If you visit the Netflix help site to answer your query about how to watch Netflix on an iPad, you will be able to see that The Netflix app is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models running iOS 14 or later, and is compatible with devices running iOS 5.0 or later that have already downloaded the Netflix app.
However, what if the iPad you own does not support iOS 5.0 or later, that is when you ask can I watch Netflix on an iPad without the app, because your iPad is not compatible?
Why does the Netflix app not work on my iPad?
Every app requires updates to ensure it works smoothly. App developers need to keep updating the apps to work on the latest software. As this continuous cycle of updating continues, they can’t also keep maintaining older versions of the apps for outdated software.
Over time, the older versions run into more and more problems, which do not get fixed. Until they are eventually removed by the app developers from circulation altogether. When this happens, the app becomes unavailable for users that have these older devices.
What software is my iPad running on?
It can prove to be useful to know what software you are currently running so you can find out if Netflix is available to you or not. You can do this by going to the Settings app on your iPad.
Open Settings, then scroll down till you find the General section. In the next menu, tap on About to see information about the device. To know your current software, it will be listed on the page next to “Version” or “Software Version.”
How do I download older versions of the Netflix app?
Though older versions of Netflix are still available if you try to download them from the App Store you might see a message saying, “Netflix is not compatible with this iPad.” The reason you see the message is because Netflix only makes previous versions of the app available to only the users who already downloaded it in the past.
You will be able to spot the NOTE – Devices running iOS 5.0 or later may be able to download an earlier version of the Netflix app if the app was downloaded in the past, on the Netflix help website.
If you did download Netflix prior to your device becoming un-compatible, you can try to find it from the Purchased page in the App Store app. That is the only place you will be able to get older versions of it.
When you tap on the cloud icon from your Purchased page to re-download Netflix, you will spot an alert, that says offering the last compatible version of that app. Tap on Download, and you have got yourself an old version of Netflix that works on your iPad.
Say, you never downloaded Netflix before, don’t worry, there are still a few things you can try
If you wish to watch Netflix on your iPad, you have two options: Download the Netflix app, or use the Netflix website on your iPad. If the app way is not for you, then you can use the website on your iPad, to watch a movie or TV show. This will open up a new browser tab, then automatically fill in the information required to connect to your Netflix account.
- Open Safari, visit “www.netflix.com”
- Sign in with your existing Netflix account. Or, if you don’t have an account, create one.
- Search for a movie or show or scroll down, then click on “My List”.
- Search the title you want to watch, then click on it.
- A window will pop up, this contains a green “Start Streaming” button.
- Click on the button, then wait for the movie to start playing.
- If you wish to change devices, just click on the “X” in the top right corner of the window.
- If you wish to pause the movie, click on the screen while playing.
- If you wish to stop the movie, click on the red “Stop” button in the bottom left corner of the window.
- Click on the “X” again to close the Netflix window when the movie is finished streaming.
Download the Netflix app from a device running compatible software
You can try to download Netflix from a compatible device to make it available on your iPad.
You might have multiple Apple devices: an iPad, an iPhone, and maybe even an iPod touch. If you have access to other devices running iOS 14 or later, download Netflix from that device to make it appear on the Purchased page on your older iPad.
Whatever device you are using, must be signed in to your Apple ID account when you download the Netflix app. If not, Netflix will not appear in the Purchased list on your iPad.
Check the account you are signed in to on each device by visiting Settings > App Store. Temporarily change accounts on the newer Apple device if it is required.
If it is possible, try to update to Netflix-compatible software on your iPad
Nearly every device released after 2015 is compatible with iOS 14 or later. If you have not already, you can try to update your iPad to iOS 14 or later. The easiest way to get Netflix on your iPad, if it is possible, is to update your iPad, then download the Netflix app from the App Store.
How to update the software on your iPad?
- Use your Wi-Fi to connect your iPad to the Internet. Check that it is connected by loading a new web page in Safari, or try streaming a video on YouTube.
- Open Settings, then navigate to General > Software Update.
- Wait while your iPad checks for any new updates, download, then install when there are any updates available.
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