I went on a trip a few days ago. When I was trying to AirPlay, or something called "Screen Mirroring", the downloaded Love, Death & Robots volume 4 on my iPhone from the Netflix app to my MacBook at night, I was shocked that I couldn't make it. Then I did some research on this, and apparently that the answer from Google does not match the fact.
In fact, according to the official answers from Netflix policies and Apple forums, Netflix has stopped supporting AirPlay since 2019. That's why I can’t watch downloaded Netflix offline on Mac from my iPhone using in-app AirPlay, nor device AirPlay Screen Mirroring.
I browse the related results and compile a list here to tell if we can watch Netflix offline on Mac devices now. If you have the same purpose or questions as I, you can refer to.
But that's not a dead end. I searched, collected, and tried the 3 most popular tools that can save Netflix to local devices for offline viewing on a MacBook or iMac.
I totally get the urge to watch Netflix offline, especially if you’re like me and want to catch up on your favorite shows when the Wi-Fi is patchy, or during a long trip. The idea of using a third-party tool to bypass all those limits can seem really tempting. But before you hit “download” on that shiny new app, let’s take a closer look at the legal and safety side of things.
Technically, using third-party tools is usually acceptable, although Netflix download limits exist. That being said, most people, myself included, simply want to enjoy content privately and conveniently, not for sharing or commercial gain. There are differences in local laws, and the main thing is to use any tools responsibly and not for redistribution or profit.
First, whether the installation will mess up my computer with some weird virus software, and second, account security—no one wants their account stolen or banned, after all. Reliable tools will always ensure a clean installation with no hidden tricks. I highly recommend sticking to these principles so you can use the tool with real peace of mind. That’s how I make my choices, too. A bit more caution now means less regret later.
Have a quick overview of what we're going to walk through.
The first recommended tool is StreamFab Netflix Downloader. With the free trial, I successfully saved three Netflix titles on my MacBook and all played smoothly in VLC. It also supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos while keeping 1080p quality.
In practice, that means offline playback on my Mac can look and sound as good as streaming, and its bulk download and scheduled auto-download functions are the most convenient function combo to download movies from Netflix on Mac I've ever seen.
Fast, simple, and qualified choice to watch Netflix offline on Mac, based on tests and comparisons. Winning with high efficiency and user-friendliness.
In case you're new here, I wrote a simple step-by-step guide to help you know how to watch Netflix offline on MacBooks with StreamFab. You can also review feature details on the StreamFab Netflix Downloader page before starting.
Open StreamFab, select the Netflix service, and log in with your Netflix account.
Browse or search for the Netflix show or movie you want to download within the built-in browser of StreamFab. Then customize the specific settings in the pop-up window.
Click the “Download Now” button to save the selected Netflix videos offline on Mac devices you have.
Aspect | Official Netflix Download | StreamFab Netflix Downloader |
---|---|---|
Offline support on Mac | No offline download app for macOS | Yes, saves as MP4/MKV for local playback |
Quality | — | Up to 1080p; supports HDR10 / Dolby Vision / Dolby Atmos (title-dependent) |
Availability window | — | No expiry for downloaded files |
Ads handling | — | Removes ads even on ad-supported plans |
Subtitles & audio | — | Multi-lang subtitles / EAC3 5.1 where available |
Workflow | — | Built-in browser & batch / scheduled downloads |
Consider that some places do not allow downloading DRM-protected content, like in Germany. I find this streaming service recorder called PlayOn Cloud. It makes personal copies by recording Netflix instead of removing Netflix DRM protection. I did some recordings on Netflix with it, and it only offers a common quality copy in 720p for most time. Maybe it's acceptable, but I expect to watch Netflix offline on Mac in a better quality.
Besides, when I downloaded it, I noticed that it only runs on macOS Catalina 10.15 or higher. So, remember to check if your Mac device meets the requirements.
Its interface is clear to use, so you can get started with it very quickly under my instruction to screen record Netflix on Mac for offline viewing with PlayOn Cloud here.
Looks like a clone of StreamFab, but it's not. In opposite, StreamFox is a new video download tool compatible with Netflix and other streaming services. It can also save Netflix to MP4, which is a format compatible with most Mac devices. I was attracted by its claim of downloading 4k Netflix movies. Unfortunately, it only gives me 720p quality instead.
As a new Netflix offline tool, its combo of copying & pasting links and built-in browser is new to me. I figured out how to use it to download movies on Netflix offline on macOS and provided you with a simple guide here for you to refer to.
Download and install StreamFox for Video on your MacBook or iMac.
Open StreamFox and log in with your Netflix account credentials.
Search for or paste the link to the Netflix show or movie you want to download.
Select your preferred video quality and subtitles, then click “Download” to save the file to your Mac.
Feature | StreamFab Netflix Downloader | PlayOn Cloud | StreamFox |
---|---|---|---|
Max Quality | 1080p HDR10 Dolby Vision | 720p or lower | Up to 720p |
Audio | Dolby Atmos 5.1 | Standard | Standard |
Output Format | MP4 MKV | MP4 | MP4 MKV |
Batch Download | Yes automatic | No manual | Yes, but no automation |
Ad Removal | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Free Trial | 3 downloads | Limited quota paid after | Trial available |
File Retention | Unlimited | Time-limited on the cloud | Unlimited |
Netflix Account Needed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Extra Requirements | None | macOS 10.15+ | None |
Ease of Use | Built-in browser easy | Manual recording slower | Less smooth |
Region Support | Most regions | Broad for restricted areas | Most regions |
Subtitles & Extras | Yes auto-detect | Basic | Basic |
According to my views on related topics, the reasons why Netflix probably does not provide a Mac version app are probably as follows:
Or they just don't see enough benefit in providing an official way to let users watch Netflix offline on MacBooks.
No. Netflix has no official macOS app that supports offline downloads. For a native-like experience on a Mac, consider saving titles locally with the StreamFab Netflix Downloader and playing them in your preferred player.
Recorder-based solutions often cap at 720p and work in real time. With StreamFab, many titles can be saved in 1080p with HDR10 / Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos when available.
Among the tools I tested for watching Netflix offline on a Mac, StreamFab Netflix Downloader fits my needs best for stable 1080p files, subtitle/audio options, and hands-off scheduling. Other options may work in specific scenarios, but for day-to-day use on macOS, StreamFab’s balance of quality and convenience stands out—see the broader How to download Netflix videos guide for more tips.
Your ultimate choice to download videos from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, YouTube and other sites.
Your ultimate choice to download videos from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, YouTube and other sites.