Netflix is one of the best platforms for streaming movies and TV shows, but many Mac users are surprised to learn that there is no official Netflix app for macOS. That means you can’t simply install a native app or directly download videos for offline viewing—at least not in the traditional way. Still, there are reliable options that allow you to watch Netflix online or offline on a Mac. Whether you’re searching for how to download Netflix on Mac, wondering can you download Netflix on Mac, or hoping to figure out how to download movies on Netflix on Mac, this guide covers every workable method with clear steps.
Below are the top three solutions for watching Netflix on your Mac, including detailed walkthroughs, tools, and limitations.
Download Netflix iOS App on Mac (Using iMazing or PlayCover)
Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3) can technically run iOS apps, but Netflix has chosen to block its iOS app from appearing in the Mac App Store. Still, third-party tools like iMazing or PlayCover allow you to sideload the Netflix iOS app onto a Mac, giving you an experience very close to the official one—including offline downloads.
Method 1: Using iMazing
iMazing is widely known for iOS device management, but it can also extract IPA files and install them on macOS.
Steps:
- Install iMazing on your Mac.
- Connect your iPhone or iPad that already has Netflix installed.
- In iMazing, select your device → Manage Apps.
- Find Netflix in the app list and click Download.
- Right-click the downloaded app and choose Export .IPA.
- Double-click the exported IPA to install the Netflix iOS app on your Mac.
Limitations:
- Requires an iOS device where Netflix is already installed.
- If Netflix encrypts or restricts .IPA extraction, this method may fail.
- Occasional app crashes may occur because this is not officially supported.
Method 2: Using PlayCover
PlayCover allows users to run iOS apps on Apple Silicon Macs by simulating a compatible environment.
Steps:
- Download PlayCover from its official site.
- Install the app and grant necessary permissions.
- Obtain the Netflix IPA file (you must have downloaded it legally via your own Apple ID).
- Drag the .IPA into PlayCover’s window.
- Launch Netflix through PlayCover and sign in.
Limitations:
- Requires Apple Silicon Mac (won’t work on Intel).
- Not all iOS Netflix apps build function perfectly.
- App updates require manual IPA replacement.
Overall: If you primarily plan to download Netflix movies on Mac or download Netflix episodes on Mac, sideloading the iOS app is the closest to the real offline experience.
Install the Netflix Android App on Mac (Bluestacks / NoxPlayer / MuMuPlayer)
If the iOS method is too complicated, an easier alternative is installing the Netflix Android app using an emulator. Tools like Bluestacks, NoxPlayer, or MuMuPlayer can run Android apps smoothly on macOS. Here we’ll use Bluestacks as the example because it’s the most stable and user-friendly.
Steps to Install Netflix Using Bluestacks:
- Download Bluestacks for Mac from its official website.
- Install and launch the emulator.
- Open the Google Play Store within Bluestacks.
- Sign in with your Google account.
- Search for Netflix.
- Click Install, then open the app.
- Log into your Netflix account and start watching.
Limitations:
- Netflix may block downloads in some emulated environments.
- Performance depends on your Mac’s hardware.
- Streaming quality may be capped (often 720p).
While Bluestacks provides a convenient way to watch Netflix on a Mac, it may not always support offline downloading. So if your goal is figuring out how to download Netflix on Mac or how to download movies on Netflix on Mac, this method may not be ideal for offline use.
Watch Netflix Offline on Mac (Using CleverGet Netflix Downloader)
Since Netflix doesn’t offer offline downloads on macOS, the most reliable and straightforward method is using a professional Netflix downloader. Among available tools, CleverGet Netflix Downloader stands out for its speed, quality options, subtitle support, and stable downloads.
This method is particularly useful for users who want a smooth, direct solution to download Netflix movies on Mac or download Netflix episodes on Mac without juggling iOS/Android apps.
Steps to Use CleverGet Netflix Downloader:
- Download and install CleverGet Netflix Downloader on your Mac (also works on Windows).
- Open the program and sign into your Netflix account within its built-in browser.
- Browse Netflix’s library and open the movie or episode you want to download.
- The downloader will automatically detect the video URL and display available download options.
- Choose video quality (up to 1080p), audio track, and subtitles.
- Click Download to begin saving the file to your Mac.
- After completion, your videos will appear in the output library for offline playback.
Why CleverGet is Ideal for Mac Users:
- Works natively on Mac—no emulators needed.
- High-quality downloads (720p–1080p).
- Batch downloading available.
- Lets you keep videos as long as you want.
If your main concern is can you download Netflix on Mac, this downloader is the simplest and most dependable answer.
For more details, see:
👉 Netflix on Mac
FAQs
1. Can you download Netflix on Mac directly?
No. Netflix has not released a macOS app, so you can’t download it from the Mac App Store. However, you can install the iOS or Android versions using workarounds or use a dedicated downloader.
2. How to download Netflix on Mac for offline viewing?
Use one of the following:
- iMazing or PlayCover (iOS version)
- Bluestacks or other emulators (Android version)
- CleverGet Netflix Downloader for the most reliable offline downloads
3. Is downloading Netflix videos on Mac legal?
Tools like CleverGet allow downloads for personal, non-commercial use. However, redistributing copyrighted content is illegal.
4. Can I watch Netflix offline in Safari or Chrome?
No. Browsers do not support Netflix offline viewing on macOS.
5. What’s the best method overall?
For streaming: Bluestacks.
For offline use: CleverGet Netflix Downloader (most reliable and easiest).
Conclusion
Although macOS does not support Netflix’s native app, there are several reliable ways to stream or download Netflix content on a Mac. From sideloading the iOS app, running the Android version via emulators, to using a specialized tool like CleverGet Netflix Downloader, you have multiple options depending on your needs.
If you mainly want to watch Netflix online on Mac, Bluestacks and similar apps work well. But if your top priority is figuring out how to download movies on Netflix on Mac or how to download Netflix episodes on Mac for offline viewing, CleverGet Netflix Downloader is the fastest, most stable, and most practical solution.