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Netflix on iPad: How to Download Netflix Movies to the iPad or iPad Pro?

The best part about your Netflix subscription is that you aren’t limited to internet connectivity, even on your iPad. Here’s everything you need to know about how to download Netflix movies to iPad and troubleshoot any issues that come along the way.

It may seem like a lifetime ago when DVDs were the “next big thing” in the entertainment industry, with rental services such as Blockbuster being at the top of the food chain. Over the years, the entertainment industry has made the transition online, thanks to the World Wide Web and improving network infrastructure globally. The largest player in the on-demand video content business, Netflix is now the face of an entire form of technology to enjoy entertainment anytime, anywhere.

[ Read more: The Netflix Story: 300+ Amazing Facts and Statistics ]

Although the Netflix mobile app for Android and iOS has been around for several years, the ability to save movies and TV shows for offline viewing was added only recently in 2017. Ideal for helping you get the most out of those long hours on the road or on the flight when there is zero network connectivity, being able to download Netflix movies to iPad is essentially a native feature of the app. However, there are some limitations to what content from Netflix you can download, and compatibility restrictions you need to keep in mind.

How to Download Netflix Movies to the iPad

Before we proceed with the troubleshooting guide to running the Netflix app on iPad and downloading movies and TV shows for offline viewing, let’s discuss the steps to use the official Netflix app for the same purpose:

  1. Open the App Store on your iPad and search for the Netflix app to download it.
  2. Launch Netflix on the iPad and sign in to your account.
  3. Press the More icon at the bottom right and tap on the App Settings button.
  4. Under the Downloads tab, select the Video Quality (Standard or Higher).
  5. Now tap on the Home icon to view the Netflix content library and find the movie or TV show you want to download.
  6. Tap on the poster of any title and press the Download button to begin.
  7. The movie or TV show episode will begin downloading to your iPad, and you will be able to see the progress under the Downloads tab.

Note: If you have Smart Downloads turned on, the episode will automatically be deleted after you’ve watched it and download the next available one when connected to a wireless network.

How to Watch Downloaded Movies on iPad from Netflix

Once you have downloaded the movies from Netflix, feel free to turn off the cellular data or Wi-Fi network, and you will still be able to enjoy the video content. All of the TV show episodes and movies are saved under the Downloads section, which can be accessed from the bottom menu bar in the Netflix app.

  1. Launch the Netflix app on your iPad.
  2. Use the bottom menu to open the Downloads section on the screen.
  3. Simply press the icon of the movie or TV episode you want to play.

How to Fix Netflix Not Working on iPad?

The Netflix app is regularly updated to include new content and optimize the features and performance of the service on iPad and iPhone. However, several users have reported the Netflix app to either not available on the App Store, or showing the “App is not compatible with this iPad” message when trying to download it. Multiple reasons could lead to these problems when trying to use Netflix on iPad, and here’s how to resolve them:

Solution #1: Update the Netflix App

Although the Netflix app brought along the feature to download movies and TV shows for offline viewing years ago, it is unlikely that you haven’t updated the app since 2017. However, using an outdated version of the app can lead to secondary optimization and performance issues with the app, limiting your ability to use it.ress and hold the App Store icon to see the options menu pop up. Simply press and hold the App Store icon to see the options menu pop up, then tap on the Updates option from the list. If you see the Netflix icon in the list, press the Update button right next to it.

Once you have installed the latest version of Netflix on the iPad, you can launch the app and try to see if the ability to download movies and TV shows is now in full swing.

Solution #2: Check iPad Compatibility

The latest version of the Netflix app is available for iPad models running iOS 11 or newer. This means if you have an iPad 4th Generation or older, which is limited to iOS 10 and older, you will not be able to install the Netflix app on the iPad from the App Store. Additionally, the Netflix app may not be available to download for users in regions where the streaming service does not operate, such as China, Syria, North Korea, and Crimea.

