Sometimes, reliable internet just isn't possible. Whether I'm traveling on long-haul flights, staying in rural areas, or prepping for a camping trip. As a huge Netflix fan, I often worry about missing trending shows like Dept. Q or Squid Game. I planned to watch, but they could disappear from the catalog without notice.
Like many users, I’ve often asked: Is there a reliable way to download Netflix movies on my laptop, and what are my best options, especially when official support feels so limited? After testing multiple solutions and sifting through recent community advice, here’s what actually works to watch Netflix offline on Windows and Mac.
Can You Download Netflix Movies for Offline Viewing?
Yes. But limited. The official download function of Netflix is only launched on mobile devices like your iPhone or Android and iPad, etc. If you hered about this the first time here, I made a simple guide to download Netflix movies within the official Netflix app.
Download and install the official Netflix app on your supported device (such as an Android or iOS device).
Sign in to your Netflix account using your credentials.
Browse for the movie or show you want to download, then tap or click the Download icon next to it.
Once the download is complete, go to the Downloads section in the app to watch your content offline.
- Device type: Must use a supported device, such as an Android phone/tablet, iOS device, Amazon Fire tablet, or Chromebook with the Netflix app installed.
- Netflix app: The device must have the latest official Netflix app installed.
- Netflix account: A valid Netflix subscription is required (any paid plan; the ad-supported Basic plan does not support downloads).
- Storage space: The device must have sufficient space to store downloaded content.
- Internet connection: A stable connection is required to download content.
- Supported content: Due to copyright restrictions, only titles marked with the download icon can be downloaded.
- Device limit: The number of devices must not exceed the limit for the account's plan (Standard and Premium plans support more devices; Basic is limited to one).
- Account in good standing: The account must not be suspended or restricted.
How to Download Netflix Movies on Laptop?
Basically, we can only choose the third-party solutions to download movies from Netflix on Mac or Windows devices. And if you move the sight back to Netflix’s official download feature on mobile, you will find it exists, but is severely restricted.
- Windows: The Netflix app for Windows 10 or 11 did support downloads for a while, but this feature has been phased out for years, with many users reporting that downloads often fail or are not available for new content.
- Mac: There is still no official Netflix app for macOS, and browser downloads remain unsupported.
- Content limits: Even when downloads are possible, many titles are excluded due to licensing, and all downloads are DRM-protected, expiring after a set period (usually 30 days, or 48 hours after playback starts).
1. StreamFab Netflix Downloader
This tool is one of the most widely mentioned solutions to remove Netflix DRM protection for capturing Netflix content on both Windows and Mac laptops or desktops. And based on my experience, the extra download support for some screen enhancements, like HDR10, Dolby Vision, etc., makes its output quality higher than similar Netflix video downloaders on average. As far as I know, this is the only one that can do the same as it advertised.
| Pros |
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|---|---|
| Cons |
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System |
Windows 11/10 / macOS 10.10-15.x |
| Safety | No malware or adware was detected in my scans on Norton & Kaspersky |
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More info |
So, how to download Netflix movies limitlessly on Windows and Mac using StreamFab Netflix Downloader? Check the steps below:
When all the downloads are complete, you can watch them on your computer with your preferred media player, or transfer them to any other device for playback (including Android and iOS!).
2. MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader
MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader could be regarded as a weaker alternative to StreamFab to watch Netflix offline on Mac without Wi-Fi or on Windows without a stable network. It also supports 1080p MP4 format Netflix movie output. Unexpectedly, this Netflix downloader supports Dolby Digital 5.1, which is suitable for standard surround sound systems.
| Pros |
|
|---|---|
| Cons |
|
| Safety | Tested and proved safe with no malware or adware detected through Norton & Kaspersky |
| System |
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 / macOS 10.10-15.x |
Because MovPilot Netflix Downloader has no built-in browser, you have to prepare the URL of the Netflix videos you want first. Its search function sometimes does not work as well as the user expected. Then follow the instructions here to start:
3. Download Netflix Movies with Android Simulator
If you only prefer the official Netflix app, we also have a solution prepared for you. Actually, you may have met this method before while searching and browsing. The tool you will need is an Android simulator to run Netflix app on your device.
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Pros |
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|---|---|
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Cons |
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System |
Windows 11/10 / macOS 10.10-15.x |
| Safety | Popular choices like Bluestacks are tested safe through Norton & Kaspersky |
It pretends to be an Android system, so you can use it smoothly if you have ever used the official app on your mobile phone. I made an extra explanation of its configuration here.
Which Netflix Movie Download Method is the Best for You?
In previous sections, we talked about how to download movies from Netflix on laptop/desktop with a Windows/macOS system. Now that both these 3rd-party Netflix downloaders and the native Netflix app can do the job, which one should you choose?
Well, everyone has their own best solution in mind, here we shall just compare both the pros and cons of each approach and leave the final decision to you.
| Downloaders | StreamFab Netlfix Downloader | Mopilot Netflix Donwloader | Android Simulator |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Supported Devices |
Win/Mac |
Win/Mac |
Win/Mac |
|
Output Quality |
1080p, Dolby Vision, HDR10 + Dolby Atmos |
1080p + Dolby Digitals 5.1 |
1080p + Stereo/5.1 Surround Sound |
|
Download Speed |
7-9mb/s |
3-4mb/s |
1-2mb/s |
|
All Content Downloadable? |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Auto Download Mode |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
All the info sources author’s field tests & top user feedback; Besides, in case you are not clear about the differences between Dolby Atmos/Digital:
- Dolby Atmos: More immersive 3D surround sound, objects can move freely in space.
- Dolby Digital: Traditional 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, with fixed speaker channels.
Dolby Atmos (StreamFab) is a premium upgrade, while Dolby Digital (MovPilot) is a standard surround format.
FAQs
Netflix downloads last up to 30 days if unwatched. Once you start watching, they will expire within 48 hours. An internet connection is needed to renew the expiration date.
Conclusion
If you want to download Netflix movies on your laptop for offline viewing, the official app is not an option for Windows users or Mac users.
For many, using third-party tools like StreamFab Netflix Downloader or MovPilot Netflix Downloader offers the best mix of quality, flexibility, and usability, as long as you follow the copyright rules and always download for personal use.
I recommend:
- StreamFab Netflix Downloader for those looking for the most robust blend of features and quality.
- MovPilot for easier setup and more casual needs.
- Android Simulator for those who want the full official app but don’t mind extra steps.
Always check for software updates and changes in Netflix’s terms. Use only reputable sites. Respect copyright and fair-use rules.
