“Help! How to download movies from Netflix to my USB? My favorite one is going to get taken down from Netflix!”
Perhaps you’re facing similar issues: wanting to back up your favorite movies before they disappear, enjoy them on a bigger TV screen, or simply free up device storage. If you know how to download movies from Netflix to a USB drive, all of these problems will be solved with ease.
Not sure how to do it? This article is here to help! We will show you a simple and effective method, providing a step-by-step guide to easily transfer Netflix downloads to a USB. Scroll down to find out how!
Can You Download Movies from Netflix to USB Directly?
No, you cannot download movies to USB from Netflix directly using the official app.
- On Windows/Mac: Netflix no longer supports offline downloads via its Windows app, so there is no official way to download Netflix movies on a computer for USB transfer.
- On iPhone: All downloaded movies are locked within the official app, so you cannot move or copy them to a USB stick.
- On Android: You can change the download location to SD to save internal space, but these files are not accessible as normal video files.
Why Can’t You Directly Move Netflix Downloads to USB Drive?
The main reason comes down to DRM protection. All Netflix movies and shows are encrypted, so they cannot be read, played, or transferred outside the Netflix app. Moreover, Netflix downloads are tied to your account and device. This is why copying Netflix movies to a USB flash drive doesn’t work.
Additionally, you will face strict Netflix download limits on download quantity, expiration, and storage device. Also, once the licence changes or you log out of your account, downloaded Netflix movies may disappear.
👉 Learn more in the guide: Netflix Download Limit: What is It & How to Get Around
As a result, simple copy-and-paste methods do not work when trying to put Netflix movies on a USB drive. To get the job done, you will need a more versatile solution, which we will break down in detail in the following section.
How to Download Movies to USB from Netflix (Step-by-Step)
To help you easily save Netflix movies to a USB flash drive, we tested several different methods. The result? The best way involves using a reliable Netflix downloader to download movies in MP4 and then move them to a USB drive. This ensures your videos are ready for any offline playback.
MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader is one of the reliable options that supports this workflow. With powerful processing technology, this tool can easily download Netflix movies and shows to USB-compatible file formats while overcoming platform restrictions. This way, you can easily transfer Netflix movies to a USB drive for flexible use across devices like laptops and TVs.
Even better, it also supports customizing the output folder. Once you have plugged in your USB drive to your computer and set it as the output folder, you can directly download movies from Netflix to the USB stick without any extra transfer steps. If you have no idea where to start, MovPilot is worth considering.
🌞 Main Features of MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader
- Convert Netflix videos to MP4 or MKV in FHD 1080P high-resolution.
- Preserve Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound for superior playback.
- Built-in Netflix browser to directly search for any Netflix shows and movies.
- 5X download speed to download multiple Netflix movies in batches simultaneously.
- 3 subtitle options: soft subtitles, hard subtitles, or external subtitles.
- Offers multilingual audio tracks and subtitles for download.
Now, let’s move on and see how to download Netflix videos to USB drive on Windows/Mac with the help of MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader.
Step 1. Log in to Netflix in MovPilot
Download MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader and install it on your computer. Then launch it. After that, log in to your Netflix account when the sign-in window pops up.
Step 2. Adjust Output Settings
Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner to customize output settings. You can choose the output format, video codec, audio language, subtitle language, etc.
Additionally, you can also connect your USB drive to the computer and set it as the output folder in this pop-up window. This allows you to directly download Netflix movies to USB stick.
NOTE. Make sure your USB drive is formatted as exFAT or NTFS. The old FAT32 cannot store any single file larger than 4GB, which is not ideal for saving HD Netflix movies.
Step 3. Search for Netflix Movies/TV Shows
Go back to the homepage. In the Download module, directly type the name of the Netflix movies you want, then hit the search button on the right. In addition, you can copy & paste the URL of the video in the bar to get to the video.
Step 4. Download Netflix Movies in 1080P MP4 for Permanent USB Storage
Tap on the download button provided behind all the Netflix movies/TV shows. Once the downloading process is done, you have finished the entire process without the need to transfer downloaded movies from Netflix to USB.
