No smart TV? Your TV is never too old to learn! Read this guide to watch Netflix without a smart TV.
If you ask me, Netflix is top notch! I am an ardent fan of movie nights and a real ‘I-sit-on-the-couch-and-watch-TV’ connoisseur. I just hate commercials. Fortunately, that is not the case with Netflix. But I don’t own a smart TV – how can I watch Netflix without a smart TV?
That seemed like a problem at first. Netflix is an app, but I don’t have a smart TV (so I can’t download apps on my TV). Still, I’m not satisfied with a smaller screen: I really want to watch Netflix on my TV. But where there is a problem, there is a solution. In this case there are even a lot of solutions !
I describe all of them here, so that you do not have to look further for solutions or open your wallet for a new TV. I’m happy to do that for you as a fellow Netflix fan and non-smart TV owner. 😉
How does Netflix work?
Netflix is a so-called streaming service. A Netflix subscription makes it possible to watch films and series without advertisements whenever you want.
To use Netflix you need a good internet speed and a device with an internet connection on which Netflix can be downloaded. Think of a laptop, a smartphone or a smart TV.
Watching a movie or series on a TV generally beats watching it on other devices. Say for yourself, whatever TV it is: a QLED TV or OLED TV, an 85 inch or 65 inch TV, an old or new one, and from Samsung or LG – watching something on TV is often nicer, even if it is just because of the larger screen than you’ll find on your laptop or an average desk.
But only smart TVs have an internet connection. It is not possible to download the Netflix app on a normal TV. But don’t worry yet: you don’t have to buy a smart TV to watch Netflix on TV. There are (small) detours for this.
It’s a matter of making your old TV smart , or at least ‘smarter ‘. As a result, you will soon be able to enjoy Netflix on a TV that was not made for it in the first place. You can find all the ways to do that here!
Watch Netflix via a Chromecast
An easy and popular option to watch Netflix on a TV is via a Chromecast. It is a matter of installing the Chromecast and then streaming to the Chromecast via a PC, smartphone or tablet. You do that like this:
- Connect the Chromecast to the TV via the supplied HDMI cable.
- Open the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet and log in with a Google account.
- Tap the plus sign or “Add”.
- Tap “Set up device” > “Set up new home device”.
- Create a household or choose the desired existing household, and continue.
- Select your new Chromecast from the list.
- Now you need to connect the Chromebook to Wi-Fi. After this, a code will appear on your TV. Click “Yes” if it matches the one in your app.
Open the Netflix app on your smartphone or tablet and click on the cast icon at the top right when you start a series or film.
After this process is complete, it is possible to stream Netflix to your Chromecast to watch Netflix on your TV. It is important that the device from which you stream is connected to the same WiFi network as your Chromecast.
Or use the Chromecast via your PC . Open the Netflix in the Google Chrome browser on your PC, click on the three dots at the top and choose ‘Cast’. Select your Chromecast and choose the desired casting option under ‘Sources’.
Got your hands on a Chromecast with Google TV? Then you don’t even have to cast: you can install the streaming apps directly on the Chromecast itself and operate it from a separate remote control.
Watching Netflix on an Apple TV
An Apple TV is also a handy solution for watching Netflix on a non-smart TV. Do this by connecting the Apple TV to your TV via an HDMI cable. You will immediately see the installation menu as soon as you switch on the Apple TV. You do this by following the steps on the screen. 🐾
After this, it is only a matter of downloading the Netflix app on the Apple TV:
- Select the App Store on the Apple TV home screen.
- Search for the Netflix app and click download.
- Once the installation is complete, go to the home screen and navigate to the app.
- Log in and that’s it !
Watch Netflix via an Android box or Android stick
An Android box is similar to an Apple TV. An Android stick is the same as an Android box, but in the form of a stick that you plug directly into the TV, instead of a box that you connect to a TV via cable.
There are several Android boxes and sticks available, all with the same function: they turn a regular TV into a smart TV with Android TV as the operating system. Once set up, it’s a matter of downloading the Netflix app and logging in. How you do this differs per Android box or stick. I especially recommend that you read the specific instructions for use!
Watch Netflix via your PlayStation or Xbox
Do you have a PlayStation 3, 4 or 5 or do you have an Xbox 360, One or Series, and a TV? Then I have good news: you have everything you need to watch Netflix on your TV.
Well, almost everything: the console must be connected to the Internet. After that, it’s just a matter of following the steps. 👇
Through the Playstation
Do you have a PlayStation 3, 4, or 5? Then follow the steps below.
- PlayStation 3 : then go to ‘TV/Video services’ from the home screen.
- PlayStation 4 : Go to ‘TV & Video’ from the home screen.
- PlayStation 5 : From your PlayStation home screen, navigate to ‘Media’. Here click on ‘All Apps’ and go to ‘Video & Music Apps’.
For all, you then tap on the Netflix app and log in. That’s all.
Through the Xbox
Do you have an Xbox 360, One or Series? Then you will find the right steps here.
- Xbox 360 : At the top, select ‘Apps. Select ‘Browse apps’ here. Search for Netflix and click download.
- Xbox One, One S, and One X : Open the Microsoft Store and search for Netflix. Download the app here.
- Xbox Series X and Series S : Choose ‘Store’ on the home screen and navigate to ‘Apps’. Search for Netflix here and press download.
After this it is only a matter of logging in!
