Netflix is a popular entertainment hub, with a huge selection of TV shows and movies to choose from. But what if you want to watch Netflix shows on your mac while offline? Can you do that? The short answer is yes; you can download content and watch it later
However, there are a few things you need to know before you get started. Below are steps to help to download Netflix shows on Mac, so you can watch your favorite programs even when you’re not connected to the internet.
How to Download Netflix Movies on a Mac
Regrettably, you cannot download movies because the streaming giant has not yet launched an official Netflix app for Mac. Does this mean you can no longer watch your favorite films while offline? No.
You can still watch those movies on your Mac without an internet connection using a few safe and legal workarounds. Here is some advice on how to download movies on a Mac.
Utilize Boot Camp and Windows
Boot Camp, is an application on your Mac that lets you run Windows within the Mac operating system. You can use it to download Netflix shows and movies onto your Mac. First, launch the Windows OS, then download the Netflix app.
Then, open File Explorer in Windows and go to the Downloads folder. Locate the Netflix installer file for your region and double-click it to begin downloading it onto your hard drive.
Once the Netflix app is in place, follow the procedure below:
1. Go to the Netflix website and log in.
2. Hover over your profile name in the top right corner of the screen and click “Account.”
3. Under “My Profile,” click “Manage Profiles.”
4. Click the profile you want to edit. If you only have one profile, it will be selected by default.
5. Scroll down to “Downloading Movies & TV Shows” and select the button next to “On.” Doing this allows you to download shows on your computer. Note that this setting is specific to each profile, so you’ll need to turn it on for each profile you want to download movies from Netflix.
6. Find a movie or TV show you want to download and hover over the title until an arrow icon pointing down appears. Click the icon and select “Download.” The movie or TV show will start downloading immediately. You can check the progress of your downloads by clicking on the down arrow icon next to your profile name again and selecting “View Downloads.”
7. Once your download is complete, you can watch the show from the app at your convenience.
Whenever you try to download a movie or TV show on Netflix, the company checks with its servers to see if the title you want is available in your area. If it isn’t licensed to stream in your region, it will give you an error message and refuse to play it.
What Devices Can You Use to Watch Netflix Movies?
There are several devices you can use to watch Netflix movies, assuming you have a Netflix account in place.
You can watch Netflix movies through the Netflix website on your computer. All you need is a browser and an internet connection. You can also watch Netflix movies on your television. To do this, you need to connect your computer to your TV. There are several ways to do this:
- HDMI cables
- Wireless HDMI adapters
- Chromecast, and
- Game consoles like Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
If you have a smart TV, you may be able to log in to your Netflix account directly and watch movies that way. Alternatively, you can use a streaming media player like Roku or Amazon Fire TV Stick. These devices connect to your TV and allow you to stream movies from streaming platforms like Netflix.
How to Find Downloaded Netflix Movies on Your Mac
Here’s how to find Netflix movies and shows you’ve downloaded:
1. Open the Finder application.
2. In the left sidebar, under “Locations,” click on your hard drive.
3. Find and click on the folder called “Users.”
4. Find and click on the folder with your username.
5. Find and click on the folder called “Library.”
6. Find and click on the folder called “Application Support.”
7. Find and click on the folder called “Netflix.”
8. Your downloaded movies should be in the “Downloads” section of the Netflix folder.
Stream via Airplay to get Netflix for Mac
You can do this with a few different devices as long as they are AirPlay compatible. To begin with, confirm that you are connected to WiFi. Then, download the Netflix app onto the iOS gadget. Tap Screen Mirroring after opening AirPlay on your iOS device. Select your Mac, launch the Netflix app, and pick the movie or TV show you wish to view.
Keep in mind that, despite what some other websites may advise, you shouldn’t screen record programs because it’s against the terms of service of Netflix.
Is it Possible to Watch Netflix Offline on Mac?
Watching Netflix offline on a mac is a possibility although you need to do something extra.
First, download and install the Netflix app on an iOS device. You can do this by going to the App Store and searching for Netflix.
Once you have the Netflix iOS app installed, launch it and sign in with your account. Once you are signed in, click on the menu icon in the top-left corner of the screen and select “Account.”
Scroll down to the “My Profile” section and click on “Playback Settings.” Here, you will see an option that says “Download Quality.” Click on this and select “High.”
Now that you have made these changes go back to the app’s main screen and find a show or movie you want to watch offline. Hover your mouse over the title and click on the download icon.
The show or movie will now begin downloading onto your Mac. Once it is finished, you can find it in the “My Downloads” section of the Netflix app. To watch Netflix offline, click on it and choose “Play”. Then tap screen mirroring, and select your mac in the devices section.
Is Downloading Netflix Videos Legal?
There is a lot of confusion surrounding the legality of downloading Netflix videos. While it’s not ideal, there are times when downloading movies from the Netflix app isn’t entirely illegal. For example, if you’re doing so for personal use, then it’s not against the law.
The main issue is that Netflix has exclusive rights to the movies and TV shows in its catalog. When you download a video, you are making a copy of that content, but you have permission to do so courtesy of your subscription. It does not violate the copyright of the content owner, which is usually the studio that produced the movie or TV show.
But it could be illegal under copyright laws if you’re downloading these files for commercial purposes, such as selling them on eBay or Craigslist.
If you’re going to download movies from Netflix, make sure you aren’t copying them to a hard drive or USB drive to sell them. Doing this can result in an infringement lawsuit that could cost you thousands of dollars in legal fees.
So, what does this mean? If you do choose to download films from Netflix, do so for personal use, so you don’t infringe on any copyright laws.
A Word About Safety
Safety is always a primary concern when it comes to streaming movies and TV shows online. Thankfully, Netflix is a safe and reputable site that takes measures to protect its users. When you download movies from Netflix on your Mac, you can rest assured that your information is safe and secure.
Best Netflix Alternatives for Mac
There are plenty of great Netflix alternatives for Mac users. Here are a few of our favorites:
Hulu
Hulu has a great selection of both TV shows and movies. They also offer a variety of plans, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video has a large selection of TV shows and movies, including many exclusive projects. You can also add channels like HBO to your plan for an additional fee.iTunes
iTunes offers a huge selection of movies and TV shows, including many recent releases. You can buy or rent individual episodes or entire seasons.
Google Play Movies & TV
Google Play Movies & TV has a smaller selection than other options, but it’s still worth checking out. You can buy or rent individual titles or subscribe to their all-you-can-watch service.
These are just a few of the great Netflix alternatives for Mac users. Be sure to check out all of your options before making your final decision.
How to Delete Downloaded Netflix Shows on a Mac
If you’re running out of storage space on your Mac, you may want to delete some of the Netflix shows you downloaded. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Netflix iOS app on your Mac.
2. Click on the My Downloads tab at the top of the screen.
3. Select the show or movie you want to delete and click the trash can icon.
4. Confirm that you want to delete the show or movie by clicking Delete in the pop-up window.
If you’re a Netflix subscriber, you may be wondering if it’s possible to download movies on Mac. The answer is yes. With the Netflix app and Windows, courtesy of Boot Camp, you can easily download your favorite movies and TV shows for offline viewing.
It’s great for when you want to watch something but don’t have an internet connection. So, if you’re looking for a way to watch Netflix offline on your Mac, be sure to try the approaches mentioned above.