You recently bought a PS4 and are having a lot of fun with it. Now, however, you would like to learn more about the operation of the console, since you are not yet fully familiar with all its features. In this regard, you have learned that the latter also supports the installation of video streaming apps, primarily Netflix , and you would really like to know how to take advantage of this possibility. That’s the way it is, am I right? Then don’t worry: if you want, I’m here to explain how to download Netflix on PS4 .
Following the “tips” I’m about to give you, you should be able to do everything in a few minutes, so that you have Netflix on your PlayStation: think about it, it could also become your “secret weapon” to convince everyone in the house to connect the console to the TV of the living room (usually the best and therefore the most contested). All you’ll need is a good connection and, of course, a Netflix account.
How do you say? Can’t wait to get started? Then continue reading this guide and put my instructions into practice to find out how to install and use Netflix on PS4. Time a few minutes and you will be, controller in hand, immersed in your favorite series and movies!
Index
- Preliminary information
- How to download Netflix on PS4
- How to use Netflix on PS4
Preliminary information
To enjoy the shows in the huge Netflix catalog, you need to know some important requirements and information about the functioning of the famous streaming service on PlayStation.
A prerequisite is to have a PlayStation Network account . Being a gamer, I guess you are already subscribed to Sony’s online service, as it is essential for multiplayer gaming on the Net. If you are not yet, know that you are missing out on a very important part of the PlayStation experience, indeed almost fundamental. as it is only with a PSN account that you can download content, games and apps for your PS4.
Not surprisingly, the PSN account will also automatically give you access to the PlayStation Store , the official digital content store of the PlayStation platforms. From this store you can download the contents (including whole games, demos, apps, movies and music) you prefer and, if necessary, pay for them with the payment method that is most convenient for you. If all this sounds new to you, I invite you to follow what I have illustrated in this article , to understand more immediately.
How do you say? Wondering how it is possible that you have missed this interesting opportunity? Don’t worry, there is still time to fix it! In that case, I thought I’d come to your rescue in the PSN sign up process with an ad hoc article to accompany you as you enter the online world of PlayStation. And remember that if the service is not to your liking, you can unsubscribe from the PSN at any time. I also point out that a subscription to the PlayStation Plus paid service is not necessary to enjoy Netflix.
With your personal PlayStation Network account ready to log in, the road to Netflix is downhill. In fact, there are few other aspects to consider. One of which is about the speed of your connection. To get to know it, you can simply do a speed test , for example using one of the many reliable and fast methods I told you about in this guide .
Keep in mind that a slow connection deserves to be investigated thoroughly before contacting the service provider. My advice is to follow my general tips to improve the connection on PS4 , then make sure to set the fastest DNS on PS4 and finally act on the value of the ping value if the speed test is too high.
The connection speed values that you must keep in mind when using Netflix are those of 0.5 Mbs minimum for standard definition (therefore not HD) and the optimal one of 25 Mbps (for even UltraHD content). A speed between 3 Mbps and 5 Mbps (or higher) is recommended for viewing HD and Full HD content.
Another essential requirement for using Netflix from PS4 is to enable the HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) standard. Being a mandatory step, I’ll immediately explain how to check if you have already enabled it.
From the main console menu, press the controller’s up arrow and move the cursor right to the Settings menu . Here, scroll down and find the System settings , then press the X button on the Enable HDCP box , to enable this standard.
Then remember to choose the Netflix plan that suits you best: there are several to choose from with, often, the possibility of trying it for free for 14 or 30 days without renewal. For your convenience, I’ll list the Netflix plans currently available.
- Basic plan– at 7.99 euros per month, for viewing on a single screen at the same time at SD resolution.
- Standard plan– at 11.99 euros per month, for viewing up to two screens at the same time at HD resolution (up to 1080p when available).
- Premium plan– for 15.99 euros per month, for viewing up to four screens simultaneously in HD and UHD resolution (up to 4K when available).
