Netflix Download: How to Get the App and Watch Offline (2026 Guide)
To download Netflix movies and shows, install the Netflix app on an iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, Amazon Fire tablet, or a Chromebook with Google Play, then open a title and tap Download.
Windows PCs and Macs can stream Netflix but can’t save titles for offline viewing. Get the app only from official app stores, never from APK files or third-party sites.
“Netflix download” can mean two different things
People searching this phrase usually want one of two things, and the answers differ by device.
| What you want | Where it works |
|---|---|
| Install the Netflix app | Phones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming devices, Windows (Microsoft Store) |
| Save a movie or show to watch offline | Only on supported phones, tablets, Fire tablets, and Chromebooks |
Installing the app doesn’t guarantee you can save titles. That’s the most common source of confusion, especially on laptops.
Where to download the Netflix app safely
Use official sources only: your device’s app store, or Netflix itself at netflix.com. Here’s how it breaks down by device.
iPhone and iPad
Get the Netflix app from the Apple App Store. Netflix’s iOS download instructions require the Netflix app for Apple iOS. Netflix’s iOS app article is the official reference. netflix
Android phones and tablets
Install Netflix from Google Play. Android is one of the officially supported download platforms (see the device list below).
Windows 10 and 11
You can still install the Netflix app from the Microsoft Store: Netflix directs Windows users to the new version of the app in the Microsoft Store at apps.microsoft.com/detail/9wzdncrfj3tj. You can also just watch in a browser. Either way, the Windows app is for streaming only, as explained further down. netflix
Mac
Netflix’s Mac instructions have you sign in at netflix.com in a browser rather than installing a Mac app. Netflix’s Mac article covers setup, and its system requirements page lists supported browsers. netflix
Smart TVs and streaming devices
Most smart TVs and streaming players have Netflix in their built-in app store. These can stream but can’t store downloads.
Which devices can download Netflix movies and shows
To download titles, Netflix says you need the latest Netflix app on an Android phone or tablet, an iPhone or iPad, an Amazon Fire tablet, or a Google Chromebook with the Google Play Store installed. The same article warns that some older operating system versions may not support downloads, so keep your device updated. netflix
If your device isn’t on that list, you can still stream on it, but you won’t see a Download button.
How to download Netflix movies and TV shows
The steps are nearly identical across supported devices.
On iPhone, iPad, Android, or Fire tablet
- Open the Netflix app and sign in.
- Tap Downloads, then See What You Can Download.
- Pick a movie or show.
- For a movie, tap Download. For a TV show, tap the download button beside an episode, or tap Download Season to save them all. Netflix recommends using Wi-Fi to avoid burning mobile data. netflix
On a Chromebook
Open Downloads, then choose Find More to Download, and follow the same title-selection steps.
Look for the download icon
You can also browse normally. Titles that can be saved show a Downloads icon, and you can filter by what’s available for download. Not every title qualifies, because download rights are handled title by title. Netflix has an article explaining why some titles aren’t available. netflix
How to watch your downloads
Open the app, tap Downloads, find the title, and tap Play. You need to stay signed in to your account to watch downloads offline. A few details worth knowing: netflix
- Downloads live on the device that saved them, and you can watch them from any profile on that device. netflix
- On Kids profiles, downloads with higher maturity ratings may not be playable offline. netflix
- Canceling your membership deletes downloads from your device, and you’d need to download them again after restarting. netflix
Netflix download limits by plan
Your plan affects how many devices can hold downloads and how many titles you can save. Prices below are from Netflix’s U.S. plans page when I checked on October 30, 2026, and they change, so confirm on Netflix’s Plans and Pricing page.
| Plan (U.S.) | Monthly price | Download devices |
|---|---|---|
| Standard with ads | $8.99 | 2 |
| Standard | $19.99 | 2 |
| Premium | $26.99 | 6 |
Netflix lists $8.99, $19.99, and $26.99 for the three U.S. plans, and the ad-supported plan allows downloads on 2 devices at a time. The six-device allowance for Premium comes from Netflix’s announcement that it raised download devices from four to six. I couldn’t re-confirm the Premium line on the current plans page itself, so double-check before publishing it as current. netflixnetflix
The bigger practical difference is title count:
- Ad-free plans allow up to 100 active downloads per device, depending on the number of devices your plan includes. netflix
- Ad-supported plans are limited to 15 downloads per device per calendar month. netflix
If you’re on the ad-supported plan and plan a long trip, spend those 15 downloads deliberately.
