Today we list the best 3 ways which help you download Netflix TV Shows and movies to Windows PC and Mac OS X with ease. Note: Because not all of videos are permitted to be downloaded from Netflix, you’d better download the videos under the premise of proprietors. Download Netflix HD Videos with Netflix Video Downloader.
Netflix gives you the option to download shows on their Windows app, as well as Android and iOS, but there is no such thing for Mac users. For a long time now, I was looking for a way to download my favorite Netflix shows on a Mac, and there wasn’t any working solution. Until today.
So, I recently found out a way to download Netflix videos on Mac. And no, we are not talking about recording Mac’s screen. Instead, we’ll use an app called Parallels, which lets you run Windows on your Mac. Yes, you can also run Windows on the Mac with Boot Camp but that will require you to restart your Mac every time you need to switch to Windows and not to mention the complicated setup. Parallels, on the other hand, is an optimized virtual machine, so it runs Windows within macOS. The setup is simple and would take around 15 minutes. And it even works flawlessly even with a VPN, so you can watch geo-restricted shows like the office the US without any glitch. And if that’s not enough, it even lets you watch 4k content on your Mac. Sounds awesome. Let’s see how you go about it.
Download Netflix Movies on Mac
Step 1: Install Parallels on a Mac
Go to www.parallels.com and download Parallels Desktop application for your computer. Although the single license costs $80, there is a 14 days trial with full access to the software.
Within the trial period, you won’t be bugged with any watermarks or asked for your credit card information. So, it makes sense to use this if you are going for a vacation where the internet might be expensive or non-existent.
If you like the software then you can purchase a license after trial runs its course.
Once you download Parallels’s dmg file, install it on your Mac, like you install any other software.
My favorite thing about Parallels is that the installation is extremely simple. Simply, run the software, and it’ll take care of everything, from installing Windows to configuring it. In fact, I ran the installer and went for a walk. Once I came back, Windows was ready to go. I was surprised, I didn’t have to click even a single button.
You may get a popup that would read System Extension Blocked, it means your macOS requires an exception in Security Preferences for this application. Click the button to open the Settings page and grant the permissions.
You just have to click a single button to grant the exception, click ‘Allow’ to begin the setup process. It would also prompt you to enter the macOS account credentials and authenticate the transaction before granting the exception.
It automatically fetches the Windows copy from the Windows server so you don’t have to download the Windows ISO. Parallels download an evaluation copy of Windows though. It would take a few minutes to install though as the package is around 5GB.
Netflix Party On Mac
After downloading the setup files, Parallels would automatically begin the installation process and you would be greeted with the installation screen. If you’ve never used windows, this screen means you’re already there and it would take a couple of more minutes to finalize the settings.
After finishing the installation, you will be able to use your Windows right out of the box. No need to install any drivers or anything. It’s that simple.
After the installation is finished, Parallels will ask you to create a free account. To save some time, you can log in with your Google account and you’re up and going.
And there you go, Windows on a Mac. Cool. The Windows desktop replicates Mac’s desktop to Windows and adds all the files on the Windows desktop too which is cool. I can access my documents easily without having to manually copy the contents from macOS to the simulated Windows.
Step 2: Install the Netflix app
Next up, we need to download the Netflix app on Windows, so, open the Windows Store, search for Netflix, click ‘Get’ and there you go. You can even install Netflix without signing in to a Microsoft account. Good job Microsoft.
Now, once you have the Netflix app, log in to the Netflix app with your credentials. One thing I noticed while I was setting up the Netflix account is the overall smoothness, I mean it’s unreal. It works even better than some Windows computers out there.
I tested this on the least powerful 2015, 128 GB MacBook Air. If this work on this MacBook, it’ll work on most Macs out there.
After logging in to Netflix, let’s go ahead and download something to test if it actually works. Not everything is available to download though, to find the shows, available for download, go to the ‘Available for Download’ section in the menu. If the title you want to download from Netflix isn’t available for download, then you got no other option than to capture the screen as you watch it.
Once you find the title you want to download from the available catalog and click the Download button to start the download.
You will then see a blue progress bar along the bottom of the app. Once the download finishes, it would show up in the download library of the Netflix app. You can find your downloaded shows by going to the menu and tapping My Downloads. Simply press play and start watching your videos.
The videos are downloaded in your Macbook storage, so make sure you have enough memory.
