A Complete Guide to Watching Netflix on a TV or Smart Device

Netflix offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content at affordable subscription prices. You can watch Netflix on nearly any internet-connected computer, smartphone, tablet, Smart TV, streaming device, or modern video game console. This wikiHow article teaches you how to watch Netflix on a variety of devices.

Things You Should Know

Install the Netflix app on your smart TV or streaming device's app store, then sign in or create an account to start watching.
If you don't have a smart TV, use a streaming device like Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Google TV.
You can also connect your laptop or desktop PC or Mac with an HDMI cable, or use your gaming console.

Method 1

Method 1 of 8:

Using a Smart TV

1
Determine what kind of smart TV you have. The exact layout and interface of your smart TV can differ depending on the model or manufacturer. These steps should help owners of most smart TVs, including LG WebOS, Vizio SmartCast, or Samsung Smart TV.
- Many modern smart TVs have popular streaming devices built in such as Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV. If your smart TV has one of these features, head to the section on using a Roku, Google TV, or Amazon Fire for more detailed information.
2
Connect your TV to your home network. To stream Netflix from your smart TV, it will need to be connected to the internet. You'll usually do this through Wi-Fi, but many TVs also support a wired connection.
- A wired connection will provide a much more stable connection to the internet.
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3
Open your smart TV apps. Most TV remotes will have a button that opens the apps list. This button is often a logo or has the TV's brand name on it. You'll need to use the remote for your TV, not your cable box or universal remote.
- Some remotes may include a specific Netflix button, which you can use to visit Netflix directly.
4
Open the Netflix app. It's a white icon that says "Netflix" in red letters. Use the arrow buttons on your TV remote to navigate the apps on your Smart TV's user interface. Highlight the Netflix app icon and press the Select, Enter, or Ok button on your remote.
- If you can't find the Netflix app, you may have to download it from your smart TV's app store.
- You may need to update an older TV's firmware in order to access streaming apps. The process for this varies, but generally, you'll download the file onto your computer, copy it to a USB flash drive, and then load that into the TV. Refer to your TV model's Support page for detailed instructions.
5
Log in with your Netflix account. Use the on-screen keyboard to enter the email address and password associated with your Netflix account, then select Sign In.
- If you do not have a Netflix account, you can sign up for Netflix at the Netflix website or on your TV.
- If you have more than one profile on your Netflix account, select the profile you want to use.
6
Find and play content. Use the arrow buttons on your TV remote to navigate the menus on Netflix. Highlight a tile and press the Select, Enter, or Ok button on your remote to view the information. If you want to watch a movie, highlight the Play icon and press the Select, Enter, or Ok button to play the entire movie. If you want to watch a TV show, highlight Seasons, select a season, select an episode and press the Select, Enter, or Ok button to play the episode.
- You can then use your remote to control the playback while the video is playing.

Method 2

Method 2 of 8:

Using an Amazon Fire Stick

1
Open the Netflix app. Use the remote to highlight the Netflix app on the home screen and press the center button to select the app. These steps will work on both Amazon Fire TV Stick and Amazon Fire TV (without the stick).
- Ensure your device is fully set up and connected to Wi-Fi before continuing.
- If you cannot find the Netflix app, use the magnifying glass icon to search for and download the app.
2
Select Sign In. It's in the lower-right corner on the Netflix title screen. This allows you to sign in to your Netflix account.
3
Enter the username and password associated with your Netflix account. Use the on-screen keyboard to enter the username and password associated with your Netflix account.
4
Select a user profile. If you have more than one user profile on your Netflix account, use your Fire Stick remote to select the icon that corresponds to your user profile.
5
Select a movie or TV show you want to watch. Use the arrow buttons on your Fire Stick remote to browse movies and TV shows on Netflix. When you find a movie or TV show you want to watch, press the button in the center to display the information page of the movie or TV show.
6
Select an episode or the Play icon
. If you want to watch a movie, use the arrow buttons on your Fire Stick remote to highlight the Play icon and press the button in the center to play the entire movie. If you want to watch a TV show, use the arrow buttons on your Fire Stick remote to highlight Seasons and select an episode. You can then use your Fire Stick remote to control playback while the movie or TV show is playing.
- If you have the Netflix app on your smartphone or tablet, you can play a movie or TV show on your smartphone or tablet and then press the cast button and select your Amazon Fire Stick device.
- When you highlight a tile for a show or film, a trailer will begin to autoplay. Use these to help you decide what to watch!