Netflix download on PC, Windows 11, or a laptop
This is where most outdated advice lives, so here’s the direct answer: you can’t download Netflix titles for offline viewing on a Windows PC.
Older guides describe a Download button in the Windows app, and that was once true. Netflix’s error page for the code VC2-CV1-ER says the Windows app no longer supports downloading titles, and tells users to get the new version from the Microsoft Store and use a different device that supports downloads. That applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11. Reinstalling the app won’t bring the button back. netflix
What works on a Windows laptop:
- Stream in a supported browser or the Windows app while online.
- Download on a phone, tablet, or Chromebook before you travel.
If a “Netflix downloader” for PC promises to rip titles to your hard drive, treat it as a red flag. More on that below.
Netflix download for Mac
Same answer, different reason. Macs aren’t on Netflix’s list of download devices, and Netflix’s own Mac guidance is browser-based. Netflix’s system requirements page lists the supported browsers and system requirements for watching on a computer. You can stream on a Mac. For offline viewing, download on an iPhone, iPad, or another supported device first. netflix
Netflix download not working? Common fixes
Start with the symptom.
There’s no Download button on a title. The title probably isn’t licensed for offline viewing. Try a different one first before troubleshooting your device. Netflix’s article on why a title isn’t available for download explains this.
There’s no Download button anywhere. You’re likely on an unsupported device, such as Windows, a Mac, or a smart TV. Compare against the device list above.
You see a “too many devices” message. Your plan’s download-device limit has been reached. Netflix has a help article on this message, and removing an older device from your account frees a slot.
A download is stuck or fails. These are general steps, not Netflix-specific guidance:
- Switch to Wi-Fi and keep the app open.
- Check you have enough free storage.
- Update the Netflix app and your operating system. Netflix notes that older operating system versions may not support downloads. netflix
- Restart the device and try again.
Netflix’s Can’t download a TV show or movie article is the official checklist.
A download says “Expired.” Downloads expire after a period of time, though you can watch a download as many times as you like before then. To renew, delete the download and download it again. On iPhone and iPad, check that your date and time are set correctly first. Titles that have left Netflix can’t be renewed, and some have limits on re-downloads because of studio licensing. netflixnetflix
Smart ways to manage downloads
- Download over Wi-Fi at home, not at the airport gate.
- Delete what you’ve watched. Netflix suggests deleting finished downloads to free up space. netflix
- Use the built-in helpers. Netflix offers Smart Downloads, Download Next Episode, and Downloads for You, plus options to change download video quality and store downloads on an SD card on some Android devices. All are linked from the main downloads article.
- Test before you travel. Open one download in airplane mode so you know it plays.
- Don’t clear app data or uninstall while troubleshooting unless you’re prepared to re-download everything.
Avoid unofficial Netflix downloaders and APK files
Searching “netflix download” also turns up sites selling tools that promise to save Netflix videos to a computer, plus modified Netflix APKs. Skip them:
- Netflix offers no official tool for saving titles to a PC or Mac, so these are third-party products working around its protections.
- Modified apps and unknown installers are a common route for malware.
- Using them may violate Netflix’s Terms of Use, and your account could be affected.
If you need offline viewing, a phone or tablet with the official app is the safe route.
Netflix download FAQ
Can I download Netflix movies on my laptop?
Not on a Windows laptop or a MacBook. You can stream on both. Chromebooks with Google Play are the exception among laptops: they support downloads through the Netflix app.
Is there a Netflix download for Windows 11?
Yes, the Netflix app is available from the Microsoft Store for streaming. It doesn’t support offline downloads.
Can I download Netflix on a Mac?
Netflix’s Mac instructions use a browser at netflix.com. There’s no download feature on Mac.
Do I need a paid plan to download titles?
Yes. You need an active Netflix subscription. Ad-supported plans can download, but with a cap of 15 downloads per device per month.
How many Netflix downloads can I have?
Ad-free plans allow up to 100 active downloads per device. Ad-supported plans are capped at 15 per device per calendar month.
How long do Netflix downloads last?
They expire after a period that varies by title. Check the expiry notice in your Downloads tab, and renew by deleting and re-downloading while the title is still on Netflix.
Can I download every Netflix movie and show?
No. Availability varies by title because of licensing.
Do downloads work in any profile?
Downloads are stored per device and can be watched from any profile on that device. Kids profiles may block higher-rated titles.
What happens to downloads if I cancel?
They’re deleted from your device, and you’d need to download them again if you rejoin.