Step 5. Transfer Netflix Downloads from Computer to USB Drive (Optional)
What if you forget to set up the option to save Netflix movies in the USB folder? No worries! You can try an easy way to transfer downloaded Netflix movies to USB stick on Windows/Mac. Please follow the tutorial below:
1. Insert the USB drive into your computer.
2. In the “History” module of MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader, click the folder icon to locate the Netflix downloads on your computer.
3. Simply drag those files of your Netflix downloads to your USB drive, or copy & paste them into the USB drive folder. Then unplug your USB drive safely. You can now forever keep those Netflix downloads and enjoy them anytime and anywhere.
💡 After downloading with MovPilot, you can watch Netflix movies offline or move them to other devices for flexible playback. Here are more transfer tips:
How to Watch Netflix Movies Offline on TV via USB?
Once you have downloaded Netflix movies to a USB in MP4 or MKV format, playing them on your TV is quick and straightforward. This allows you to enjoy Netflix offline viewing on TV via USB without relying on the Netflix app or internet connection.
Step 1. Plug your USB drive into the USB port on the back or side of your TV. Most smart TVs automatically detect the device.
Note. If your TV fails to recognize the drive, ensure it is formatted to exFAT or NTFS.
Step 2. Use your TV remote to navigate to “Source”/”Input”/”Media”. Then, select your USB device.
Step 3. Choose the Netflix movie file. Press play, and your TV will start playing the video directly from the USB drive.
👉 Check more details: How to Play Netflix Content on TV with Ease
FAQs About Downloading Netflix Movies to USB Drive
Is it illegal to download Netflix movies onto a USB?
Downloading Netflix movies onto a USB drive for personal use is generally not considered illegal in most regions. However, it’s important to remember that using downloaded Netflix content for commercial purposes, such as selling or distributing it, could violate local copyright laws. Always ensure that you use downloaded content responsibly and comply with Netflix’s terms of service.
Can I download movies to USB from Netflix on Android?
No, you cannot directly download Netflix movies to USB on Android. Some users may try using a USB-C adaptor (OTG) to do os. But in most cases, the device cannot recognize a USB drive as a valid storage path.
Is it possible to record Netflix videos to a USB stick?
Technically, some desktop screen recording tools can capture Netflix playback, but this is not a recommended method. This is because it often shows:
- Lower video quality
- Audio sync issues
- Time-consuming
Most importantly, after the latest Netflix DRM updates, most screen recorders fail to work, showing black screens. Therefore, if you want to download movies from Netflix to USB, it is advisable to use professional Netflix video downloaders instead.
What’s the best format for transferring Netflix movie downloads to a USB drive?
In fact, most USB sticks support common video formats like MP4, MKV, and AVI. However, if you want to play videos on various players/devices via a USB drive, converting Netflix videos to MP4 is the most suitable option. If you prioritize keeping multiple audio tracks and subtitles from Netflix videos, then MKV might be a better choice.
Can I permanently save Netflix downloads on a USB drive?
Yes, you can. All Netflix movies or TV shows downloaded with MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader will be saved in a common video file format, including MP4 and MKV. This means you can permanently save and access them without worrying about official expiration dates or playback restrictions (as long as you don’t delete the files or the USB drive isn’t corrupted).
Can I stream Netflix from my phone to a TV with USB cable?
Yes, it is possible to watch Netflix movies stored on your phone on a bigger screen via a USB cable connection. However, this method does not work with every device. The following devices are supported:
- Android devices with a Type-C or Type-D port
- iPhone/iPad running iOS 11 or later
Here are the detailed steps:
Step 1. Connect your phone or tablet to the TV using a USB cable.
Step 2. Set up your mobile device.
- For Android: Go to Settings > Connections/Connected devices. Then, select Screen mirroring and USB connection.
- For iPhone/iPad: In the Control Center, tap on the screen mirroring icon. Then, select your TV name from the list.
Step 3. Once you start playing a Netflix movie in the app, it will seamlessly appear on the TV screen. If the current video ends, you will need to manually switch to the next episode or another title.
Final Words
If you are exploring how to download movies to USB from Netflix, the official app doesn’t help. Fortunately, there are still workable solutions. Tools like MovPilot Netflix Video Downloader can save videos in widely compatible formats like MP4 or MKV for offline viewing across various devices, making it easy to transfer Netflix movies to a USB drive on both Windows and Mac. This way, you can watch Netflix videos offline on almost any device without restrictions.