Method 3

Method 3 of 8:

Using a Roku

1
Select the Netflix app on your Roku Use the arrow buttons on your Roku remote to highlight the Netflix app, then press the Ok button to select the app.
- These steps will work on both Roku streaming sticks and Roku TVs.
- If you don't see the Netflix app on the Roku home screen, open the Channel Store, go to Movies & TV, select Netflix, and then select Add Channel. Now, select Go to Channel to open Netflix.^{[1]
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2
Log in with your Netflix account. Use the on-screen keyboard to enter the email address and password associated with your Netflix account, then select Sign In.
- If you have more than one profile on your Netflix account, select the profile you want to use.
3
Find and play your favorite shows or movies. Use the arrow buttons on your Roku remote to navigate the menus and videos on Netflix. Highlight a tile and press the Ok button on your remote to view the information. If you want to watch a movie, highlight the Play icon and press the Ok button. To watch a TV show, highlight Seasons to sort through and select an episode. You can then use your remote to control the playback while the video is playing.^{[2]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 8:

Using a Computer with HDMI

1
Connect an HDMI cable from your computer to your TV. If your computer has an HDMI out port, connect one end of an HDMI cable to it, and the other to an available HDMI in port on your TV. Make note of which HDMI in port you connect to.
- If your computer doesn't have an HDMI out port, check to see if it has a DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort or Mini HDMI out port. You may need an adapter to connect these out ports to your TV. You may also be able to connect to a TV using Bluetooth, but there may be a lag between the video and audio.
- For older computers, you may be able to connect your laptop to your TV using the DVI or VGA port and an HDMI adapter. These connections do not carry an audio signal. To get audio, you will most likely need to use a 3.5mm stereo-to-RCA cable to connect to the headphone port on your computer to an RCA input that corresponds to the video in on your TV.
2
Press the power button
on your TV remote. The power button typically has an icon that resembles a circle with a line through the top.
3
Select the HDMI source you connected your computer to. Press the Source or Input button on your TV remote to select the video source. Once you select the right source, you should see your computer screen mirroring to your TV.
4
Go to https://www.netflix.com in a browser on your computer. If you're not already signed in to your Netflix account, click Sign In at the top-right corner and enter the email address and password associated with it to sign in now.
- If you have more than one profile on your Netflix account, select the profile you want to use.
5
Click a movie or TV show you want to watch. Use the mouse's scroll wheel or two fingers on the touchpad and click the left and right arrows in the categories to browse movies and TV shows on Netflix. When you find a movie or TV show you want to watch, click its image to display the information page of the movie or TV show.
6
Click an episode or the Play icon
. If you want to watch a movie, click the Play icon to do so. If you want to watch a TV show, click Seasons and select an episode. You can then control playback of the movie or TV show in the Netflix browser.
- You can also use screen mirroring to watch movies and TV shows from your computer on your TV.

