How to Download Netflix Movies to External Hard Drive [Updated]

By Alex Mercer Updated on July 11, 2025
A show my mom loves is leaving Netflix in a few weeks. Can I save a Netflix show to an external hard drive permanently by downloading it before it's removed? In this way, my mom will still be able to watch them after Netflix has removed the show.

-- From Reddit

Downloading Netflix movies to an external hard drive allows you to back them up for permanent, long-term viewing or a long trip, and it's a good solution to free up your device. In this guide, we will walk you through the best method to copy Netflix movies and shows to external hard drive​.

download netflix movies to external hard drive

Part 1. Can I Download Netflix Movies to an External Hard Drive?

The straightforward answer is no. You can't directly download movies to an external hard drive from Netflix using the official Netflix app. While Netflix has a built-in download feature, it has limitations, like restricted storage options and expiration dates. Besides, Netflix has strict digital rights management (DRM) policies; the downloaded titles are encrypted and can only be accessed through the Netflix app, so even if you transfer them, they won't play outside the app.

Thus, you'd bypass the Netflix DRM restrictions by using a third-party software designed for downloading Netflix content, such as StreamUlt Netflix Video Downloader, which allows you to save your favorite Netflix shows and movies in formats like MP4 or MKV. In doing so, you can transfer them to your external hard drive and keep them forever.

Part 2. How to Download Netflix Movies to External Hard Drive

StreamUlt Netflix Video Downloader is a powerful software available for both Windows and Mac that allows you to download and convert videos from Netflix into DRM-free MP4 or MKV files without losing video quality. If you're looking to save your Netflix movies to an external hard drive for long-term access and playback on various devices, StreamUlt is the best option. Here's why:

Key Features of StreamUlt Netflix Video Downloader:

  • 1. Save in Common Formats: Unlike Netflix's encrypted downloads, StreamUlt saves videos in formats like MP4/MKV, which are compatible with most devices, including TVs, laptops, and gaming consoles
  • 2. High-Quality Downloads: StreamUlt ensures that your Netflix movies are downloaded in high quality, with options to retain the original resolution up to 4K, perfect for large screens.
  • 3. Preserve Multilingual Subtitles and 5.1 Surround Sound Whether you need subtitles in multiple languages or original audio tracks, StreamUlt downloads videos with all their metadata intact, ensuring the best viewing experience.
  • 4. Unlimited Offline Access With StreamUlt, there's no worry about expiration dates or content removal from Netflix. Once downloaded, your videos are yours to keep, making them perfect for offline storage on an external hard drive.

Steps to Download Movies from Netflix to an External Hard Drive

Step 1Sign in to Your Netflix Account

Open the StreamUlt Netflix Video Downloader on your computer and click "Sign in" to authroize your Netflix account. Once signed in, you'll be able to access the entire selection of Netflix content, which includes movies, TV series, documentaries, anime, and original creations.

sign in netflix within streamult

Step 2Configure Netflix Download Settings for Hard Drive

Click the hamburger icon in the upper right corner of the StreamUlt interface and choose "Preferences". In the "Download" section, set up the video format as MP4 or MKV. Besides, you can also configure the encoding type, video and audio quality, language, and subtitles. After making your choices, click "OK" to apply the changes.

set netflix download preferences

Step 3Download Netflix Movies and Shows for External Hard Drive

Search the movies by title, keyword, URL, or code in the search bar within StreamUlt software. Next, pick the episodes you wish to download and configure settings for video quality, audio options, and subtitles. When you're ready, click "Download" to download Netflix shows for external hard drive.

add and download netflix shows

Step 4View the Downloaded Netflix Movies

You can check the downloaded content by clicking the folder icon next to the video title on the right side. Then, you can see all the Netflix movies in the designated folder in your computer.

view downloaded netflix video

Save Downloaded Netflix Movies to External Hard Drive

Now that your favorite Netflix movies are downloaded and ready to enjoy, the next step is to copy them to an external hard drive. Let's explore the simple steps to do this on Mac and Windows computer:

On Mac:

  1. Connect your external hard drive to your Mac USB port.
  2. Click on the Finder icon (a blue and white face) in your dock.
  3. finder on mac

  4. Open the external hard drive in Finder.
  5. Navigate to where your downloaded Netflix video files are stored.
  6. Copy or move the downloaded Netflix video files to your external hard drive.
  7. After transferring the videos, right-click on the hard drive icon and select Eject.

On Windows:

  1. Plug the external hard drive into the USB port on your computer.
  2. Open File Explorer (looks like a folder icon).
  3. file explorer on windows

  4. Open the external hard drive and navigate to the Netflix video files.
  5. Copy and paste, or drag the files to the folder where the external hard drive stores videos.
  6. When it's complete, right-click the external hard drive icon, and select Eject.

Part 3. FAQs about Downloading Netflix to External Hard Drive

Q1.Is it legal to download Netflix movies to an external hard drive?

A1.Yes, it is legal to do this for personal viewing; however, it's always important to respect Netflix's terms of service and not distribute or share the converted Netflix movies.

Q2.Can you save Netflix downloads to an SD card?

A2.Yes, Netflix allows users on Android and Amazon Fire devices to save Netflix downloads to an SD card. You can set the SD card as the default download location within the app settings. However, SD cards are limited in capacity compared to external hard drives and are suitable for temporary storage. If you need more storage space or wish to transfer files between devices, an external hard drive is a better solution.

Q3.Can I keep Netflix downloads forever on an external hard drive?

A3.Netflix app downloads expire after a set period or when the content is removed from the platform. With a downloader like StreamUlt Netflix Video Downloader, you can keep the Netflix files permanently and play them on any device you like.

Part 4. Conclusion

Saving Netflix movies to an external hard drive is a practical way to enjoy your favorite content without storage restrictions or internet dependence. While Netflix's app doesn't support this directly, StreamUlt Netflix Video Downloader offers an easy and efficient solution. Try StreamUlt today and unlock unlimited offline access to your Netflix favorites!

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