Best Ways to Download Netflix Movies on Mac: Easy Guide
Netflix is a popular streaming service that lets you watch movies, shows, and documentaries from anywhere worldwide. It also offers a feature to download content for offline viewing. Still, many Mac users wonder if they can do this directly on their devices. Unlike iPhones, iPads, or Windows PCs, the Netflix app isn’t available for direct download on macOS, which can make it tricky to watch your favorite Netflix content offline on a Mac. The good news is there are ways to work around this! In this article, we’ll explore methods to download Netflix movies on Mac if possible and share the best ways to enjoy offline content. Whether you’re traveling or want to watch offline, this guide is here to help you make the most of Netflix on your Mac.
Page Content
- #1 Can I Watch Netflix Offline on my Mac?
- #2 Best Way to Download Movie from Netflix on Mac
- #3 Download Netflix Films on Mac Using Boot Camp
- #4 Download from Netflix Mac with Netflix iOS App
- #5 Downloading Movies from Netflix on Mac vs Other Apple Devices
- #6 Frequently Asked Questions
- #7 Final Thoughts
Can I Watch Netflix Offline on my Mac?
Unfortunately, you cannot directly download and watch Netflix offline on a Mac because the official Netflix app isn’t available for macOS. Unlike iPhones, iPads, or Windows devices, Macs don’t have a built-in option to save Netflix content for offline viewing.
This limitation is mainly related to platform restrictions and licensing agreements. Netflix uses its app to ensure its offline content is protected against piracy, as the app uses special technology to secure downloads. On macOS, Netflix relies on web browsers, which don’t support this offline download feature.
However, there are workarounds to enjoy Netflix movies and shows offline on your Mac. Keep reading, and we will guide you effortlessly through the process.
The Netflix app is available only on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
You can watch Netflix on your Mac computer by going to www.netflix.com using a supported web browser.
Best Way to Download Movie from Netflix on Mac
Effectiveness | Highly effective for downloading Netflix movies directly. |
Ease of Use | Easy to use |
Limitations | Requires installation and internet connection |
If you really want to download movies on Netflix on your Mac computer, then the best way to do it is using a movie downloader. Therefore, AceThinker CleverGet is the best movie downloader you can opt for. It is a reliable downloader that lets you download movies from popular streaming services such as Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney Plus, and Netflix. Additionally, the tool enables you to save Netflix to MP4 and other video formats, such as WebM, MKV, etc., with up to 8K resolution. This tool is the best way to download Netflix content on your Mac device because it has a built-in browser that lets you directly download Netflix movies without needing the official app. Furthermore, CleverGet lets you download Netflix episodes with full metadata information simultaneously, supporting batch downloading. See the steps below on how to use this tool to effortlessly download Netflix movies.
Step 1. Download AceThinker Cleverget
The initial step in downloading Netflix movies is to download the Netflix video downloader, which is the AceThinker CleverGet. Simply click the download button above for MacBook Air. Afterward, proceed to the installation process by passing through all the wizard prompts on your Mac screen. Once installed, the tool will launch automatically.
Step 2. Login to your Netflix Account
On the CleverGet interface, click the Netflix icon from the list of apps to visit the official Netflix website. Next, tap the Sign-in button on the upper-right corner and enter your login credentials. Once logged in, find the Netflix movie you want to watch offline.
Step 3. Download Netflix Video
After you locate the Netflix movie you want to save, click on it and let the tool analyze it. Then, another window will appear containing the available download options based on quality, frame rate, and size. If the download options don't appear, click the Download icon below to see them. After that, choose your preferred download options and click the Download button below.
Step 4. Watch Netflix Movies Offline
Next, see the downloading movies progress on the right corner, which is the Library tab. After completing the process, you can play and watch the downloaded movie by tapping it. Furthermore, you can locate the downloaded content on your files by tapping the folder icon beside it.
Download Netflix Films on Mac Using Boot Camp
Effectiveness | Effective but requires running Windows on Mac. |
Ease of Use | Moderate |
Limitations | Only available on Intel Macs, requires Windows OS |
If your Mac has an Intel CPU, you can utilize Boot Camp to install a Windows virtual system and download Netflix movies for offline viewing. Boot Camp is a feature built into macOS that lets you install and run Windows system on your Mac. Doing this enables you to use Windows applications that are unavailable for macOS, like the Netflix app. Furthermore, installing virtual Windows system using this assistant is a straightforward process, but it requires some preparation. Also, ensure your Mac computer has enough storage space and is at least 64 GB free. Here's how to download Netflix movies on Mac using Boot Camp Assistant.
Step 1. Install Windows on Mac Using Boot Camp
First, visit the Boot Camp Assistant application on your Mac and launch it. Then, get the official Windows installation file from Microsoft's website. Nest, follow the step-by-step instructions to partition your disk and install Windows.