However, there is a workaround to this, where you can download an older version of the Netflix app, which is compatible with all iPad and iPhone models up until iOS 5. While you may encounter some usability issues when using an older version of the Netflix iOS app, it may be the only option you have to download Netflix movies on the iPad officially.

  1. Launch the App Store on the iPad.
  2. Press the Profile icon on the top-right corner and select Purchased from the pop-up menu.
  3. Select Not on this iPad tab and search for the Netflix app.
  4. Press the Cloud icon next to the Netflix app to begin downloading it to the iPad.
  5. After which the newest, compatible version of Netflix will be installed on the iPad, wait for the installation process.

Note: The Netflix app will only show up in the Purchased section if you have downloaded the app before. The Apple ID associated with the iPad should have been used to download Netflix from the App Store in the past.

Solution #3 – Disable the VPN

Whether you use a VPN service specifically to enjoy the Netflix content library offered in different regions or just as a safety precaution, it can cause the app to falter. The streaming service provider takes no offense to users using a VPN service to enjoy the movies and TV shows unavailable in their region.

However, it can cause copyright entanglement for Netflix, which is why there is a carpet ban on using VPN with the Netflix app and the web version. If you are trying to download a movie or TV show on your iPad that isn’t available in your region, it only may not work. To stay on the side of caution, you can disable the VPN by heading to Settings – General – VPN and delete the VPN service.

Solution #4 – Check the Subscription Status

While the on-demand streaming service is infamous for bombarding you with email notifications when your subscription is about to end, you might have missed it. If you can sign in to the Netflix account but unable to watch any of the content or download videos and TV shows for offline viewing, your Netflix subscription may be up for renewal.

You will need to log into the Netflix website from the computer or the web browser to view the Account details. Here, you can look at the subscription period, plan details, manage download devices associated with the Netflix account, and even update the payment details if your account is up for renewal.

Solution #5 – Check Netflix Status

Since millions of users enjoy Netflix and its endless library of entertaining content each day, it is rare for the streaming service to not be operational. However, the Netflix streaming servers can undergo routine maintenance and experience some downtime, which could limit your ability to download entertaining content on the iPad.

Netflix offers you a quick and easy way to see if the video streaming service is down or not. All you need to do is log into the website and view the service status to determine if the reason behind you being unable to download movies and TV shows is the streaming service, not the iPad itself.

Can I Use 3rd-Party Services to Download Netflix Movies?

If you don’t own an iPad that can run the latest version of the Netflix app, your options to watch the best entertaining content from Netflix can seem bleak. Additionally, there is a limit to download 100 content (movie or TV show episodes) per device. While it may be enough for most, those who want to keep their entire entertainment library ready for offline viewing, may find it restrictive. A workaround that users have figured out to download and watch Netflix content on iPad is by using third-party apps like WALTR from Softorino, that capture the video on the screen and audio from the speakers, and stitch it together into a watchable format.

The video file can then be transferred to the iPad using iTunes or any other third-party data transfer app. There are methods to record the screen on Android devices, which can then be moved to your iPad manually. Obviously enough, the entire process is a long and tedious one, with several moving parts involved that can go haywire at any point. Hence, we don’t recommend using this method to watch Netflix movies and TV shows on your iPad or iPhone. Moreover, recording the video content from Netflix, instead of using the approved method to download and save movies using the official app, goes against the Netflix terms of use.

Final Words

The safest and most convenient way to enjoy Netflix movies and TV shows on your iPad is through the official app, and there’s no second argument to it. However, there can be times when you don’t have the option to do that, and you may need to look at alternative video streaming platforms to get your daily dose of entertainment. We’ve compiled a complete guide on how to watch free movies on your iPad, so if you’re all set up to enjoy a binge-watching session, do check it out.

Watch Free Movies and TV Shows on iPad

Are you among the millions of Netflix subscribers enjoying blockbuster movies, award-winning TV shows, and documentaries on your iPad without the need to being tethered to the internet?

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