You can even play videos with the Internet off. You can try this by turning off the WiFi on your mac. I watched the entire episode on the Airplane mode to test the app and it worked just fine.
Read: Remove Shows From Continue Watching on Netflix App (Android | iOS)
The Netflix app retains all the features even though being simulated on a sandbox, including the smart downloads, which will automatically delete an episode once you’ve watched and downloaded the next one when you are connected to the Internet.
To enable the smart download or to download videos in higher video quality, go to the menu and scroll down to Downloads. Under Downloads, tap Video Quality and choose the quality that works for you.
It remembers how far along you’ve watched the episode and resumes even after you restart the Parallels’ session on the mac. It’s safe to say the method is pretty dope at this point.
Step 3: Download Geoblocked content
We have a fully functional Netflix app that stores all the downloaded files safely in the system. While I don’t have a shortage of titles, there are a few strays which are not available in my country. You can use a VPN to circumvent the geo-restrictions to access the content from around the world.
Turn on your VPN that supports Netflix unblock, (we recommend Nord VPN or Smart DNS Proxy VPN) and connect to a location where the content might not be blocked. I usually look for titles like The Office as it isn’t available in my country. Just search for the title and it should show up in the search results on the Netflix app.
If by any chance the app doesn’t pull up the titles, it could be because of the Cache issue. Restarting the Netflix app within the Windows won’t solve this problem, you would have to close the Parallels app on your mac and restart the sandbox.
After booting the Windows up, open the Netflix app again, try searching for the title again and it should pop in the results now.
Step 4: Play Netflix in 4K on a Mac
The party is still not over, there is one final thing. It can play Netflix 4k content on the Mac. Until now, you could only do this on Windows. We’re still playing the content on Windows but it’s on a Mac now. You would need a Macbook or a TV which supports 4K screen. Also, upgrade your Netflix account to the one which has 4K playback options.
Read: How to Watch Netflix in 1080p on Chrome and FireFox
I tested this on a few Macs lying around including a MacBook Pro and an iMac, it works on every device. You can even watch 4K content on Edge browser but Safari and Chrome simply don’t play Netflix content in 4K so there’s that.
Read: 10 Chrome Extensions to Supercharge Your Netflix Experience
Closing Words
This is how to download Netflix movies on Mac. I’ve been using the setup for the past three days and it works flawlessly. There aren’t any watermarks on the simulated Windows and the software doesn’t nag you to upgrade to premium. I’ll update the results if there are any updates with this method. As of now, I’ve to go and pack my bags.
Read: How To Watch Netflix Together With Remote Friend (Android | iOS)
What’s a perfect way to pass the time during long car rides or plane trips? Watching movies or TV shows is always a good idea. With Netflix, downloading your favorite ones on iOS or Windows devices is a piece of cake. But it works less straightforward on macOS.
So how to download from Netflix on Mac? In this article, we’ll show you a few legal workarounds. You can use these methods with no risk of your subscription termination as none of them violate Netflix’s terms and conditions.
Can you download Netflix shows on Mac?
Netflix is one of the biggest streaming services, but it still has no app for macOS. Luckily, it’s optimized for the most popular browsers. So if you’re a Mac user with a Netflix subscription, you can watch a new season of Stranger Things right in your Chrome, Safari, Opera, or Firefox browser.
Keep away from ads promise to help you install the Netflix app on your Mac. Cybercriminals often exploit this trap to infect computers with malware. If you downloaded such software before, your Mac might be affected by viruses.
Don’t download from pirate sites
Netflix shows are a sweet spot for pirates. You can find many Chinese sites that illegally distribute Netflix content and spice it with ads and malware.
If you don’t believe, just Google your favorite show and the Chinese equivalent for “watch online” from Google Translate.
If you ever go down this route (which is illegal), make sure your Mac some layer of protection.
Our favorite is CleanMyMac X by MacPaw, as it’s empowered with the Malware removal feature. That means it can detect and destroy Mac-specific threats once and for all. And this app is notarized by Apple.
Here’s how to deal with potential malware using CleanMyMac X:
- Download CleanMyMac X free version — here’s the direct link.
- Launch it and select the Malware removal module in the sidebar.
- Hit Scan and wait for a few seconds.
- If CleanMyMac X finds anything suspicious, it’ll let you know. But no reason to panic, as you can remove any hazard with one more click.
