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Netflix has been around for a few years now, so it’s a bit disappointing that they haven’t yet released an app dedicated to Mac computers. The platform relatively quickly released apps for Windows, Android, and iOS, but for some reason, there’s no announcement official as to why we don’t have a Netflix app for Mac.
So what if you’re a big fan of Netflix but prefer to watch it on a Mac because MacOS is your preferred operating system for several reasons?
Don’t worry. With a few solutions, you can download your favorite movies and TV shows on your Mac.
This article has everything you need to know.
Method 1: Use Clicker for Netflix
We live in a fast-paced technology environment marked by a thriving app development community. Although there is no official Netflix app for Mac devices, developers have stepped in with innovative solutions that can download Netflix content directly to these devices. One of these solutions is called Clicker for Netflix.
At its core, Clicker for Netflix (CfN) is a third-party app designed specifically for MacOS. Although Netflix has not officially endorsed CfN, it has 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 your library. Additionally, the app supports PiP (picture-in-picture) mode, allowing you to watch your favorite shows in a small, resizable window while using other apps on your Mac.
But how do you get the application? It can be downloaded for free on various websites, but it is important to remember that not all offers are genuine. It’s easy to be tricked into downloading dangerous malware or even installing a completely different app that you don’t really need. For these reasons, it is important to perform due diligence when exploring available options.
Said that, Macupdate (a Mac software website that’s been around for over 20 years) can be a great place to start.
Method 2: Install Windows on your Mac
Since the introduction of Netflix, there has always been a desktop app for Windows computers. And although most people probably don’t know it, you can install Windows on your Mac and run both 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 of storage
If you have no idea where to start, this article has all the details.
Method 3: Stream 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 configure additional hardware to stream Netflix content to your Mac. Plus, you can continue using your iOS device while still streaming Netflix on your Mac.
On the downside, Netflix stopped supporting AirPlay in April 2019, citing “technical limitations.” This means you can’t open the Netflix app on your iPhone and instantly connect it to your Mac. Fortunately, several third-party apps have since been developed to help AirPlay media from iOS to Mac. Popular options include Reflector, Reflecting360and Air server.
Let’s quickly see how you can use AirServer to stream Netflix to your Mac:
- Download and install AirServer on your Mac and iOS devices. But before proceeding to step 2, make sure that both your Mac and iOS devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Swipe up on your iOS device and select the screen mirroring icon in Control Center. At this point, you should be able to see your Mac and any other devices available on your network.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open the Netflix app and select the title you want to watch.
- Choose your Mac from the list of available devices and the mobile device will start streaming on your Mac screen.
- Finally, open the Netflix app on your mobile device and play the movie or TV show you want to watch.
But what if you don’t have an internet connection but you have downloaded some episodes or movies on your iPhone? AirServer and several other mirroring apps can work without Wi-Fi connectivity, but you must connect your devices using a Lightning cable. Your Mac will then be able to connect your mobile device and create a mirroring network.
Method 4: Run Netflix on MacOS using PlayCover
If you’re not afraid to delve a little deeper into the third-party technology market, PlayCover could be 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 app that allows you to install and run iOS apps directly on your Mac. It works by emulating the UIKit framework used to develop iOS apps and adapting it to run on macOS. With this tool, you can run the Netflix app for iOS on your Mac. Convenient, right?
This is certainly a convenient way to watch your favorite Netflix shows on your Mac, but setting up PlayCover on your devices can be tricky and you may need a little patience. Is that how it works:
- Start by downloading the latest version of the app. Most platforms offer the application in the form of a DMG file.
- Open the DMG file and drag the PlayCover app to your Applications folder. Double click on the PlayCover app to launch it.
- Now, you need to get the IPA file of the Netflix iOS app. You can easily get a backup copy of your iOS device or search for it online. But, as always, be on the lookout for suspicious files that may pose security risks.
- At this point, open PlayCover and click the “Import” button in the upper left corner of the window. Browse to the location where you saved the Netflix IPA file and import it.
- After importing 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.
It is perhaps 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 that’s probably worth trying if you have a little experience developing apps.
Watch all you want
There’s no word from Netflix on when we might see the platform’s official app for MacOS, but this shouldn’t stop you from downloading or streaming your favorite shows. Thanks to a few solutions, you can transform your Mac into a mini cinema even while we wait to find out if Netflix has something in the works.
Have you tried downloading Netflix on your Mac using any of these tricks?
