Netflix's download feature works on Mac through the Netflix app, but with real limits on what you can save
Netflix lets you download episodes and films on Mac, but only through the official Netflix app — not through a web browser. The downloads stay inside the Netflix app and expire after a set period, usually 30 days, though some titles have shorter windows. You cannot move the files elsewhere or watch them outside Netflix's app.
The feature exists so you can watch offline when you don't have internet, but Netflix controls which titles are downloadable. Not everything in your library has a download button. Movies and shows licensed for offline viewing will show a download icon next to the title; those without it simply cannot be downloaded, no matter what method you try.
Key Takeaways
- Download Netflix content only through the official Netflix app on Mac, available free from the App Store.
- Not all titles support downloading — look for the download icon next to the title name to see what's available.
- Downloaded episodes expire and delete automatically, usually after 30 days, though some titles have shorter expiration dates.
- Downloaded files stay encrypted inside the Netflix app and cannot be moved, copied, or played in other video players.
- Your Netflix subscription tier determines download quality, with Standard and Premium plans offering higher resolution than Basic.
Getting the Netflix app and signing in on Mac
Download the Netflix app directly from the Mac App Store rather than trying to use Netflix through a web browser. Open the App Store, search for "Netflix," and click Get. Sign in with your Netflix account email and password once the app finishes installing.
If you already have Netflix through a web browser, your account works the same way in the app — you don't need a separate subscription. The app takes up roughly 200 MB of storage space, so make sure you have room on your Mac before starting downloads.
Finding titles that can be downloaded
Open the Netflix app and search for a show or film you want to watch offline. When you open the title's page, look for a download icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow inside a circle. If you see it, the title supports downloading. If there's no icon at all, Netflix has not licensed that content for offline viewing, and no workaround will change that.
The download icon appears next to the Play button on the title's main page. For shows with multiple seasons, you can download individual episodes or entire seasons. Click the download icon next to the episode or season name, and Netflix begins saving it to your Mac.
How downloads work and what happens to them
Netflix stores downloaded files in an encrypted format that only the Netflix app can read. You cannot find these files in Finder, move them to an external drive, or open them in another video player. The encryption is intentional — it's how Netflix protects the content from being copied or shared.
Downloaded episodes automatically delete themselves after a set expiration date. Most titles expire after 30 days, but some films and shows have shorter windows — as little as 7 days. Netflix sends you a notification before the expiration date arrives. If you want to keep watching, you download the episode again.
Your subscription tier affects download quality. Basic plans download in standard definition (SD). Standard and Premium plans download in higher resolution, up to 1080p on Premium. The higher the resolution, the more storage space each download uses.
Managing storage and downloaded content
Each downloaded episode takes between 300 MB and 2 GB depending on the show's length and your subscription tier. A full season of a one-hour drama in HD can use 10 GB or more. Check your Mac's available storage before downloading multiple seasons.
To see what you've downloaded, open the Netflix app and look for a Downloads section in the menu. From there you can delete individual episodes or entire seasons to free up space. Deleting a download doesn't affect your ability to stream it later — you can always download it again when you need it offline.
What you cannot do with Netflix downloads
Netflix downloads are locked to the app and the Mac they were downloaded on. You cannot transfer them to another computer, an iPad, or a phone. If you want to watch the same show on multiple devices, you need to download it separately on each one.
You also cannot edit, screenshot, or record Netflix downloads. The app prevents screen recording and screenshot tools from capturing the video. This is part of Netflix's content protection system and applies to all downloaded content.
Alternatives if a title won't download
If a show or film has no download button, your options are limited. You can stream it through the Netflix app or web browser when you have internet, but you cannot save it for offline viewing. Some titles become available for download later as Netflix renegotiates licensing agreements, so check back periodically.
If you need to watch something offline and it's not available through Netflix's download feature, your only real option is to use a different service that offers that content for download, or to watch it online before you lose internet access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Netflix shows on an external hard drive?
No. Netflix downloads stay inside the app's encrypted storage on your Mac's internal drive. You cannot move them to an external drive or access the files directly through Finder. The encryption prevents copying or transferring the files anywhere else.
What happens if my Netflix subscription expires?
Downloaded episodes become unwatchable once your subscription ends. Netflix requires an active account to decrypt and play the files, even if they're already on your Mac. Reactivating your subscription restores access to the downloads.
Can I download Netflix content on a Mac running an older version of macOS?
The Netflix app requires macOS 10.15 or newer. If your Mac is older, you can still stream Netflix through a web browser, but you cannot use the download feature. Check your macOS version in System Preferences under About This Mac.
Do downloaded episodes use my internet when I play them?
No. Once downloaded, the episode plays entirely from your Mac's storage without needing an internet connection. Netflix only needs internet to verify your subscription when you first open the app.
How much storage do Netflix downloads actually use?
Storage varies by title length and your subscription tier. A typical 45-minute episode in HD uses 400 MB to 1 GB. A two-hour film can use 1.5 GB to 3 GB. Standard definition uses roughly half the space of HD. Check available storage before downloading multiple seasons.