Method 5

Method 5 of 8:

Using an Apple TV

1
Turn on your TV and switch to your Apple TV's input. Press the Input or Source button on your TV remote to select the HDMI input you connected your Apple TV to. You should see the Apple TV Setup screen if you're on the correct input.
- If you haven't set up your Apple TV yet, follow the on-screen instructions to do so now.
2
Select the Netflix app. It is the white icon that says "Netflix" in red letters at the top of the apps list.
- Use the arrow buttons on your Apple TV remote or swipe left, right, up, and down on your Siri Remote to navigate the apps on your Apple TV's user interface.
- Highlight the Netflix app icon and press the circle button in the middle or touch the touchpad on your remote.
3
Log in with your Netflix account. Use the on-screen keyboard to enter your email address and password associated with your Netflix account, then select Sign In.
4
Select a profile. If you have more than one user profile on your Netflix account, use your Apple TV remote to select the icon that corresponds to your user profile.
5
Find and play content. Use the arrow buttons on your Apple TV remote or swipe on your Siri remote to navigate the menus on Netflix. Highlight a tile and press the center button or touch the touchpad on your remote to view its information. Then, click Play. If you want to watch a TV show, highlight Seasons to sift through episodes. You can then use your remote to control the playback while the video is playing.
- When you highlight a tile for a show or film, a trailer will begin to autoplay. Use these to help you decide what to watch!

Method 6

Method 6 of 8:

Using a Chromecast with Google TV

1
Set up your Chromecast with Google TV if you haven't already. If you have a Google TV, you can skip this step. If you have a separate Chromecast that has Google TV, connect it to your TV's HDMI port, turn your TV on, and follow the setup prompts.
- If you have a Google TV (not a Chromecast with Google TV support), you won't need a phone or tablet. Instead, you'll be able to download the Netflix app from the app store right on your TV.
2
Open the Netflix app on your smartphone or tablet. Download it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store if you haven't already. It's a black icon with a red N.
- If you own a Chromecast with Google TV, you can skip this step and navigate directly to the Netflix app on your TV.
- If you aren't signed in to Netflix, enter the email address and password associated with your Netflix account, then tap Sign In.
- If you have more than one profile on your Netflix account, select the profile you want to use.
3
Select a movie or TV show you want to watch. Swipe up or down and tap the left or right arrows in the categories on your smartphone or tablet to browse movies and TV shows on Netflix. When you find a movie or TV show you want to watch, tap its image to display the information page of the movie or TV show.
4
Tap the Play icon
. It's over the movie's image at the top of the information page, or to the right of an episode in the episode list.
- If you selected a movie, doing so will play the entire movie.
- If you want to watch a TV show, tap Seasons, select a season, select an episode and tap Play to play the episode.
5
Tap the cast button
. It is the icon that resembles a TV with three arching lines located in the upper-right corner of the movie or TV show. A list of devices will appear.
6
Tap your Chromecast device. This casts the movie or TV show you are playing on your smartphone or tablet to your TV.
- Make sure your smartphone or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast device.
7
Control playback using the Netflix app. You can pause and seek using your Netflix app. Playback controls will also be available in your Notification Panel.^{[3]
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- You don't have to keep Netflix open on your smartphone or tablet to keep playing your content on your TV.
- Once your Chromecast is all set up, you won't have to go through all of these steps every time you want to watch. Just turn on your TV and switch to the Chromecast input, then load the Netflix app on your smartphone or tablet and cast to your device.

Method 7

Method 7 of 8:

Using a Chromecast with Android, iPhone, or iPad

1
Connect your Android, iPhone, or iPad, to the same network as your TV. If your TV or streaming device supports Chromecast (most do), you'll be able to cast Netflix to your TV from your phone or tablet. Start by making sure your phone or tablet is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast-enabled TV or streaming device.
- Both Android and iOS users can cast Netflix content over Wi-Fi through Chromecast, but iOS users should note that Netflix no longer supports AirPlay.
- If you do not own a Chromecast-enabled smart TV, you can buy a Chromecast to connect to your TV.
2
Open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet. It's the red N icon on your home screen or in your app list.
3
Tap the Cast icon. You'll see this in the upper or lower right corner of your phone's screen, depending on your model. The icon is a rectangle with a canted Wi-Fi icon in its lower-left corner.
4
Select your TV. Once you tap the Cast icon, you will receive a pop-up asking you to select the device to which you want to cast your Netflix app. Select your TV or Chromecast device from the list.
- If you do not see your TV, ensure you are connected to the same network and signed in to the same Netflix account on both devices.
5
Select a movie or TV show you want to watch. Freely swipe through your app until you find what you want to watch on your TV. When you find a movie or TV show you want to watch, tap on its tile to display the information page of the movie or TV show.
6
Select an episode or the Play icon
. If you want to watch a movie, tap the Play icon to play the entire movie. If you want to watch a TV show, tap Episodes & Info and select an episode on the following page.
- Your show or movie will only display on your TV. It will not display on your phone or tablet. However, you can still use your device to control playback and adjust playback settings.