Watching Netflix via a decoder (from your TV provider)
TV providers usually offer you more than just their own services; many TV providers offer you the option to watch Netflix through them. You can do this via the decoder of your provider.
Before you think ‘What is a decoder ?’: this is the box with which you watch digital television. This is usually included in your TV subscription.
How you watch Netflix via a decoder depends on your decoder and TV provider. There are three ways : the Ziggo way, the KPN way and via other decoders.
Do you not have KPN or Ziggo, but another TV provider? Please test the methods below. If your carrier offers the option, it’s one of these ways.
Do you have a TV provider other than Ziggo or KPN and both the Ziggo and KPN methods do not work? Then it is possible that the decoder of your TV provider does not support the Netflix app.
The Ziggo method
Do you have Ziggo? Netflix can only be used on the Mediabox XL, Horizon box and Mediabox Next. Don’t have a decoder, or an older decoder from Ziggo? Then it is not an option to watch Netflix via the decoder.
The Netflix app is almost always installed by default on the Ziggo decoders mentioned above. There is even a fixed channel for it. Go to channel 150 on your TV (even if you don’t have a Ziggo), log in and voilà ! 👌
Is there no Netflix on channel 150? Then you may need to download the app or open it in another way:
- Turn on the TV and the decoder.
- Press the home button, menu button, or house button on the remote control.
- Select ‘TV apps’ or ‘Apps’ here.
- Navigate to the Netflix app here.
- Log in and enjoy a series or movie on Netflix
The next few times (except for a few times) Netflix will log in automatically when you open the app.
The KPN way
KPN has been offering support for Netflix on their decoders for many years. Chances are you’ll find Netflix by going to channel 200. Even if you don’t have KPN, I advise you to check whether Netflix opens here. If it does indeed have Netflix on it, it is only a matter of logging in.
Does Netflix not open on channel 200? Then you may need a detour:
- Turn on the TV and the decoder.
- Press the menu button.
- Navigate to ‘Apps on TV’.
- Select the Netflix app here and sign in.
This is all! Do you have KPN, but this does not work? Then a call to KPN can do no harm – there is a good chance that something simply goes wrong somewhere or that you own a fairly old decoder.
Is there a different provider and is neither this way nor the Ziggo way working? Then check out the other options in this article.
Via other decoders
Most people watch digital television via the decoder they get from their TV provider. It is also possible to purchase a decoder yourself.
The possibilities of downloading apps depend on the operating system of the decoder, but a good decoder offers the possibility to download Netflix.
Exactly how you do this differs per decoder. Usually you follow similar steps to those I describe above, but the exact description is in the manual.
Watch Netflix via a Blu-ray player
While Blu-ray players may seem outdated, that’s not entirely true. For example, the best Blu-ray player has all kinds of modern touches, including the ability to watch Netflix.
Often the app is on it together with YouTube and it is not possible to download other apps. Keep this in mind.
Watching Netflix via a laptop or computer and a cable
If you have a laptop or a desktop with a monitor, it is possible to watch Netflix on it. But this may not meet your needs, because you don’t have the best monitor, have a mini laptop with a screen that is too small, or simply prefer to watch on your TV.
Fortunately, it is possible to watch Netflix on TV via your laptop or desktop. All you need is a cable. This way you can connect your desktop or laptop to the TV.
In many cases it is possible to connect your PC to your TV with an HDMI cable, if necessary using an adapter. A connection via HDMI is a good option, as it transfers both image and sound.
Does your TV and/or PC have a VGA port? Then it is also possible to connect them via a VGA cable (and an adapter). VGA provides single image. If you would like to also play the sound from your PC through your TV or separate speakers, you need a separate 3.5mm audio cable.
You hardly ever see it nowadays, but in exceptional cases a TV only has composite or component connections.
If you want to connect your PC to this, your PC needs an HDMI connection. In that case it is an option to use a converter that converts the HDMI signal from your PC to a composite or component signal.
After connecting the PC to your TV, it is a matter of selecting the correct settings (copying your screen or using the TV as a second screen) on your PC. After this you open Netflix in the browser, log in and you are ready to watch Netflix. 👍
Watch Netflix via a smartphone or tablet and a cable
Just as it is possible to connect a PC to your TV with a cable, it is possible to connect a smartphone or tablet to your TV via a cable. This works much the same as how you connect a PC: you connect the two devices with a cable and that’s that.
Make sure that you choose a cable that is suitable for copying your smartphone or tablet screen to your TV and that it has the correct connections.
Also keep in mind that it is only possible to copy your screen, so it is not an option to watch Netflix this way and do something else on your smartphone or tablet at the same time. 😅
Other options
I can’t imagine there isn’t a good option listed above. Is this true? Then you have two options for watching Netflix: either you are satisfied with watching Netflix on another device (smartphone, tablet or TV), or you purchase a smart TV.
Watch Netflix without internet
Earlier I mentioned that to watch Netflix on TV you need a good internet speed and a device with an internet connection. And while that is almost always true, there is one small exception.
If you decide to watch Netflix via your smartphone or tablet and connect it to your TV via cable, it is possible to watch Netflix without internet. To do this, you must download the film or series you plan to watch in advance if you still have an internet connection.
Conclusion
Your regular TV is also very smart; it just needs a helping hand a little more often. Watching Netflix without a smart TV is not difficult. In fact, there are many ways to do it, you just need to know how and hopefully you know now.
Do you have any questions or a comment? Please let us know. Thank you for reading. 😊