How to Get Netflix on Xbox

Stream Netflix directly to your game console

By
Eric Qualls
Eric Qualls
Writer
Former Lifewire writer Eric Qualls has been covering the Xbox line of consoles and Xbox games since August 2004.
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Updated on November 17, 2021

What to Know

  • You need the Netflix app, a Netflix subscription, and a broadband connection to watch.
  • You don't need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to use Netflix on your console.
  • On your Xbox, go to the Store and select Apps, then find the Netflix app and select Install.

One of the hottest features of today's gaming systems is that you can use them to watch Netflix "Instant Watch" movies and shows on your TV rather than your PC. Here's a guide on how to stream Netflix on your Xbox console.

What Do I Need to Start?

To use the Netflix streaming feature, you'll need a few things.

  • Originally, you needed a PC to select movies to put in your Netflix queue, and then you could watch them on your Xbox 360. Now you can browse your queue on the Xbox itself, so no need for a PC. It should be noted, though, that using your PC is much faster and easier and still the way we recommend managing your queue.
  • Second, you need broadband internet. The faster, the better, as quality will improve based on your download speed. It still works on slower broadband connections (1.5Mb/s, for example), but the image quality won't be as good.
  • Third, you need a Netflix subscription.
  • Fourth, you do NOT need an Xbox Live Gold subscription. If you have a free Xbox network account, you can use Netflix with all the same features as Gold members.
Xbox One video apps

Setup

Once you have all of the above, all you need to do is turn on your Xbox 360 or Xbox One and navigate to that system's respective marketplace. The setup is as simple as you'd expect with any other app.

  1. Begin on your Xbox Home screen.

  2. Select the Store. If you're on an Xbox 360, choose Apps.

  3. Look for and select Netflix.

    The Xbox 360 will install the app from here. When it's ready, launch it, and sign in.

  4. Press Install.

  5. The Xbox will download and install Netflix. When it's finished, launch the app and sign in to your Netflix account.

Netflix app on an Xbox One console.
Netflix

Why It's Awesome

Streaming Netflix to your Xbox 360 or Xbox One rather than your PC is awesome because you can watch your shows and movies on a nice, big TV screen rather than on a computer monitor. The streaming is also very fast and convenient, so instead of waiting for a download for a movie from the Xbox website, your movie will start within a couple of minutes after you turn on your Xbox.

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