For an extra layer of protection, turn on a real-time malware monitor. Go to CleanMyMac X menu > Preferences, choose the Protection tab, and click on the checkbox. From now, you’ll instantly find out whenever malware is about to attack your Mac.
So, can you download Netflix movies on Mac via the browser-based version? Unfortunately, there’s no way to do that yet. But the Netflix app for iPhone, iPad, and Windows comes with the Download button. Let’s see how to create a cinematic experience on your Mac computer with its help.
How to watch Netflix offline on Mac via Screen Mirroring
The bad news is Netflix won’t play on Mac by Airplay anymore for some technical limitations. That means no chance to stream Netflix content directly to your AirPlay-compatible computer. Still, you can share downloaded movies and shows using Screen Mirroring. Both the iPhone and iPad will do the job.
First, download the Netflix app from AppStore and sign in to your account. Find the movie or TV show you want to download, select it, and tap the Download icon.
From there, make Screen Mirroring work with Netflix using Quick Player:
- Connect your device to a computer via the USB cable.
- Launch Quick Player on your Mac from the Application folder.
- Click on the File menu and choose New Movie Recording.
- Go to the drop-down menu next to the red recording button.
- Select your device’s name from the Camera and Microphone lists.
- Go to the Netflix app and choose the content you want to play. Enjoy the show on the bigger screen!
Never copy Netflix content from iOS to Mac by screen-recording. Copying a movie isn’t the same as watching one via screen mirroring. It’s not legal and can lead to termination of your Netflix subscription.
Although this is the easiest method to mirror iOS screen to Mac, it’s not wireless. If you have no cable at hand, screen-mirroring tools might help. All you need to do is to:
- Make sure you have good internet and connect both devices to one WiFi network.
- Open the app on your computer.
- Go to Control Center on your iOS device and click on Screen Mirroring.
- Select your Mac’s name from the list. Now when your iOS screen appears on your Mac, go to the Netflix app and start the show.
Netflix
Opt only for reliable third-party software to keep your computer free from viruses. To be on the safe side, I enabled real-time protection in CleanMyMac X. It scans my Mac on the background and lets me know if something suspicious occurs.
How to download movies from Netflix on Mac with Boot Camp
Netflix Download On Computer Mac
If you have no iOS devices, installing Windows on your Mac is the way to go. Here is when Boot Camp Assistant comes in handy. It helps set Windows on Mac and switches between two operating systems with ease.
What you need to install Windows on Mac
- The latest macOS update
- At least 64 GB of free storage space on a startup disk. Apple recommends having 128 GB for a better experience
- A 64-bit copy of Windows 10 disk image (ISO file) — head over to the Microsoft Software Download page to get it
- An external USB flash drive with 16 GB or more, unless you’re using a Mac that doesn’t need a flash drive to install Windows
Back up your data and quit all running apps before the installation process.
How to install Windows 10 on Mac
- Go to Folder > Applications > Utilities.
- Launch Boot Camp Assistant and click Continue.
- Tab the Choose button. Select the ISO file and click Open.
- Set the Boot Camp partition size. Note that you can’t modify it later. Once you’re ready, click Install.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to install Windows. If the installer asks where to place your Windows copy, select the Boot Camp partition and click Format.
After installation, your Mac will reboot into the Windows 10 setup and open Boot Camp Assistant. Follow the instructions to download and install the required Windows drivers. Once done, click Finish to restart your computer. It’ll load back into Windows.
Grab your copy of the Netflix app from Microsoft Store and sign in to your account. Since Netflix supports downloading TV shows and movies on Windows, you’ll have no trouble watching them later when you can’t be online.
Download Netflix shows on Mac using Android emulator
macOS platform remains isolated in many ways. At the same time, Android apps are more versatile when it comes to Netflix streaming and downloads.
As a workaround, you can run an Android emulator, for example Blue Stacks, so you can install Netflix on your Mac.
Since downloading entire seasons requires disk space, make sure you also got a quick eraser for unwanted files. To quickly free up space taken by media junk and system junk, download CleanMyMac X – it’s the best disk space manager for the Mac. With Blue Stacks and CleanMyMac X at hand, you’ll be fully equipped for the job.
Netflix Download On Desktop Mac
Hope these tips will help you enjoy Netflix movies offline on your Mac whenever you want.