Netflix's offline download feature was once a convenient way to watch movies and shows without an internet connection. However, as of July 2024, Netflix removed offline download support from its Windows app, while Mac users never had a dedicated download app. Because of this change, desktop users face new challenges when trying to save Netflix videos for offline viewing.
This is where "ripping" Netflix videos became a common topic. Users turn to specialized software to remove DRM and save streaming movies or TV shows as permanent MP4 or MKV files.
In this article, we will cover two common ways to rip Netflix videos, explain the differences between ripping and official downloading, and discuss the legal and practical limits behind these methods.
Part 1: Can You Rip Netflix Videos?
The short answer is no, not reliably as a DIY method. Most attempts fail because of DRM (Digital Rights Management).
Netflix uses DRM to protect its videos. It blocks common methods like screen recording, browser capture, and download tools from accessing real video data. When users try to rip Netflix videos, the result is often a black screen, missing video, or broken files. Playback is only allowed inside a secure Netflix app environment.
The only stable option is Netflix's official download feature. However, downloads are still controlled. They only work inside the app, have expiration limits, and can stop working if a title is removed or licensing changes.
Some tools, such as ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader, are designed to download Netflix videos and convert them into formats like MP4 or MKV on Windows and Mac. These tools are intended for personal use only, and do not violate Netflix's rules for redistribution or commercial use.
Part 2: How to Rip Netflix Videos to MP4 or MKV Using a Netflix Video Downloader
So, Netflix streams and downloads are both protected by DRM, but some users still try to rip Netflix videos using a Netflix video downloader. These tools save movies and shows as local files by processing the stream instead of recording the screen, usually on Windows or Mac.
One example is ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader, which is designed for desktop use and aims to download Netflix content for personal offline viewing. Users install the Windows or Mac version, sign in, and search for a movie or TV show in the built-in interface. Once the title appears, they can select full movies or episodes and save them as MP4 or MKV files with a high success rate.
Key Features of ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader
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- Download Netflix movies, TV shows and more locally
- Convert Netflix movies and TV shows to MP4 or MKV
- Save multilingual language and subtitles in two types
- Remove ads from Netflix and keep original video quality
Step 1: Sign in to Your Netflix Account
Open the ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader on your computer and click "Sign in". 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.
Step 2: Configure Download Settings
Click the hamburger icon in the upper right corner of the ViWizard interface and choose "Preferences". In the "Download" section, personalize your preferences for video format, encoding type, video and audio quality, language, and subtitles. After making your choices, click "OK" to apply the changes.
Step 3: Start the Download
Use the search bar to look for specific shows or movies by title, keyword, URL, or code. Once you find the desired video, pick the episodes you wish to download and configure settings for video quality, audio options, and subtitles. When you're ready, click "Download" to begin.
Step 4: View and Play Downloaded Netflix Videos
You can check the downloaded content by clicking the folder icon next to the video title on the right side.
- Saves Netflix videos as local MP4 or MKV files that play on most devices
- Offers quality options like HD, 4K, or HDR depending on the title
- Supports subtitles and multi-language audio in many cases
- Allows offline viewing outside the Netflix app
- Files can be stored, moved, and managed like normal videos
- Performance can change due to Netflix DRM updates
- Not all titles or quality options are always available
- Requires installation and uses local storage space
- Results depend on tool compatibility with Netflix changes
- No official support from Netflix
Part 3: How to Rip Netflix Videos to MP4 or MKV Using Screen Recording Software
Screen recording is another method users try to save Netflix videos. However, Netflix's DRM often blocks this process. Many recordings result in a black screen, missing video, or out-of-sync audio. In some cases, only audio is captured while the video does not appear. This is intentional by design, not a technical issue, which is why standard recording methods often fail.
Because of this, screen recording is usually unreliable for Netflix content compared to dedicated downloader tools. It's essential to choose a helpful and reliable screen recorder tool. Here, we will take TunesKit Screen Recorder as an example.
01Go to the Netflix app or website and sign in to your account. Then, find the video you want to screen record.
02Install and open TunesKit Screen Recorder on your computer.
03Click the Options button with the gear icon, and you can change the recording settings depending on your needs.
04Next, enter the screen recording mode by choosing it from the menu.
