Watch Netflix Offline on Mac by AirPlay/Screen Mirroring Expired!
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.
Can You Watch Netflix Offline on Mac Devices?
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.
- • No official Netflix App for Mac exists yet
- • AirPlay/Screen Mirroring is not working anymore
- • Making a dual system on MacBook/iMac to use the old Netflix for Windows is unavailable
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.
- Quick answer: There is no official Netflix app for Mac and AirPlay/Screen Mirroring won’t work for offline playback. To watch Netflix offline on a Mac, you can either use a dedicated downloader such as StreamFab Netflix Downloader to save titles as MP4/MKV for 1080p playback, or use a recorder solution like PlayOn Cloud (usually 720p and real-time recording).
Is It Legal & Safe to Offline View Netflix Titles with Third-Party Tools?
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.
On the Legal Side
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.
About Safety
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.
- At the end of the day, I completely get why you’d want to watch Netflix offline on your Mac, no Wi-Fi needed. But honestly? You really have to remember the personal-use rule. My advice: stick with the official Netflix app whenever you can. That way, you can binge-watch with peace of mind—and without any unwanted surprises. And only use the third-party downloaders for urgent offline viewing needs or a 100% personal offline content library building.
How to Watch Netflix Offline on MacBook/iMac?
Have a quick overview of what we're going to walk through.
1. Watch Netflix Offline on Mac with StreamFab
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.
- Allow me to watch Netflix offline on Mac up to 1080p Full HD resolution
- It can save Netflix videos as MP4 or MKV files on my MacBook without expiration
- Support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision screen effects on Netflix
- Has Dolby Atmos or EAC3 5.1 surround sound compatibility
- It can download multiple episodes from Netflix series at once
- Set up automatic downloads for new episodes based on a personalized schedule
- Remove ads from Netflix content, even with my cheapest subscription plan
- Auto-pick subtitles from Netflix shows in my preferred language
- Only 3 Netflix downloads are available for free during the trial
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 |
2. Watch Netflix Offline on Mac with PlayOn Cloud
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.
- Available in high-copyright-awareness regions
- It can automatically skip or remove ads from Netflix
- Recorded Netflix videos are standard MP4 files playable on almost Mac device
- Charges per recording or via subscription, which can add up over time
- Recordings are made in real time, so a 2-hour show takes 2 hours to record
- Damaged resolution up to 720p or lower with bad offline viewing experiences
- Recordings are only stored in the cloud for a limited time
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.
3. Watch Netflix Offline on Mac with StreamFox
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.
- Ad removal is available on all Netflix subscriptions
- Features a new kind of user-friendly interface with a built-in browser
- Supports saving multiple Netflix episodes at once
- Saves Netflix videos as MP4 or MKV files on my MacBook without expiration
- Not reaching 4k Netflix downloads, but in 720p
- Repeat requiring logging into Netflix after I already did that
- Requires a software account for starting the trial
- No support for HDR10, Dolby Atmos, etc
- No convenient schedule download mode
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.
First things first—download and install StreamFox for Video on your MacBook or iMac. It’s quick, promise.
Fire up StreamFox and log in with your Netflix account. No weird setup or hoops to jump through—it’s just like logging into Netflix, only with a tiny thrill that you’re about to save stuff offline.
Now, paste the link to your favorite Netflix show or movie, or just search for it inside the app (I usually do both, out of habit).
Choose your video quality and subtitles, then hit Download. And that’s it! Your movie’s saved straight to your Mac, ready for a rainy-day binge or a Wi-Fi-free flight.
Overall Comparison of Top Netflix Offline Viewing Tools on 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 |
FAQs
Honestly, I’ve wondered this myself. My best guess? A few reasons:
- Browsers already work great. Watching on Safari or Chrome gives the full experience without an extra app.
- App Store limits. macOS has strict rules that may prevent Netflix from adding features like offline downloads.
- Low demand. Netflix probably figures there’s not much point in making a Mac-only app when everyone’s happily streaming
Nope, still no official Netflix app for macOS that lets you download or watch offline—kind of disappointing, honestly. But if you’re after something close, StreamFab Netflix Downloader does the trick—it saves shows right to your Mac so you can play them anytime, anywhere.
Recorder-based tools usually cap at 720p and make you sit through the whole thing in real time—yep, every minute of it. StreamFab, though, kicks things up a notch with downloads up to 1080p, and sometimes even HDR10, Dolby Vision, or Dolby Atmos if you’re lucky.
Conclusion
After trying a handful of tools to watch Netflix offline on my Mac, StreamFab Netflix Downloader ended up being my go-to. It gives me steady 1080p downloads, solid subtitle and audio options, and even lets me schedule things so I don’t have to babysit the process. Sure, there are other tools that work in certain cases, but for everyday use on macOS, StreamFab nails that sweet spot between quality and convenience. (Oh, and if you’re curious, check out the full How to download Netflix videos guide for more ideas.)
