With their 25 million and 223 million subscribers globally, AppleTV and Netflix are a giant combination in the massive entertainment and technology industry. The popularity hit the market owing to the premium services, user-friendly interface, and availability of diverse media libraries.
However, if you aren’t familiar with Netflix on Apple TV, we will help you with every little detail you need to know to work well with Apple TV Netflix.
However, before that, let us be clear that most of the content on Netflix is geo-restricted, and you need to use a good VPN to bypass these bans. It will help you access the most hyped US Netflix library with over 6000 titles.
The VPN spoofs your IP address and assigns you a new one, making Netflix believe you are a US citizen. Also, you may use Smart DNS technology to bypass any site bans on Apple TV. After years and years of continuously testing multiple VPNs for Apple TV, we have finally concluded that nothing works better with Apple TV than ExpressVPN.
In the later sections, we will also discuss why VPNs are necessary for streaming Netflix on Apple TV.
A quick guide to watching American Netflix on your Apple TV in March 2024
Accessing American Netflix on Apple TV from anywhere globally is a cinch. As ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming Netflix on Apple TV, we have taken it as a reference in all our methods where we need to use a VPN.
Here is how you can access US Netflix on Apple TV:
- Open ExpressVPN on your browser, select a payment plan and continue with the subscription. We recommend using a 12-month plan which allows you to have the maximum discount and comes under $6.67 per month with 3 months free and a 30-day money-back guarantee!
- After a successful subscription, download and Install ExpressVPN on your Apple TV.
- Log in to your account using your credentials at the subscription time.
- Now, on the home page, you see a list of server options. For American Netflix, select a US server near your actual location.
- Let your device be successfully connected to the server. Now, go to the Netflix app and relaunch it.
- You can see all the titles from American Netflix there.
- Happy Netflixing.
ExpressVPN has many modern features giving you access to all the regions globally. With its 3,000+ servers in more than 90 countries around the globe and military-grade 256-bit-AES encryption protocols, it allows its users to have the best unblocking capability and security. Moreover, the light protocol ensures ultra-fast speeds and helps you stream your favourite movie or show in 4K mode, even during high traffic.
Also, the best part is that you get a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to claim a full refund if you think it is not something best for you. So, why not give it a shot?
Guide to watching American Netflix on your Apple TV with smart DNS
If for some reason, you cannot download the VPN directly on your Apple TV, you may also access American Netflix on Apple TV using Smart DNS. Moreover, accessing geo-banned libraries on your Netflix is quicker and more straightforward. Here is the guide:
- Install ExpressVPN on your PC or smartphone and sign in to your account.
- At the bottom of the “My Account” page, you’ll see a Smart DNS Activation option. Choose it.
- Your email address will now receive a confirmation email.
- Smart DNS is now ready to use. Install it on your smart TV.
- Navigate to your Smart TV’s settings and look for network options. You must locate your Wi-Fi connection there.
- When you click on the Wi-Fi network settings, you will see various possibilities. Look at the DNS configuration and pick the manual.
- Add the US DNS codes to your Smart TV. You can receive it from the ExpressVPN website where you enabled DNS.
- Finally, click “Done.” When you connect to smart NDS using ExpressVPN, your smart TV will begin loading all compatible geo-restricted material, including the US Netflix library.
- Refresh your Netflix account. American Netflix is now available to stream.
ExpressVPN uses Media Streamer, a sophisticated Smart DNS tool, to help you bypass any site ban effectively. However, even with that, you do not get all the modern security and privacy feature the VPN providers boost. So, your internet connection always stays on the verge of privacy breaches.
Moreover, SmartDNS is more like a proxy server. If you want to unblock Netflix on Apple TV anywhere other than the US, you may not have such liberty. So, you may say it is a quick tool, but it has multiple limitations, which does not make it an ideal option for accessing US Netflix.
Does Apple TV support 4K Netflix streaming?
To get the 4K Netflix on Apple TV, subscribe to the Netflix premium payment plan.
However, you need to consider the model of Apple TV in use. For example, the 1st and 2nd-generation Apple TV allows you to have Netflix streaming at 720p quality. In contrast, the 1080p liberty starts with the 3rd generation Apple TV.
Furthermore, Apple TV 4K can support up to 2160 p resolution and give you the best Netflixing experience among all generations.
Moreover, your internet connection speed is decisive in determining your streaming resolution. You can never enjoy a 4K streaming with a slow internet connection even if you invested in getting an Apple TV 4K and a paid Netflix account.
Guide to watching American Netflix on Apple TV 2 and 3?
First thing first, while watching Netflix on Apple TV 2 and 3, you do not expect a resolution above 720p. So, getting a Netflix premium subscription is useless; you may go for the lower ones.
These are the steps you need to follow if you want to access global Netflix libraries on Apple TV 2 and 3.
- Connect your Apple TV 2 or 3 to your TV using an HDMI cable.
- Choose the “Netflix” app from your Apple TV’s main menu.
- If you can’t find “Netflix,” download it from the App Store. Go to the main menu, select “App Store,” and search for “Netflix.”
- Sign up to you ‘Netflix’ account if you don’t have one already.
- Now sign in and enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies on your Apple 2 or 3.
Note: There is limited app support for Apple TV 2 and 3, so you may be unable to access all the features available on newer Apple TV models.
