How to Download Netflix on a Mac

Netflix has been with us for a few years now, so it’s a bit disappointing that they still haven’t released an app dedicated to Mac computers. The platform was relatively quick to release apps for Windows, Android, and iOS, but for some reason, there’s no official announcement as to why we don’t have a Netflix app for Mac.

So, what happens if you’re a big fan of Netflix but prefer watching on a Mac because MacOS is your preferred operating system for a slew of reasons?

Don’t fret. With a few workarounds, you can download your favorite movies and TV shows on your Mac.

This article has everything you need to know.

Method 1: Using Clicker for Netflix

We’re living in a fast-paced technological environment marked by a thriving app development community. Even though there’s no official Netflix app for Mac devices, developers have stepped in with innovative solutions that can download Netflix content right onto these devices. One of these solutions is called Clicker for Netflix.

At its core, Clicker for Netflix (CfN) is a third-party application designed specifically for MacOS. Although Netflix hasn’t endorsed CfN officially, it’s been used to stream content for several years without problems.

Clicker for Netflix comes with an easy-to-use interface complete with Touch Bar accessibility that makes it easy to control playback and navigate the library. In addition, the app supports PiP (picture in picture) mode, allowing you to watch your favorite shows in a small, resizable window while using other applications on your Mac.

But how do you get the app? It’s downloadable for free on several websites, but it’s important to remember that not all offers are genuine. You can easily be tricked into downloading dangerous malware or even installing an entirely different app that you don’t really need. For these reasons, it’s important to exercise due diligence when exploring the available options.

That said, Macupdate – a Mac software website that’s been around for over 20 years – can be a great place to start.

Method 2: Installing Windows on Your Mac

Since the unveiling of Netflix, there’s always been a desktop app for Windows computers. And although most people possibly don’t know about it, you can actually install Windows on your Mac and run the two systems simultaneously. This means you can enjoy Netflix on your Mac without giving up any of the tools that endear you to the Apple ecosystem.

To install Windows on your Mac, you need a few items:

• A Windows installation disk image
• Apple keyboard and mouse
• At least 50 GB of free disk space
• USB flash drive with at least 16 GB storage

If you have no idea where to start, this article has all the details.

Method 3: Streaming Netflix Using AirPlay From Your iPhone or iPad

AirPlay is a wireless streaming technology developed by Apple that allows users to stream audio, video, and other media between Apple devices. You can use it to stream content from an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, HomePod, or even a Mac.

Since AirPlay is a built-in feature for iOS devices, you don’t need to purchase or set up additional hardware for streaming Netflix content to your Mac. In addition, you can continue using your iOS device while still streaming Netflix on your Mac.

On the downside, Netflix stopped supporting AirPlay back in April 2019, citing “technical limitations.” This means you can’t quite open the Netflix app on your iPhone and instantly link up with your Mac. Luckily, several third-party applications have since been developed to help AirPlay media from iOS to Macs. Popular choices include Reflector, Mirroring360, and AirServer.

Let’s quickly see how you can use AirServer to cast Netflix to your Mac:

1. Download and install AirServer on your Mac and iOS devices. But before proceeding to step 2, ensure both your Mac and iOS devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
   
2. Swipe up on your iOS device and select the screen mirroring icon from the Control Center. At this point, you should be able to see your Mac and any other device available on your network.
   
3. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Netflix app and select the title you want to watch.
   
4. Choose your Mac from the list of available devices and the mobile device will start streaming on your Mac’s screen.
   
5. Finally, open the Netflix app on your mobile device and play the movie or TV show you want to watch.

But what happens if you don’t have an internet connection but have downloaded a few episodes or movies on your iPhone? AirServer and several other mirroring apps can work without Wi-Fi connectivity, but you need to link up your devices using a lightning cable. Your Mac will then be able to tether your mobile device and create a mirroring network.

Method 4: Running Netflix on MacOS Using PlayCover

If you’re not afraid to dive a little deeper into the third-party tech market, PlayCover might be just the tool you need to finally enjoy Netflix on your Mac. But first things first – what is it?

In very simple terms, PlayCover is a MacOS application that allows you to install and run iOS apps right on your Mac. It works by emulating the UIKit framework used for developing iOS apps and adapting it to run on macOS. With this tool, you can actually run the Netflix iOS app on your Mac. Convenient, right?

This is undoubtedly a convenient way to watch your favorite Netflix shows on your Mac, but setting up PlayCover on your devices can be a pain, and you might need a little patience. Here’s how it works:

1. Begin by downloading the latest version of the application. Most platforms offer the app in the form of a DMG file.
   
2. Open the DMG file and drag the PlayCover app to your Applications folder. Double-click on the PlayCover app to launch it.
   
3. Now, you need to obtain the Netflix iOS app IPA file. You can easily get a copy from your iOS device backup or search online. But as always, keep an eye on suspicious files that may pose security risks.
4. At this point, open PlayCover and click on the “Import” button in the top-left corner of the window. Browse to the location where you saved the Netflix IPA file and import it.
   
5. After importing the Netflix IPA, the platform’s app icon should appear in the PlayCover window. Click on the Netflix icon to launch the app. You should now be able to browse the library as usual and play the content you want.

Perhaps it’s also worth mentioning that running Netflix on a Mac using PlayCover may not provide the same level of performance and stability as the official mobile app. However, it’s a method probably worth a shot if you have a bit of experience in app development.

Watch All You Want

There’s no word from Netflix as to when we might see the platform’s official application for MacOS, but this should not stop you from downloading or streaming your favorite shows. Thanks to a few workarounds, you can transform your Mac into a mini-theater even as we wait to find out whether Netflix has something in the works.

Have you tried downloading Netflix on your Mac using any of these tricks?

Let us know in the comments section below.