Netflix downloads work differently on Mac than on iPhone or iPad
Netflix does not let you download shows and movies directly on a Mac computer the way you can on a phone or tablet. The download feature is built into the Netflix app for iOS and Android, but the Mac version of Netflix — whether you use the web browser or the Mac app — does not include a download button.
If you want to watch Netflix content offline on your Mac, you have three actual options: use a phone or tablet to download, stream from a device that has downloaded content, or use the Netflix app on a Windows PC instead. Each approach has different trade-offs depending on what you own and how you plan to watch.
Key Takeaways
- The Netflix Mac app and web browser do not have a download feature, so you cannot save shows directly to your computer.
- You can download Netflix content on an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, then watch those downloads on any device signed into your account.
- Netflix downloads on phones and tablets expire after a set period — usually 30 days, or 7 days for some titles — and must be refreshed by opening the Netflix app.
- If you use Windows instead of Mac, the Netflix app for Windows 10 and later does support downloads.
- Downloaded content uses your device's storage space and counts against your Netflix plan's simultaneous streaming limit.
Download on iPhone or iPad, then watch on your Mac
The most practical workaround is to download content on an iPhone or iPad, then watch it on your Mac. Both devices need to be signed into the same Netflix account. Open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet, find the show or movie you want, tap the download icon (usually a downward arrow), and wait for the download to finish.
Once downloaded, you can watch that content on your Mac by opening Netflix in a web browser or the Mac app and playing it normally — but only while you are connected to the internet. The download itself stays on your phone or tablet. This approach works if you have an Apple device but does not actually give you offline viewing on the Mac itself.
Downloaded titles expire after 30 days on most shows and movies, though some titles have a 7-day window. Netflix will remind you before expiration. To keep watching, open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet and refresh the download by tapping the title again.
Check your Netflix plan to see which titles can be downloaded
Not every show or movie on Netflix can be downloaded. The ability to download depends on licensing agreements between Netflix and the studios that own the content. Some titles have no download option at all, even on phones and tablets where the feature exists.
To find downloadable content, open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet and look for the Downloads section in the menu. You can also search for a specific title and look for the download icon next to the play button. If the icon is not there, that title cannot be downloaded on any device.
Use a Windows PC if you need downloads on a computer
If you have access to a Windows computer, the Netflix app for Windows 10 and Windows 11 includes a download feature that works similarly to the phone app. You can download shows and movies directly to the Windows PC and watch them offline without an internet connection.
To download on Windows, open the Netflix app, find a title with a download icon, click the icon, and choose the video quality (lower quality uses less storage space). The downloaded file stays on your Windows computer until it expires or you delete it. This is the only way to download Netflix content directly onto a computer.
Understand how downloads count against your account
Netflix limits how many devices can stream at the same time based on your plan. A Basic plan allows one stream, Standard allows two, and Premium allows four. Downloaded content counts toward this limit while it is being watched, but not while it is sitting on your device waiting to be played.
Downloaded files also use your device's storage space. A single episode of a show might use 500 MB to 2 GB depending on the video quality you choose when downloading. Movies typically use 1 GB to 4 GB. If your phone or tablet is running low on storage, downloaded Netflix content takes up real space you cannot use for other apps or files.
Refresh downloads before they expire
Netflix downloads have an expiration date built in. Most titles expire 30 days after you download them, though some licensed content expires after 7 days. You do not need to delete and re-download — simply open the Netflix app on the device where you downloaded the content and play the title or tap the refresh button next to it.
Netflix will send you a notification before a download expires, usually a few days in advance. If you do not refresh before the expiration date, the download becomes unwatchable and you will need to download it again from scratch. This is a licensing requirement, not a technical limitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Netflix shows on my Mac using the web browser?
No. The Netflix website in any browser on Mac does not have a download option. Downloads are only available on the Netflix app for iPhone, iPad, Android phones, and Windows computers.
If I download a show on my iPad, can I watch it on my Mac without internet?
No. The download stays on your iPad. To watch on your Mac, you need an internet connection to stream the content from Netflix's servers, even though the same title is downloaded on your other device.
What happens if I delete the Netflix app on my phone after downloading shows?
The downloaded files are deleted along with the app. If you reinstall Netflix later, those downloads are gone and you would need to download them again. The downloads are stored within the app itself, not as separate files on your device.
Do downloaded Netflix shows take up storage space on my Mac?
Only if you download them on your Mac, which you cannot do through Netflix directly. If you download on an iPhone or iPad, those files take up space on that device, not on your Mac.
Can I share downloaded Netflix content with someone else?
No. Downloaded content is tied to your Netflix account and the device it was downloaded on. Another person would need to sign into your account on that device to watch the downloads, or download the content themselves on their own device using their own account.