Watching Netflix on your TV is more enjoyable than squinting at a small phone screen. If you don't have a smart TV or prefer using a USB connection, you may be wondering how to get Netflix from your phone onto the big screen.
In this guide, we'll explore ways to connect your phone to your TV for online Netflix streaming, plus offline options using USB drives. Let's dive in!
Part 1. Can You Stream Netflix from Your Phone to TV with USB?
Yes, you can watch Netflix from your phone on your TV using a wired connection, but a standard USB cable alone won't work. Your TV's USB port is mainly designed to read stored media files, not mirror Netflix directly from your phone.
There are two main ways to watch Netflix on your TV using a wired connection or USB drive:
Online streaming: Connect your phone to your TV using a compatible USB-to-HDMI video adapter and an HDMI cable. Then open Netflix on your phone and play your favorite show or movie.
Offline viewing: Use desktop software, such as ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader, to save Netflix videos as MP4 or MKV files on your computer, transfer them to a USB drive, and play compatible files on your TV.
The first method lets you stream Netflix directly from your phone, while the second involves playing downloaded video files from a USB drive. Below, we'll walk through both methods and explain what you need for each one.
Part 2. How to Stream Netflix from Phone to TV with USB Port [Online]
If you want to watch Netflix from your phone on a bigger screen, you can use a compatible USB-to-HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable. This setup sends your phone's video and audio to your TV through its HDMI port, so you can play Netflix on the TV while controlling playback from your phone.
Before you start, check that your phone supports video output and that your Netflix plan and adapter are compatible. A regular USB charging cable won't work for this method.
What You'll Need:
- Smartphone or Tablet: Your Android phone must support video output through USB-C (DisplayPort Alternate Mode). For an iPhone, use a compatible Lightning-to-HDMI adapter for Lightning models or a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter for supported USB-C models.
- USB to HDMI Adapter or Cable: Choose one designed for your phone's connector and video output capabilities. For iPhones, use a compatible, certified adapter.
- HDMI Cable: Connects the adapter to your TV.
- TV with HDMI Input: Most modern TVs have at least one HDMI port.
- A compatible Netflix plan: Check Netflix's current supported devices and connection requirements, as plan restrictions may apply.
Read More : How to Get Netflix for Free - Unlimited Entertainment
Stream Netflix from Phone to TV with USB Port
Setp 1Connect Your Phone/Tablet to TV
01Plug the USB end of the adapter into your smartphone or tablet.
02Connect the HDMI end of the adapter to an available HDMI port on your TV.
03Using your TV remote, switch to the HDMI input channel where you connected your phone or tablet.
Setp 2Set Up Your Phone/Tablet
For Android Devices:
01On your Android device, go to "Settings."
02Look for and select "Connections" or "Connected Devices."
03Choose "Screen Mirroring," "Smart View," "Cast," or a similar option.
04Select "USB Connection" or "USB to HDMI" as the connection type.
For iPhone Devices:
01Swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center.
02Tap on "Screen Mirroring" or "AirPlay."
03Select your TV from the list of available devices.
Setp 3Stream Netflix from Your Phone/Tablet to TV
01Locate the Netflix app on your phone or tablet's home screen.
02Tap to launch the app.
03Browse for the movie or TV show you want to watch.
04Tap on the title to begin streaming.
05The content should now appear on your TV screen, streaming directly from your phone or tablet.
06Use your phone or tablet as a remote control to play, pause, rewind, or skip content.
07Adjust volume and settings directly from your device.
Part 3. Part 3. How to Download Netflix to USB Drive with Desktop Software [Offline]
Don't want to connect your phone to the TV every time you watch Netflix? You can save supported movies and shows as MP4 or MKV files using a desktop tool like ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader, then transfer them to a USB drive for playback on a compatible TV. Before getting started, here's what you'll need.
What You'll Need:
- External Hard Drive: Ensure you have a USB-compatible external hard drive with sufficient storage space for your downloaded Netflix content.
- ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader: This software allows you to download movies and TV shows from Netflix and convert them to popular formats like MP4 or MKV.
- Computer: You'll need a PC or Mac computer to run the ViWizard software and download the Netflix content.
- USB Cable: To connect the external hard drive to your computer for transferring downloaded content.
- TV with USB Input: Make sure your TV has a USB port for connecting the external hard drive.
- A Netflix subscription: You'll need an active Netflix account to sign in and access the movies and shows you want to download.
Tool Required: ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader
ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader is an unbeatable tool designed to help Netflix subscribers download their favorite movies and TV shows from Netflix for unlimited offline viewing. With ViWizard's support for 5.1 Dolby Atmos and the best 1080P resolution, you won't have to compromise on the auditory experience.
Key Features of ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader
Free Trial Free Trial* Security verified. 5, 481,347 people have downloaded it.