Method 8

Method 8 of 8:

Using a Video Game Console

1
Power on your console that is supported by Netflix. You can watch Netflix on a variety of different video game consoles, which can be useful if you don't want to purchase a streaming video device. The following video game consoles can use Netflix:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X/S
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 3
- Xbox One
- Xbox 360
2
Download the Netflix app. You will need an internet connection for your console to download and watch Netflix. The process to download the app will vary depending on the console that you are using. If you're using an Xbox 360, skip this step.
- On the PlayStation 5, you can find the Netflix app in the Video and music apps subsection of the All apps section of the main menu.
- On the PlayStation 4, you can find the Netflix app in the TV & Video section of the main menu. Selecting it will prompt you to download the app. If you don't see it, you can download it from the PlayStation Store.^{[4]
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- On the PlayStation 3, you can find the Netflix app in the "TV/Video Services" menu of the XMB. Selecting it will prompt you to download the app. If you don't see it, you can download it from the PlayStation Store.
- On any Xbox, you'll need to download the Netflix app from the Microsoft Store.
  - Your Xbox may prompt you to download Netflix alongside other popular streaming apps when you first set up the console.
3
Open the Netflix app. You can open the Netflix app by selecting Start on the information page once the app is finished downloading, or you can use the left analog stick or D-pad to highlight the Netflix app on the Dashboard, XMB or PlayStation 4 main menu and press the confirmation button to select the app.
4
Log in with your Netflix account. When you launch the Netflix app for the first time, you'll be prompted to log in with your Netflix account. Use the on-screen keyboard to enter the email address and password associated with your Netflix account, then select Sign In.
- If you have more than one profile on your Netflix account, select the profile you want to use.
5
Select a movie or TV show you want to watch. Use the left analog stick or D-pad on your game controller to browse movies and TV shows on Netflix. When you find a movie or TV show you want to watch, press the confirmation button to display the information page of the movie or TV show.
6
Play the movie or TV show. If you want to watch a movie, use the left analog stick or D-pad on your game controller to highlight the Play icon and press the confirmation button to play the entire movie. If you want to watch a TV show, use the left analog stick or D-pad on your game controller to highlight Seasons and select an episode. You can then control playback with the left analog stick or D-pad while the movie or TV show is playing.
- If you have the Netflix app on your smartphone or tablet, you can play a movie or TV show on your smartphone or tablet and then press the cast button and select your game console.
- When you highlight a tile for a show or film, a trailer will begin to autoplay. Use these to help you decide what to watch!

Community Q&A

Question

How many devices can I watch Netflix on?

Community Answer

You can log into as many different devices as you like, but you are limited to a certain number of screens streaming at once. The basic plan allows a single stream, while the most expensive plan allows for up to four screens watching different programs.
Question

Does streaming a movie count against my data cap?

Community Answer

If your internet service provider imposes a data cap on your service, streaming Netflix will count against it. Make sure to monitor your available data, as Netflix can quickly eat up your available amount.
Question

Can my husband and I watch on separate devices at the same time?

Community Answer

Yes, with the right plan. The number of streaming screens ranges from 1 to 4 at a time. If your current plan only allows one, you can upgrade anytime.