official Mac app, nor is there a browser download available. For offline viewing, download Netflix titles from the mobile app.
Netflix downloads expire because of licensing rules and time limits set by content owners. Many titles will expire around 48 hours after you start watching them, while others can stay on your device for anywhere from about a week up to roughly a month before you press play. You can always check the exact expiration time for each download in the My Downloads section of the app.
Yes, you can store Netflix downloads on an SD card, but only on Android devices. You can choose to save downloads to your SD card in the Netflix app settings. Unfortunately, iPhone, iPad, and Mac users can't use external storage for Netflix downloads.
Several streaming services offer access for Mac users, but not all support offline downloads directly on a Mac: Apple TV+ and Disney+ allow you to download content for offline viewing, but only on mobile devices like iPhones and iPads, not directly on a Mac. YouTube offers offline downloads through its YouTube Premium subscription service, but this feature is available primarily on mobile devices. Apps like Downie and PullTube can capture videos from sites like YouTube and Vimeo for general content downloads from various platforms. However, they cannot download content from Netflix due to its content protection policies.
Downie is completely free for 7 days with a Setapp Membership for all new members. You can use the app without any limits, just as if you had bought it — every feature unlocked, no hidden fees, no ads. Those terms apply to both the trial and the full membership if you decide to continue.
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