How to Watch Netflix on Mac in August 2022 – Step by Step Guide

Netflix is known as the king of entertainment and the title is justified. With thousands of movies and shows available with a single click, you can access unlimited entertainment. What’s more convenient is that this entertainment is not limited to a single device.

You can enjoy Netflix on multiple devices, including Mac which is considered to be a cult favorite. Today, we will answer all your questions, including how to watch Netflix on Mac and what to do if Netflix does not work on Mac.

The bonus section of this piece is unblocking foreign Netflix libraries using the best VPNs for Netflix. If you want to get the answer to all your queries, let’s dive in.

How to Watch Netflix on Mac Using a VPN in August 2022?

Accessing unlimited content on Netflix is a dream shared by many. As Netflix uses a geo-restriction barrier to control the content available for streaming, a VPN is your solution to this problem, and sometimes free VPN for Netflix work too.

We have tested and finalized the top three VPNs based on their speed, user interface, multiple device connectivity, and speed. Here are the winners and their details so you can make an informed decision:

1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN to Watch Netflix on Mac

ExpressVPN is the best VPN to watch Netflix on Mac because it offers a dedicated Mac app and swiftly unblocks 20+ Netflix libraries.

Compatible with PC, Linux, Mac, Android, ad iOS – ExpressVPN is the ultimate solution if you want to enjoy Netflix on different devices. The customer support staff is always ready to help and provide an immediate solution in case of any issue.

ExpressVPN easily unblocks Netflix and lets you stream without any interruption on Mac.

You can unblock major Netflix libraries, including the US, UK, Germany, Australia, Korea, and Canada. Offering over 3000+ servers in 90+ countries with 20+ server locations in the US (Denver, New York, Dallas, Chicago, and Atlanta), you cannot go wrong with the most trusted VPN service.

Speed

ExpressVPN facilitates up to five simultaneous connections at lightning-fast speeds. The speed test proved that ExpressVPN does not influence the internet speed negatively.

The standard internet speed is 100 Mbps. After connecting to the Denver server, we found that the upload speed was 83.97 Mbps while the download speed was 88.87 Mbps. As the speed difference is pretty minor, you can enjoy the smoothest streaming experience.

ExpressVPN offers blazing fast speeds to watch Netflix on Mac.

Pros & Cons of ExpressVPN:

With some of the most advanced features, ExpressVPN is the first choice of many. If you want to know more about the pricing, speed, and performance of this VPN, check out our complete guide on ExpressVPN Netflix!

2. NordVPN – Uninterrupted Netflix Streaming on Mac

NordVPN earns the second spot for watching Netflix on Mac because it ensures an uninterrupted streaming experience at the fastest speeds, thanks to its NordLynx protocol.

If you want to enjoy Netflix in all its glory – without interruption, buffering, and compromising the video quality, NordVPN is the answer. It offers a wide server range of around 5500+ servers operating in 59 countries, including 1970+ servers in the major cities of the US (New Jersey, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami).

In case one server is blocked by Netflix, you have a list of options to choose from with NordVPN.

NordVPN ensures uninterrupted access to Netflix on Mac.

NordVPN ensures absolute anonymity, ensuring that your actual IP address cannot be tracked. You can pretend to be in any country by connecting to the server and overcoming the geo-restriction barrier of major streaming hubs, including Netflix.

Speed

As the standard internet speed is 100 Mbps. After connecting to the Secaucus server, the upload speed was 84.66 Mbps and the download speed was 89.38 Mbps. As there is a minor speed difference after connecting to the server, you can enjoy buffering-free Netflix streaming on Mac.

The best thing about NordVPN is that it connects to the selected server in under 30 seconds. We checked with multiple servers, and all of them connected to a server in the said timespan.

We recorded the fastest speeds for watching Netflix on Mac while connected to the Secaucus server of NordVPN.

Pros & Cons of NordVPN:

Constant buffering can ruin your streaming experience, and NordVPN can solve this issue. If you are still unsure, check out our complete guide on NordVPN Netflix, and you will be a fan too!

3. Surfshark – Watch Netflix on Mac on Limited Budget

Surfshark is a pocket-friendly option to watch Netflix on Mac as it comes at a subscription cost of US$2.49/mo .

If you are looking for premium VPN features on a limited budget, Surfshark is the perfect solution because it offers a server network of 3200+ servers in 95 countries. It provides features boasted by high-end VPN services at an affordable price range. The best part of the offer is – it does not compromise on the quality of the services.

You can easily watch Netflix on Mac with Surfshark’s affordable subscription packages.

Surfshark can help you unblock Netflix in various regions, including the US, UK, Germany, Australia, Japan, and Canada. Another remarkable feature offered by Surfshark is its ability to connect to unlimited devices so you can enjoy a secure connection on every device. Also, it offers 600 servers in 25 US cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, and Chicago.

Speed

The speed test conducted for this research proved that Surfshark does not slow down your internet speed, providing a smooth streaming experience.

