Whether you love to stream comic movies or are a huge fan of action and thrill, you will surely find lots of titles complimenting your taste on Netflix. It allows you to save videos for offline streaming, but the duration depends on the provider.
If you're using a MacBook, you may be curious about how to download Netflix movies on Mac. After all, when you handle this skill, you can turn your Mac into a mobile theater, without the internet connection or Wi-Fi!
Unfortunately, the existing frustrating constraints on a Mac make it difficult to download Netflix shows on Mac. But don't worry! We get you covered with 4 useful and verified methods in this article.
Beginning: Netflix Download Rules
Before we learn about how to download Netflix movies on Mac, it's important to know the related download rules in advance.
The Netflix download rules and limitations can be divided into 4 types: device, subscription, offline viewing period and download quota. Check the following table to learn about the details:
| Netflix Download Rules | |
|---|---|
| Subscription Requirement |
Need to subscribe to any plan:
|
| Compatible Device |
You're only allowed to download videos on:
|
| Viewing Period | Netflix downloads expire after a certain amount of time, normally 30 days after they're downloaded or 48 hours after you start to watch them. |
| Number of Downloads |
|
Why can't you download Netflix movies on Mac? As you can see, there is no official Netflix application for MacOS that allows you to download all of the fascinating Netflix movies. You're only allowed to stream online on Netflix with a web browser on Mac.
Since the official download option is unavailable, is there any way to download Netflix movies on Mac? Yes. We find the following 4 methods to help you enjoy Netflix downloads on Mac easily.
Method 1: AirPlay Netflix from iPhone or iPad
Although you can't directly download Netflix shows or the Netflix app on your MacBook, it's possible to download videos on iPhone or iPad and use AirPlay to watch them on the MacBook. Here's how you can do this.
To begin with, you need to download Netflix movies on your iPhone/iPad by following these steps:
- Make sure you have the Netflix app installed. Open it and log in to your account.
- Tap the Downloads icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Then tap See What You Can Download to see available shows and movies.
- Select a movie or TV show you want to download. For movies, tap the Download button (downward arrow). For TV shows, tap the download button next to each episode.
- Go back to the Downloads section to see your downloaded content. You can watch it anytime without the Internet.
Now, you can use AirPlay to project the screen of your iPhone or iPad to Mac. To AirPlay Netflix, you'll need to ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and that your Mac is set up to receive AirPlay content.
1. Set up your Mac to receive AirPlay:
- On macOS 13 or later: Go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff, then turn on "AirPlay Receiver"
- On macOS 12.5 or earlier: Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Sharing, then select and enable "AirPlay Receiver"
2. Choose who can AirPlay to your Mac:
- Select "Current user" to allow only devices signed in with your Apple ID
- Choose "Anyone on the same network" or "Everyone" to allow other devices
3. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Netflix app and select the content you want to watch
4. Tap the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom) in the Netflix player
5. Select your Mac from the list of available AirPlay devices
6. If prompted, enter the AirPlay passcode displayed on your Mac
7. The Netflix content should now start playing on your Mac screen.
To stop AirPlaying, you only need to tap the AirPlay icon in the Netflix app again and select your iPhone or iPad from the list to return playback to your device.
Note: Some Netflix content may have restrictions that prevent AirPlay or screen mirroring due to copyright protections. In such cases, you may need to use the Netflix app directly on your Mac or consider alternative methods for viewing.
Method 2: Use QuickTime Player
Before getting hands with any complex application and software, it is better to look closer at the solution. Netflix has already developed an application for many different Apple devices. You can download the content on these devices and transfer it to the Mac with the help of QuickTime Player.
QuickTime Player is a built-in app on your Mac that can play all sorts of videos. It can also record your computer screen, including what you watch on Netflix. While it's not the easiest thing to do, we'll break it down step-by-step.
Here's how to get started:
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable.
- Open QuickTime Player on your Mac.
- Click File at the top of the screen, then choose New Movie Recording.
- Next to the red record button, you'll see a small arrow. Click it and choose iPhone under Microphone and Camera. This tells QuickTime to show your iPhone screen.
- Open Netflix on your iPhone and pick the movie you want to record.
- Hit the record button in QuickTime Player to start recording.
- When the movie ends, click the record button again to stop.
- To save the recorded movie, click File and then Save.
Note: Keep in mind that the recorded movie might not look as good as the original.
