Watching Netflix movies and shows offline on your laptop can be incredibly convenient when you don’t have an internet connection. But is it actually possible to download Netflix content directly onto your laptop for offline viewing?
The short answer is yes, with some caveats. The Netflix mobile apps for Windows 10 and MacOS allow subscribers to download select content for offline playback within the app. However, these downloads are temporary, expiring after 7 days and requiring renewal. The downloads are protected by DRM and cannot be transferred outside the apps.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about can you download Netflix movies on laptop and Windows or Mac.
Key Takeaways
- It is possible to download Netflix movies and shows to a laptop for offline viewing, but it requires using the Netflix mobile app for Windows 10 or the Netflix Mac app.
- Downloaded Netflix content can only be viewed within the mobile apps. It does not appear in your regular laptop folders or media apps.
- On Windows 10, install the Netflix app from the Microsoft Store and use it to download content. On Mac, get the Netflix Mac app from the App Store.
- Look for the download icon on movie/show titles that are available for offline viewing. Not all titles can be downloaded.
- Before downloading, you can select video quality. Higher quality uses more storage space.
- Downloads continue in the background even if the app is closed. Find downloads in the “My Downloads” section.
Can You Download Netflix Movies on Laptop: Overview of Downloading Netflix Movies
Exploring the world of streaming services, there are a plethora of options available for viewers. Not only can you watch your favorite shows on Netflix, but it’s also possible to catch live sports events without any hassle, such as the Chiefs game, which you can watch online for free.
Netflix offers offline downloading support on mobile devices like phones and tablets. But many Netflix subscribers wonder – can you download Netflix movies and shows onto a laptop for offline viewing? The answer is yes, it is possible, but it requires using the Netflix mobile app for Windows 10 or the Netflix Mac app.
Downloaded Netflix content can only be viewed within the Netflix mobile app, and will not appear in your regular laptop media folders or apps. But it provides a convenient way to watch Netflix offline on your laptop during travel or when internet access is limited.
How to Download Netflix Movies on a Windows Laptop
Can you download Netflix movies on laptop? Yes, Windows 10 laptop users can download and watch Netflix movies and shows offline by using the Netflix app for Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store. Here are the steps:
Install the Netflix App
- Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows 10 laptop
- Search for “Netflix”
- Install the Netflix app for Windows 10
- Open the app and log into your Netflix account
Find Downloadable Content
- Browse or search for a Netflix movie or show you want to download
- Look for the downward arrow icon which indicates the title is available for download
- Not all titles can be downloaded, due to licensing restrictions
Select Video Quality
- Before downloading, you can select download video quality
- Choose from Standard, Higher, or Highest quality
- Higher video quality uses more storage space
Download Movies and Shows
- Select the download icon to begin your download
- Downloads occur in the background even if app is closed
- Find your downloads in the “My Downloads” section of the app
Watch Downloaded Videos Offline
- Open the Netflix app in offline mode to view downloads
- You can watch downloads as many times as you want
- Downloads auto-expire after 7 days and will need to be renewed
How to Download Netflix Movies on a Mac Laptop
Mac laptop owners can also download and view Netflix movies and shows offline by using the Netflix Mac app from the Mac App Store. Follow these steps:
Install the Netflix Mac App
- Open the Mac App Store on your Mac
- Search for “Netflix”
- Install the Netflix Mac app
- Open the app and log in to your Netflix account
Find Downloadable Content
- Browse or search for a Netflix movie or show to download
- Look for the downward arrow icon which means it’s available offline
- Note that not everything can be downloaded due to licensing
Choose Video Quality
- Before downloading, select video quality
- Options are Good, Better, or Best
- Higher video quality uses more storage space
Download Movies and Shows
- Click the download icon to start your downloads
- Downloads continue even if app is closed
- Your downloads can be found in “My Downloads”
Watch Downloaded Videos Offline
- Open the Netflix app in offline mode to view downloads
- You can watch downloads multiple times
- Downloads expire after 7 days and need to be renewed
How to Download Netflix Movies on a Laptop Without the App
While the Netflix app is the recommended method for downloading content, there is a workaround to download Netflix movies without the app, but it’s not officially supported by Netflix and may not work for all titles. Here’s a brief overview of the process:
- Use a web browser: Open a web browser on your laptop and navigate to the Netflix website.
- Sign in to your Netflix account: Log in to your Netflix account using your credentials.
- Locate the movie or TV show you want to download: Find the title you want to download and start playing it.
- Open the video’s source code: Right-click on the video player and select “Inspect” or “View Page Source” from the context menu.