Step 2. Download the Netflix App
After setting up Windows, restart your device and enter the Windows operating system. Then, go to the Microsoft Store and download the Netflix app. After that, launch the app, sign in to your account, and find the videos or TV shows you want to download.
Step 3. Download Netflix Shows
After choosing the movie you wish to download, click the download icon and select your desired download quality. The progress of the Netflix movie downloading can be seen in the Netflix downloads section. Finally, the downloaded Netflix movies will be stored locally on your Mac's Windows partition, which you can access anytime.
Download from Netflix Mac with Netflix iOS App
Effectiveness | Effective on Macs with Apple Silicon chips (M1/M2). |
Ease of Use | Moderate |
Limitations | Requires third-party tools, only works on M1/M2/M3 Macs |
For a Mac user with M1, M2, or M3 chips, you can install the Netflix iOS app on your Mac and download videos for offline viewing. As you know, Mac devices with Apple silicon can run iPadOS and iOS apps natively. However, make sure your iOS device runs on iOS 17 or later. Also, you need a third-party app like iMazing, which helps you transfer iPhone and iPad apps to your Mac. Additionally, it allows you to manage iOS apps and content on your Mac. Here’s how you can download Netflix to watch offline on Mac using this method.
User Guide:
- To start, download and install the iMazing app on your MacBook. Next, connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac using a USB cable. Then, open iMazing and go to the Manage Apps section.
- After that, download the Netflix app’s IPA file from your iOS device to your Mac. You can do this by tapping the “Export App” button in iMazing for the Netflix app. Once the Netflix IPA file is downloaded, open it using iMazing and install the app on your Mac.
- Next, open the Netflix app on your Mac and sign in to your account. Then, locate the movie or TV show you want to save. Afterward, click the download button next to the title, select video quality, and the download will begin. Finally, you can view the videos downloaded offline on your Mac.
Downloading Movies from Netflix on Mac vs Other Apple Devices
Downloading Netflix movies on a Mac is quite different from downloading on other Apple devices like iPads or iPhones. Let's compare the experience of how to download movies on Netflix on Mac with other Apple devices.
- Mac: On a Mac, you can’t directly download Netflix videos from the app since there’s no official Netflix app for macOS. To download videos, you’ll need to use workarounds like Boot Camp or iMazing, which may affect video quality and convenience. Unlike other devices, Macs don’t support downloads natively, meaning you need external tools to save Netflix videos.
- iPhone and iPad: iPhones and iPads fully support downloading Netflix videos through the official app, making it easy to save Netflix videos for offline viewing. You can directly download titles in various video quality settings, depending on your preferences and app storage. These devices are portable and ideal for personal viewing, allowing you to watch videos downloaded on the go without needing Wi-Fi.
- Apple TV: Apple TV doesn’t support downloading Netflix videos directly, so you can’t save videos to watch offline. However, you can use AirPlay to stream Netflix content from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to your Apple TV for bigger-screen viewing. While Apple TV is great for streaming content with high video quality, it requires an active Wi-Fi connection to access Netflix.
- Apple Watch: Apple Watch doesn’t support downloading or streaming Netflix videos directly due to its small screen and limited app functionality. You can’t download or save Netflix videos on your Apple Watch, which doesn’t support offline viewing. It’s more of a companion device for notifications and health features, rather than for video content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Netflix restricts direct movie downloads on some devices, like Macs, due to its policies and copyright agreements with content creators. While the Netflix app allows downloading on certain devices, it does not offer this option on macOS to provide a smoother streaming experience and protect against piracy.
You can save content by using workarounds like screen record Netflix videos on your Mac. A stable screen recording process using tools like QuickTime Player can help capture the videos. However, the video quality may not match direct downloads. Simply launch QuickTime Player, choose the new screen recording option, and start recording as you play the Netflix video.
No, there is currently no legitimate way to get Netflix completely free. It requires a paid subscription, and Netflix does not offer a free trial without providing credit card information.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, downloading Netflix movies on a Mac isn't as straightforward as it is on other devices like iPhones or iPads, as there is no official Netflix app for macOS. However, workarounds, such as using tools like AceThinker CleverGet, Boot Camp to run Windows, or transferring the Netflix iOS app with iMazing, are available. These methods allow you to download Netflix videos for offline viewing, although they may require additional setup and tools. While Macs aren't designed to download Netflix content directly, these alternatives make it possible to enjoy your favorite movies and shows offline. If you're looking for a simpler experience, a device like an iPhone or iPad is more convenient. On the other hand, you can use Netflix alternatives like Hulu or Amazon Prime to watch videos offline on your Mac.