Of course, I can imagine that you are still left with questions about the service Netflix offers itself, especially if you’re new to the service. For this reason I suggest you check my tips directly to get all the details you might need.
How to download Netflix on PS4
Now is the time to take action. After turning on your PS4, you can continue by connecting to the PlayStation Store . If you have never done so, you can enter the PS Store by navigating in the home bar of your PS4, pressing the left arrow of the controller, so as to display the icon with a blue shopping bag and the symbols of the controller : then press the X button of the pad to start the PlayStation Store.
Once in the online store, search for the Netflix app within the store. Speaking of which, the Search function falls flat. To use it, move upwards with the arrows on the controller, until the Search item is highlighted , easily recognizable by the logo that depicts a magnifying glass .
Now press X , to open the alphanumeric keypad directly on the screen, and type netflix , so as to start the search for the app in the store. When you see the logo of the big red “N” corresponding to Netflix on the screen , move to it – again with the arrows on the pad – and press the X key .
The screen you now have in front of you is the service tab on the PlayStation store: then select the blue Download button to immediately start the download and the automatic app installation process.
You must know that, if you prefer, there is also an alternative way to download Netflix on PS4: it consists in looking for the service logo directly from the TV and video icon in the main menu of the console.
From here you can choose the Netflix app and confirm, with the pad X button of the pad, the Download option . Again, you don’t have to worry about the installation, as this happens automatically after the download is complete.
By starting the download, you will receive an automatic notification in your email address, but worry about this email notifying you of the successful purchase . The download, in fact, is completely free and no payment is made.
How to use Netflix on PS4
Now comes the beauty of having Netflix installed on your PS4: it’s time to learn how to use it! I would say nothing simpler: I’ll explain immediately how to continue.
From the home of the PS4, scroll the menu bar to TV and video , then select the app by pressing the X button on the controller on it. I recommend that you be logged into your PSN account when accessing Netflix from PS4, I tell you this for the simple reason that otherwise access to the app would be impossible. For example, if there was PSN maintenance or any disruption, it would not be possible to use Netflix.
With the app finally launched, you are able to see the main page where you can select the Login or Register button . Then continue by logging into your Netflix account by entering your profile email address and password . These data are the ones you chose at the time of registration, exactly as I explained to you in this guide . If you haven’t done so yet, please refer to the same guide to create a new account (you can also proceed directly from the console, although not exactly convenient).
Once you’ve signed in to Netflix from your PS4, the main screen is virtually identical to the one available on other devices. You can scroll through the proposals in the home with the directional arrows of the controller and confirm the viewing of a content with the X key . The app on PS4 includes the Search and Browse Categories feature , where you can type the name of a content from the digital alphanumeric keypad , or select the categories you prefer.
If you’re looking for a content filter to restrict access to unsuitable content for minors, you can simply set this preference from the Settings menu , recognizable by a gear icon. This step is important since if you have already set a filter for video games and Blu-Ray Discs from the PlayStation Settings menu, this does not apply to content on Netflix.
Unlike the Windows 10 PC version and the one for smartphones and tablets, it is not possible (at least at the time of writing) to download videos directly to the PlayStation 4. This is why the vision is only available online.
If you have reached this point of the guide, it means that all you have to do is get comfortable in front of the home screen with your PS4 and Netflix freshly installed to give you the vision of the movies and marathons of the series you prefer! If, in addition to launching yourself in semi-infinite series marathons, you want to learn the operation of the service at 360 degrees, then here is the guide that can help you.
In case of second thoughts, if you do not intend to continue with the subscription and cancel the app, remember to cancel the subscription by following the instructions I gave you in my tutorial on how to cancel Netflix . After that, also delete the app from your console if you see fit.
You can uninstall Netflix from PS4 by moving over the app icon in the TV and video menu and pressing the OPTIONS button on the controller, then select Delete and OK . Easy, right?