100 Mbps is standard internet speed. The upload speed after connecting to the Watertown, NY server is 39.54 Mbps. The download speed was 78.91 Mbps. The speed difference is minor, proving that Surfshark does not slow down your internet and offers you a smooth streaming experience.

Surfshark offers decent connection speeds for streaming Netflix on Mac despite the affordable pricing plans.

Pros & Cons of Surfshark:

High-end VPN feature on a limited budget; what more do you want? In case you want to learn more before making a final decision – check the complete guide on Surfshark Netflix for further information.

Can you Download the Netflix App on Mac?

No, you cannot download the Netflix app on Mac because Netflix lacks a dedicated Mac app. However, you can stream Netflix shows and movies by visiting the official Netflix website on Google Chrome, Opera, Firefox, and Safari.

In case of an Android or iOS device, you can easily download the Netflix app and stream your favorite Netflix titles.

Can an iPad or iPhone AirPlay Netflix to a Mac?

No, an iPad or iPhone can no longer AirPlay Netflix to a Mac. Netflix discontinued this feature in 2019, saying that it cannot distinguish between different devices, and thus cannot ensure whether the standard of video quality is being met or not.

The official Netflix website also states that you can no longer use AirPlay to stream Netflix via an iOS device.

AirPlay is no longer supported for use with Netflix.

Users may be able to AirPlay on Mac by using iPads or iPhones (2018 or later) after the release of Mac Monterey and iOS 15.

How to Download Netflix on Mac?

Downloading Netflix on Mac is not simple. Even though the Netflix app is available for iOS and Android, it is not – in the case of Mac. The legal way to enjoy Netflix on your Mac device is to use the website or use AirPlay.

Netflix is supported by Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Here’s how you can download and watch Netflix on Mac:

1. Install Netflix on a Mac in Windows

Many Mac users are unaware that they can install Windows on Mac and enjoy watching Netflix on its Windows app. By using the official app, you can easily download Netflix titles and even watch them offline.

We recommend using Boot Camp or Parallels to install Windows on your Mac. While Parallels allows you to run Windows and macOS at the same time, Boot Camp limits you to use either Windows or macOS at a time. You can easily install Windows 10 for free by following any of these methods, and access other Windows-exclusive games and software on your Mac device.

Boot Camp is not compatible with M1 Macs. So, users can opt for Parallels to install Windows on an M1 Mac. However, you’ll still be unable to watch Netflix offline because of a Netflix error code U7345.

2. Run Netflix for iOS on a Mac

You can run the Netflix iOS app on Mac if you have the latest M1 chip Mac. The same M1 chip is used in the latest iPhones and iPads, so most of the iOS apps are compatible with the latest versions of macOS (Monterey and Big Sur) as well. Some users might face an error because several developers have blocked running iOS apps on Mac for commercial and overall performance reasons.

Apple may also block the option to run iOS apps on Macs, so this method isn’t extremely reliable. To see if the method works, you can follow these instructions and run Netflix for iOS on a Mac:

• Visit the Mac App Store.
• Search for Netflix in the App Store’s search field.
• Click on iPhone and iPad apps.
• Hit the download button or the cloud icon to start the download.
• Click Open to start streaming Netflix on Mac.

If you do not find Netflix after searching for it on M1 Mac, it’s because Netflix has blocked it for use on Mac. You can get around this issue by sideloading Netflix via a third-party tool, iMazing. Remember that Apple can block this tool at any time.

It’s important to note that sideloading apps onto M1 Macs is only supported on macOS Big Sur 11.2.3 or earlier and shows an error message on macOS 11.3 or later versions.

3. Using a Screen Recorder, Record Netflix on a Mac

You can also use a screen recorder to record everything playing on the Mac screen, such as a Netflix movie or show. However, we strongly advise against using a screen recorder to download Netflix on Mac because it goes against Netflix’s T&Cs. You’ll have to record the entire video, which means you will not be able to use your Mac during that time.

When you record your screen, the audio and video quality depends on your internet connection. The quality will be extremely poor if the connection gets disrupted while recording your screen. Above all, the recorded files take up much space on the hard drive. Unless you have an external hard drive, screen recording and saving the videos is the least convenient way.

You can use QuickTime or any other screen recording software to record your screen on a Mac device. Here, we have used QuickTime as an example to outline the steps for recording Netflix on a Mac:

• From the Applications folder, select QuickTime Player.
• Choose File > New Screen Recording.
• Click on the record button and select Microphone > Internal Microphone.
• Next, click anywhere on the screen to start the recording.

4. Connecting an iPhone or iPad to a Mac & Use QuickTime

You can follow these instructions to display your iOS device’s screen on a Mac device using QuickTime:

• Use the Lightning to USB cable to connect your iPhone/iPad to your Mac device.
• On your Mac, open QuickTime.
• In the menu bar, click File.
• Select New Movie Recording.
• Click on the down arrow next to the record button.
• From the list of available devices, select your iPhone or iPad.
• The device’s screen should now be mirrored on the Mac!

FAQs