Netflix downloads work through the Netflix app, not the web browser
You cannot download Netflix content through Safari or any web browser on a Mac. Netflix downloads are only available in the Netflix app, which you can get from the Mac App Store. Once you install the app and sign in with your account, you can download movies and TV episodes to watch offline — they stay on your Mac until you delete them or they expire.
The download feature works the same way across Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Downloaded content uses your device's storage space, so a two-hour movie might take 500 MB to 3 GB depending on video quality. You can manage how much storage Netflix uses and delete downloads whenever you want.
Key Takeaways
- Download Netflix content only through the Netflix app from the Mac App Store, not through a web browser.
- Not every title on Netflix is available to download — availability depends on licensing agreements with studios.
- Downloaded videos expire after a set period (usually 30 days for TV shows, longer for movies), and you must refresh them by opening the Netflix app while online.
- You can choose download quality in the app settings to control how much storage space each download uses.
Installing the Netflix app on Mac
Open the Mac App Store (the blue icon with a white "A" in your Applications folder or Launchpad). Search for "Netflix" in the search box at the top right. Click the Netflix result, then click the "Get" button, and sign in with your Apple ID if prompted. The app downloads and installs automatically.
Once installation finishes, click "Open" to launch Netflix, or find it in your Applications folder. Sign in with your Netflix email and password. Your account, watch history, and saved titles appear just as they do on other devices.
Finding and downloading a title
Open the Netflix app and search for or browse to the movie or show you want to download. Click on the title to open its details page. Look for a download icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow inside a circle. Click it once, and Netflix begins downloading the content to your Mac.
A progress bar appears next to the download icon showing how much of the file has downloaded. Once it finishes, the icon changes to show a checkmark or filled circle. You can continue browsing Netflix while downloads happen in the background, and you can download multiple titles at once.
Why some titles cannot be downloaded
Not every Netflix title has a download button. Availability depends on agreements between Netflix and the studios or networks that own the content. Some movies and shows are licensed only for streaming, not for offline viewing. If you do not see a download icon on a title's page, that content cannot be downloaded on any device.
Netflix does not publish a list of downloadable titles in advance. The easiest way to find downloadable content is to browse Netflix's "Available to Download" section, which appears in the app's menu and shows only titles you can actually download.
Managing downloads and storage space
To see all your downloads, click the "Downloads" tab at the bottom of the Netflix app. This shows every title you have downloaded, how much storage each one uses, and when it will expire. You can delete a download by clicking the three dots next to it and selecting "Remove Download." Deleting a download does not remove it from your Netflix account — you can download it again later.
To control how much storage Netflix uses, open the Netflix app menu (three horizontal lines in the top left), click "Settings," then scroll to "Downloads." You can set a maximum storage limit, and Netflix will delete older downloads automatically once you reach that limit. You can also choose download quality here: "Standard" uses less space, while "High" uses more but looks better on a larger screen.
How long downloads stay on your Mac
Downloaded movies typically remain on your device indefinitely, as long as your Netflix subscription stays active. Downloaded TV episodes usually expire after 30 days, though this varies by title and licensing agreement. When an episode is about to expire, Netflix shows a countdown timer next to it in your Downloads list.
To refresh an expiring download and extend its time on your Mac, open the Netflix app while connected to the internet and click the refresh icon next to the title. Netflix re-downloads it with a new expiration date. You must do this while online — you cannot refresh downloads while offline.
Watching your downloaded content
Click the "Downloads" tab in the Netflix app and select the title you want to watch. It plays immediately, whether you are connected to the internet or not. Downloaded content plays at the same quality you chose during download, and you can pause, rewind, and fast-forward just as you would with streaming content.
If you are offline when you try to play a download, Netflix will play it without requiring an internet connection. However, Netflix does require an internet connection at least once every 30 days to verify your subscription is still active, even if you only watch downloaded content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Netflix content on my Mac and watch it on my iPhone?
No. Downloads are tied to the device where you downloaded them. A movie downloaded on your Mac stays only on your Mac. If you want to watch it on your iPhone, you must download it separately on that device using the Netflix app.
What happens to my downloads if I cancel my Netflix subscription?
Downloaded content becomes unwatchable once your subscription ends. Netflix requires an internet connection every 30 days to verify your subscription is active, and downloaded files are encrypted to your account. Reactivating your subscription restores access to your downloads.
Can I transfer downloaded Netflix files to another computer or external drive?
No. Netflix downloads are encrypted and locked to the device and account that downloaded them. You cannot copy, move, or share the files. The only way to watch Netflix content on another Mac is to download it on that Mac using the Netflix app and your account.
Does downloading use my internet data if I have a monthly limit?
Yes. Downloading uses data from your internet connection, just like streaming does. The amount depends on the download quality you choose — "Standard" uses less data than "High." Once downloaded, watching the content offline does not use any additional data.
Why does Netflix say a title is available to download but the download button does not appear?
This can happen if the licensing agreement for that title changed recently, or if your Netflix plan does not support downloads. Some Netflix plans (usually the cheapest ones) do not include download features. Check your account plan in Settings to confirm downloads are included.