Method 3: Record Netflix on Mac
If you want to get Netflix videos in higher quality or the original quality, you can also use a third-party recorder to record the Netflix video, such as Screen Capture. It's a kind of traditional recorder to capture every motion on your computer screen.
To use such tools, you only need to choose a reliable one and install it on your Mac. Follow the instructions and you can record the Netflix movies. However, you should be noted that it's time-consuming and laboursome work.
As the recorder will capture a limited area on your screen or the full screen of your Mac, you have to ensure that there are no other prompts or things that pop up when recording Netflix shows. If the process is bothered by any other motion, you have to start recording it again.
Of course, you can choose a tool that is less of a traditional recorder, such as Audials, which can capture the program running in the background. But the success rate is very low.
Method 4: Download Netflix Movies on Mac with KeepStreams
Is there a perfect way to download Netflix movies on Mac, instead of capturing or recording them? Yes, generally you can use 2 methods: Directly download Netflix movies on Mac or install the Windows system on your Mac to download Netflix movies.
We do not recommend the second method, for reasons that will be explained later. If you find the Windows installation is too risky and complex, we recommend using the one-stop solution KeepStreams for Netflix to download Netflix shows on Mac.
What is KeepStreams?
KeepStreams is a professional video downloader available for both Mac and Windows PC. You can download Netflix videos in original quality (up to 1080p video, Atomos, EAC3 5.1 and AAC 2.0 audio) with it, and enjoy many other useful functions.
When you play the Netflix video in KeepStreams, the video will be automatically detected, analyzed and extracted. You can use the batch download function to save multiple Netflix shows together or try the auto-download service to download a newly added episode right away when it's released.
Different from other downloaders or recorders, KeepStreams is able to remove all ads in Netflix. It means that if you subscribe to the Netflix plan with ads, you can still enjoy the downloads without any disruption.
To cater to the audiences' requirements of different languages, KeepStreams can download subtitles in various languages. You can choose to embed them into the or just extract subs into SRT files.
Steps to Download Netflix Movies on Mac
KeepStreams boasts a clear and easy-to-use UI. Follow these steps to download your favorite shows on Mac and save Netflix titles in compatible MP4 format for unlimited offline viewing:
Launch KeepStreams and navigate to VIP Service. You can see many streaming sites here. Click on Netflix and log in with your own account to get access to the videos you want to download.
Browse and play the Netflix videos you want to download. KeepStreams is set to download every title that can be successfully played on Netflix, and the success rate can be high up to 93% (based on the database).
When you play the show, the analysis is taken right away. Wait for seconds until the setting prompt pops up. Choose the video, audio and subtitles as you like, and click Download Now.
Go check the progress in Downloading and all downloads in Downloaded. Now enjoy these Netflix videos on your Mac. Because KeepStreams removes all DRM Protection from downloaded Netflix videos, you can play them anytime on any device.
| KeepStreams | Other Netflix Downloaders | |
| Convert Netflix videos to MP4 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto download | ✓ | × |
| Download 100 Netflix videos per day | ✓ | × |
| Delete ads from Netflix | ✓ | × |
| Save meta info and subtitles | ✓ | × |
| Regular Updates | ✓ | × |
| Free Trial | 3 free download | download the first 5 minutes |
Why is it Not Recommended to Install Windows on Mac?
Now let's come back to this question "Why is it not recommended to install Windows on Mac?" We all know that there is no Netflix app for Mac. Of course, you can use a professional tool like Boot Camp Assistant to install Windows 10 on your MacBook, but there are some risks.
Firstly, when you put Windows on your Mac, you create a separate space on your computer for it. This space can be attacked by viruses and malware made for Windows. These harmful programs can damage your Windows system and, in some cases, might even affect your Mac's operating system.
Secondly, Netflix updated its service policy in 2024. Although you can still use the official Netflix app on Windows PC, it's impossible to download videos on it. Therefore, even if you install the extra system on Mac with potential risk, you can't download Netflix movies on Mac.
Conclusion
Downloading movies from Netflix on a Mac for offline viewing requires a nuanced approach, given the streaming platform's regulations and technical limitations. This article has outlined various methods, each with its own advantages and challenges.
The most effective strategy appears to be using specialized software like KeepStreams for Netflix, which simplifies the process and ensures compatibility with Netflix's terms of service.
By following the guidelines set forth in this article, you feel free to download Netflix movies on Mac to MP4, and even transfer the Netflix downloads into USB to watch them offline on any device such as mobile phones.