- Download Netflix movies and TV shows as MP4 or MKV files
- Preserve HD, 4K, HDR video, audio tracks, and subtitles
- Accelerate downloads when saving long videos or complete seasons
- Remove ads automatically during video downloads
- Save Netflix videos for playback on different devices
Step 1: Sign in and Access Netflix Content
Launch ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader on your laptop. Access the integrated Netflix Web Player within ViWizard. Click "Sign in" and enter your Netflix account credentials to unlock the extensive library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, anime, and originals.
Step 2: Customize Download Settings
In ViWizard, click the hamburger icon in the top right corner. Select "Settings" and go to the "Download" section. Personalize your download preferences: Choose the output format (MP4 or MKV). Select the codec, quality, audio channel, language, and subtitles. Click "OK" to save your customized settings.
Step 3: Find and Select Content
Close the Settings window and return to the ViWizard Web Player. Use the search bar to find specific movies or shows. Alternatively, paste the URL or code of the desired Netflix content. Open the video you want to download. With the content selected, click "Download" to begin.
Step 4: Start the Download Process
ViWizard will start downloading individual episodes, full seasons for TV shows, or entire movies. Wait for the downloads to complete; they will be saved as MP4 or MKV files. Once downloads are finished, navigate to the "Converted" section in ViWizard. Here, you'll find all completed downloads ready for transfer. If needed, click the "Folder" icon next to each title to locate the downloaded files on your laptop.
Now you're ready to transfer the downloaded Netflix content to your USB drive for offline viewing on your Smart TV!
Paty 4. How to Transfer Netflix Downloads to USB Drive
After downloading Netflix videos to your computer with ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader, the next step is to transfer them to a USB drive. This way, you can play them on a compatible TV or media player without an internet connection.
Before you start, make sure your videos are saved as regular video files, such as MP4 or MKV. Downloads from the official Netflix app are encrypted and can't be copied to a USB drive for playback on other devices. If you've already downloaded your videos to your computer as MP4 or MKV files, follow the steps below to transfer them.
Transfer Netflix Downloads to USB Drive
01Plug your USB drive into a USB port on your computer.
02Locate the folder where ViWizard saved your Netflix downloads.
03Usually found in the "Downloads" folder or where you chose to save them.
04Select the downloaded Netflix files.
05Right-click and choose "Copy."
06Open your USB drive folder, right-click, and choose "Paste."
07This may take a bit depending on file sizes.
08Make sure all files are copied before unplugging the USB drive.
09Right-click the USB drive icon.
10Choose "Eject" to safely remove it from your computer:
- On Windows: Right-click on the drive icon in the system tray and choose "Eject."
- On Mac: Drag the drive icon to the Trash or use the "Eject" option in Finder.
Paty 5. How to Watch Netflix on TV with USB Drive
You've transferred your favorite Netflix movies and shows to a USB drive. Now, it's time to connect it to your TV and enjoy your downloads on the big screen. Just follow these steps:
Watch Netflix on TV with USB Drive
01Take your USB-compatible external hard drive to any TV with a USB port.
02Plug the external hard drive into the USB port on the TV.
03Use your TV's remote control to navigate to the external hard drive.
04Locate the transferred Netflix files in the external hard drive's folder.
05Select the file you want to watch and start playback directly on your TV.
No matter the distance, you can watch Netflix together with your family or friends! Discover the best methods to achieve this goal here.
Paty 6. FAQs About Streaming and Downloading Netflix via USB
Can I download Netflix movies directly to a USB drive?
No. Netflix's official app doesn't offer a direct option to download movies and shows to a USB drive as playable video files. If you want to transfer videos to a USB drive, a desktop tool such as ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader offers an alternative for saving videos in formats like MP4 or MKV, subject to applicable laws and Netflix's terms.
Why won't my TV play Netflix videos from my USB drive?
Your TV may not support the video's file format, video or audio codec, resolution, or the USB drive's file system. Also, downloads from the official Netflix app are encrypted and can't be played through a TV's USB media player. Check your TV's supported formats and make sure you're using compatible video files.
Can I watch Netflix on my TV through a USB cable from my phone?
Not directly in most cases. Connecting your phone to a TV with a USB cable usually doesn't mirror Netflix playback. You can try a supported screen-mirroring method, HDMI adapter, or casting device instead. Compatibility depends on your phone and TV.
Conclusion
Congratulations! Now you know how to stream Netflix from your phone to your TV and transfer downloaded videos to a USB drive for offline viewing. Ready to enjoy more of your favorite Netflix movies and shows on the big screen? Try ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader today and get your downloads ready for your next movie night!
You May Be Interested
Dave Henry, a multimedia technologist at ViWizard, focuses on delivering the best solutions for digital media challenges, including audio and video conversion, media optimization, and troubleshooting.
Leave a Comment (0)