05When the recording window pops up, you can set its size. After that, play the Netflix video and begin recording by clicking the REC button.
06When the recording process is finished, click the Stop button. You can find the recorded video displayed in the History list.
- Simple to use with basic screen recorder tools
- Can capture any video that plays on screen in theory
- Useful for short clips or quick captures
- Does not require Netflix download features
- Netflix DRM often causes black screens or missing video
- Audio may be out of sync or recorded without video
- Quality is not consistent
- Time-consuming for full movies or series
- Produces large files for long recordings
- Often unreliable due to built-in Netflix protections
Part 4: Is It Legal to Rip Netflix Videos?
The short answer is no, it is not allowed under Netflix's Terms of Use.
Netflix gives users a limited license to stream content inside its platform. Users can watch videos, but they do not own the files. Content cannot be copied, recorded, or extracted as standalone video files. It is licensed for viewing only, not for redistribution or external storage.
Netflix does allow offline viewing through its official download feature inside the app. However, availability depends on licensing. Netflix also notes that "While we may have the rights to offer them for streaming, we may not be able to offer them for download." So downloads are also controlled, can expire, and may stop working if content is removed.
Streaming and official downloads are allowed, but ripping or extracting Netflix videos into separate files is not permitted. Tools that convert Netflix streams into MP4 or MKV files are not authorized and may violate Netflix's Terms of Use. Even if successful, those files should be kept for personal use only.
Part 5: Netflix Video Ripping vs Downloading
| Feature | Netflix Ripping | Netflix Official Downloading |
| How it works | Tries to extract or capture video | Saves video inside Netflix app |
| File type | MP4 or MKV (if it works) | Encrypted in Netflix app |
| Video quality | Unstable or inconsistent | Stable, set by Netflix |
| DRM impact | Often blocked (black screen) | Fully supported |
| Reliability | Low, often breaks | High, consistent |
| File access | Full file access (if successful) | No file access outside app |
| Offline use | Unstable | Fully supported |
| Legal status | Not officially allowed | Fully allowed |
| User experience | Frequent errors and failures | Smooth but limited |
| Main risk | DRM blocks or tool failure | No file ownership outside app |
Netflix officially offers offline viewing through its mobile app, allowing subscribers to save content for offline use, but the videos remain locked inside the app with no file access. On desktop, users often find offline download options are limited, inconsistent, or unavailable depending on the app version, which leads to interest in "ripping" methods.
As an alternative, "ripping" Netflix videos may seem more flexible because it targets MP4 or MKV files, usually through downloader tools or screen recording software. However, these methods come with technical limits and DRM restrictions that affect reliability. In practice, users face a clear tradeoff: official downloads are limited but stable, while ripping offers more control in theory but rarely works consistently in reality.
Part 6: Conclusion
Ripping Netflix videos offers more freedom because users can save content as MP4 or MKV files for flexible offline playback. However, these files should not be shared or distributed, as this may conflict with Netflix's Terms of Use.
When used responsibly for personal offline viewing, tools like ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader provide a more practical way to access Netflix videos offline as local MP4 or MKV files, with support for HD or 4K, subtitles, and multi-language audio tracks.
Is it legal to rip videos from Netflix?
Ripping videos from Netflix is generally considered a violation of the platform's terms of service. However, there are exceptions. For example, if you use the downloaded content solely for personal use and do not share or distribute it, enforcement of such rules may vary. Therefore, it is important not to distribute or share ripped content publicly.
Will ripped Netflix videos include subtitles?
Yes, but it depends on what tools you're using. When using screen recording software to rip Netflix videos, the subtitles you capture will be limited to those visible on your screen during the recording. This means that only the subtitles that are actively displayed on the video (in the language and format you've selected) will be recorded.
If you are using ViWizard Netflix Video Downloader, you have much more control over the subtitles. This tool allows you to download subtitles in various languages, and you can choose between different subtitle formats, including embedded subtitles (which are part of the video) or standalone subtitles (separate subtitle files that can be toggled on or off).
What are other Netflix download limits?
Besides only being able to download videos on the Netflix mobile app, there are many other Netflix download limits. According to your subscription types, you can download on 2 to 6 supported devices at a time. Also, you can only download up to 100 active downloads per device. Lastly, the downloaded videos in the Netflix app will expire after an amount of time.
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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.
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