- Locate the video URL: In the source code, look for a URL that ends with .mp4. This is the video file’s URL.
- Download the video file: Copy the video file URL and paste it into a new browser tab. Press Enter to start downloading the video file.
Tips for Downloading Netflix Movies on a Laptop
Here are some useful tips to get the most out of downloading Netflix movies and shows on your laptop:
- Check how much storage space is available before downloading content
- Close unused apps and clear cache to free up space for downloads
- Download when connected to Wifi to avoid mobile data overages
- Select lower video quality if you are low on space
- Create download queues for movies or shows you want to watch later
- Periodically renew downloads nearing expiration
- Delete watched downloads to clear up storage space
- Downloads can’t be transferred to other devices or others’ accounts
Can You Download Netflix Movies on Laptop Permanently?
This is a common question with a not-so-fun answer. Downloads from Netflix are temporary, as they’re meant for offline viewing for a limited period. They come with an expiration date, post which, you’ll need to renew the download.
While it is possible to download movies and shows from Netflix for offline viewing, these downloads are temporary and not permanent. Netflix has digital rights management (DRM) restrictions in place that limit how long downloads can be saved.
Specifically, any movie or show downloaded from Netflix will have an expiration date of 7 days from the download date.
Expiration Limit of Downloads
After 7 days, the download will be automatically deleted and no longer accessible. This is to comply with licensing agreements that only allow Netflix to make content available for temporary offline playback.
To continue accessing a download past 7 days, users must manually renew the download within the Netflix app before it expires. Even if renewed, downloads will eventually be deleted after a certain time period. There is no setting to make downloads permanent or override the DRM limits.
The reason Netflix has these restrictions is to prevent copied content from being indefinitely and illegally distributed. So in summary – no, Netflix does not allow permanent downloads that can be kept indefinitely or transferred outside the app. Offline downloads are meant to enable short-term viewing when internet access is limited.
| Features | Windows Laptop | Mac Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| How to Download | Use Netflix app for Windows from Microsoft Store | Use Netflix Mac app from App Store |
| Download Options | Standard, Higher, Highest quality | Good, Better, Best quality |
| Download Limit | Up to 100 titles on up to 4 devices | Up to 100 titles on up to 4 devices |
| Download Location | Within Netflix app only, not in media folders | Within Netflix app only, not in media folders |
| Download Expiration | Downloads expire after 7 days | Downloads expire after 7 days |
| Internet Needed? | No, can watch offline | No, can watch offline |
| DRM Protection | Yes, can’t transfer downloads | Yes, can’t transfer downloads |
| Permanent Downloads? | No, downloads are temporary | No, downloads are temporary |
How to Download Netflix Movies on a Laptop for Free
You cannot download Netflix movies for free without a valid Netflix subscription.
Netflix is a subscription streaming service that requires payment to access content. While the Netflix app allows subscribers to download movies and shows for offline viewing, this feature comes with an active Netflix account.
There is no legitimate way to get free downloads of Netflix content without paying for a subscription. The Netflix apps have digital rights management (DRM) protections that prevent unauthorized copying or transfers. Trying to circumvent these measures by downloading without paying goes against Netflix terms of service and could lead to account banning.
FAQs
Can I download Netflix on my laptop without the app?
No, downloading Netflix content directly on a laptop without the app is not possible. The downloads feature is only available on the Netflix mobile apps for Windows 10 and MacOS.
Where are my Netflix downloads saved on my laptop?
Netflix downloads are saved within the Netflix app data. They do not appear in your regular photo, video, or download folders. Downloads are only accessible within the Netflix app.
Do Netflix downloads on laptop expire?
Yes, Netflix downloads expire after 7 days and will need to be renewed. This is to ensure content is available offline only temporarily per their licensing agreements.
Can I download Netflix on my laptop to watch offline later?
Yes, downloading Netflix movies and shows on your laptop allows you to watch them offline later without an internet connection. Downloads make Netflix viewing available offline.
How many Netflix movies can I download on my laptop?
Netflix allows you to download a maximum of 100 titles on up to 4 different devices. However, the actual number depends on your storage space available. More space allows more downloads.
Conclusion
That’s all about can you download Netflix movies on laptop. While you can’t download Netflix movies directly from the website, the Netflix mobile apps for Windows and Mac provide the ability to download shows and movies for offline viewing on laptops. This provides a great option for enjoying Netflix content on-the-go when you don’t have an active internet connection.
Just be sure to manage your storage space and renew expiring downloads. Now you can catch up on your favorite Netflix movies and shows, even without an internet connection.
