- Although there is no Netflix app on Mac, Netflix allows you to stream movies and TV shows in a browser. Netflix supports streaming on Mac using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, or the Safari browser. It seems not bad if you can watch Netflix videos smoothly with a steady internet connection.
- Netflix is a streaming service that offers a wide variety of award-winning TV shows, movies, anime, documentaries, and more on thousands of internet-connected devices. You can watch as much as you want, whenever you want without a single commercial – all for one low monthly price.
When streaming your favorite shows on Netflix we all want to get the best quality possible, especially if you pay extra for the Ultra HD plan. However, you may not be aware that the quality of your stream often times depends on the browser or even the OS you are running on your computer.
There's no option to download Netflix movies and shows on Macs, so here's a handy workaround if you want to watch things offline.Subscribe: http://bit.ly/2AM.
Previously, we covered how to get the best video quality when streaming Netflix on your Windows PC or Chromebook, but what if you own a Mac? Well, then this is the article for you.
In Short
Use the latest version of Safari and macOS on select Mac computers built after 2018 for 4K video quality.
How to stream videos in 4K UHD and HDR with a Mac computer
According to the help section on the Netflix website, Ultra HD resolutions are available on select Mac computers from 2018 or later that run macOS 11.0 Big Sur and are using the latest version of Safari.
Now, that could be a bit of an issue for some of you considering macOS 11.0 Big Sur isn’t officially at the moment. However, there is a beta version and if past releases are any indicator, Apple should be releasing Big Sur very soon. And sorry to all you fans of Chrome, Firefox, or Opera because these browsers are limited to 720p.
What about high dynamic range? I’m glad you asked, for that, Netflix only requires macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or later on a compatible Mac model featuring an HDR-capable display. You will also need to use the latest version of Safari.
Of course, this is also dependent on you subscribing to a plan that supports Ultra HD streaming and a connection speed of 25Mbps or higher.
Note: Select outbound links may include affiliate tracking codes. Revenue generated from any potential purchases is used to fund AndroidGuys. Read our policy.
Netflix may be missing its expectations for subscriber numbers growing, but one thing is certain: millions of people still love and use the platform on a daily basis. The competition by Apple TV and Disney+ is a good thing; it forces Netflix to add more high-quality content.
For Mac users, however, there’s a problem: there’s no Netflix app for Mac. Maybe it’s an Apple’s thing. Maybe they don’t want you to have a dedicated app, so you’ll focus on Apple TV. Whatever the case is, the lack of Netflix app for Mac means we’ll have to find a way to work around the issue. Fortunately, there is a way.
We’ll share a few tips on how to watch content, but we’ll also explain how to download Netflix on Mac for offline viewing. But keep in mind that we’ll talk about a legal Netflix download.
The Simplest Way to Watch Netflix on Mac
The easiest way to access Netflix content through your Mac is to simply use your browser. That’s the method the platform suggests. To set up Netflix for Mac, you’ll simply get at the website, sign into your account, and stream away.
But wait; everyone knows how to do that. We promised a Netflix download here. Fortunately, it’s possible to download content for offline viewing.
This is where AirPlay gets into the picture.
When you access your Netflix app on iPad or iPhone, you’ll notice that you can download content. The Netflix download button is not always available, but it’s there on most original shows. However, you won’t see it when you access the platform via laptop.
That’s why you’ll connect your computer to your phone or tablet via AirPlay. Open AirPlay on the device and go for the Screen Mirroring feature. Then, you’ll see your Mac in the list of available devices for mirroring. Choose it. You’ll see the phone’s display on your Mac. Get into the Netflix app and download the content you need.
That answers your question: can you watch Netflix offline on Mac? Yes; you can. Thanks to the Apple ecosystem that effortlessly connects devices, you won’t even feel like you lack the Netflix app for Mac.
Another Option: Use the Screen Recording Feature to Watch Netflix on Mac Offline
Let’s say you don’t have a problem accessing Netflix through its website. The only issue is that you can’t stream content offline. If you’re planning a weekend getaway in a remote area, that’s a big problem. How do you prepare a few episodes and possibly a movie ahead, so you can watch it later?
If you hit Command+Shift+5 on your Mac, you’ll see the screenshot and screen recording options. If you record the screen while the video streams, you’ll be able to save the file and watch it offline. This is a rather inconvenient option that takes a lot of time. You have to play an entire movie just to get a Netflix download on your computer. However, it’s pretty cool for people who want to watch their favorite episodes multiple times.
We have to mention the fact that this is considered privacy. Your default screen recording tool might not get you through the entire episode or movie. Capto is a third-party app with better screen recording functionality.
Keep this in mind: since piracy is illegal, make sure you’re recording Netflix for Mac for personal use only. Never share that content with someone else!
Your Final Option: Get a Netflix Download via Windows
If you know that you won’t have Internet connection where you going and you absolutely need the app on your computer for offline viewing, you can install Windows 10 on your computer.
You didn’t see this coming, did you?
This is a workaround for extreme cases. Once you setup Windows on your Mac, you can download and install the Netflix app. It supports the download function, so that gets your offline Netflix for Mac.
Now you may be wondering: “Can’t I download Netflix content on a Windows computer and then watch it on my Mac?” Unfortunately, you won’t be able to do that. Netflix gives you the download feature for some content, but you’ll be able to watch your downloaded titles only through the device that you used to get them. If you got them on an iPad or iPhone, you can use the screen mirroring feature to watch the content on a Mac. But if you got them on a Windows computer, you can’t transfer them. That’s why we suggest installing Windows if you really need to download and use the full-featured Netflix app for Mac.
Can You Watch Netflix Offline on Mac?
Mac users are used to the ultimate convenience. As they always say about their computers “they just work.” In the Netflix case, they don’t really work. The platform limits your access only through a browser. That’s nice, but it doesn’t work if you want to watch content offline.
There are three potential solutions, which we listed above. Choose the one that works for you, and happy watching!