To use Netflix on Apple TV 1, you must take another step and make the Netflix app Apple-compatible. For this purpose, you may go to the Wondershare converter and follow the steps there. Do not worry. It doesn’t take more than 5 minutes to do so.
How to connect a Netflix account to your Apple TV
There is nothing complex in connecting your Apple TV to your Netflix account. Follow these steps precisely to do it successfully.
- Download and install the Apple TV app Netflix.
- Now, go to the main menu and hunt for the Netflix application.
- Launch it and go to the sign-in option.
- Here, you can add the credentials you got at the subscription time to the Netflix account.
- Now, select your target profile.
- Go to the search bar and type the title you want to stream.
- Select it and click on play.
Is Netflix available on Apple TV in all regions?
You can watch Netflix on Apple TV in all regions of the globe!
Although Netflix provides its services in 190+ countries, you may use a VPN to get to it if you live in any region where it is not permissible.
For example, in China, you cannot access any Netflix library. So, you need to use a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN to get over the geo-bans. Moreover, since Netflix has also geo-restricted most of its content, you can get to your favourite movie titles by linking to foreign VPN servers.
The countries which have blocked Netflix streaming are China, Syria, Crimea, North Korea, etc.
Guide to getting Netflix subtitles on Apple TV
You do not need to go into the additional settings page or anywhere complex to get the subtitles and alternate audio on Netflix on Apple TV. Here is how you do it:
- Go to the main menu, hunt for the Netflix app, and launch it.
- Search for your favourite title and play it.
- Now, during streaming, reach the subtitles and preferences by pressing the centre button of the remote.
- Select your preferred audio and subtitles from the options available.
Note that by default, the subtitles and captions are displayed in the lower areas of the screen. However, you may also adjust it by customizing the placement of the subtitles. Move the caption header, and play the show for at least five minutes after you are done placing it in your preferred location.
You may change the appearance of subtitles by signing in to your Netflix account and changing the caption from the profile sections.
Troubleshooting Netflix on Apple TV: Fixes
It is fine if you face any difficulties while streaming Netflix on AppleTV. It is a technology, and there can be some discrepancies that are easily manageable. Here are the most common issues users face for Netflix Apple TV.
Turn off Apple TV and turn it on again
Seems funny, right? By the way, this conventional method always solves most of the issues suddenly occurring on your Apple TV. Here is how you will do it:
- Unplug your Apple TV device and TV
- Leave them unplugged for a short time
- Plug them back
- Turn them on and try Netflix again
Check your Wi-Fi or network connection
If restarting does not help, you need to check your Internet connection to see if it is working fine. If you are using an Ethernet cable for your Apple TV, the problem can be either in the wired network or in your Wi-Fi connection. Here is how you manage it:
- Go to your Apple TV home screen
- Click on Settings then Network
- Check to see if it says ‘Connected’ under Connections
Update your Apple TV operating system
Sometimes if you delay downloading the available updates on Apple TV, it will slow the whole system, especially the media platforms like Netflix. Here is how you do it:
- Go to the main menu and hover over Settings.
- Select System and look for “Software Updates“.
- Select “download and install” to proceed.
Delete and reinstall your Netflix app
If, after trying the above three methods, your Netflix is still not working, there might be an issue in the Netflix app. There can be many caches or even bugs that will be cleared after reinstalling the app. Here is how you do it:
- Go to the main menu and select the Netflix app.
- You need to press and hold the Touchpad’s centre (shaking in the Netflix icon will happen).
- Select the play/pause option.
- Now, go to Delete and click on it.
- It’s time to reinstall the Netflix app. For this purpose, navigate to the Apple TV app store.
- Search for the Netflix app in the search bar, and install the Apple TV app Netflix.
- Launch the app and log in with your credentials.
- Select your profile, try streaming any movie title, and see if it works now.
Is Netflix still not working on Apple TV? Netflix might be down
Netflix may also go down, and you can do nothing about it. So, just take your snack, relax for half an hour, and see if it is working again. You may check the status on the Netflix website.
Conclusion
You see, streaming Netflix on Apple TV is straightforward. Also, you need to connect your device to the VPN if you want to stream Netflix on Apple TV safely and access all the geo-blocked content. We recommend using ExpressVPN as it has the best unblocking capability, security and speed for Netflix Apple TV.
In case you have any questions in mind, you may comment below. We would be happy to help.
FAQs
Though Apple TV has a plethora of media shows and movies, having a Netflix account works as the icing on the cake. Netflix provides you access to more than 17000 titles globally with a premium 4k quality resolution. So, with Netflix, your Apple TV becomes the ultimate device to binge on your favourite movie in one click.
To quickly fix the irritating Netflix delays, go to the Home icon with your Apple TV remote and double-tap it. Now, you have the option of App Switcher. Use the Touchpad to swipe on it and quit the Netflix app. Now, reach out to Netflix from the main menu and launch it.
Doing this will help you quickly unfreeze Netflix.
You can watch Netflix on multiple internet-connected devices. These include:
1. Streaming Media Players
2. Almost all Apple devices (Mac, iPhone)
3. Non-smart TV
4. Smart TV
5. Laptops
6. PC
7. Smartphones
8. Gaming Consoles (PS3, PS4)
9. Blu-ray Player
10. Set-top Boxes
You can use the option of media casting to watch Netflix on Apple TV. Here is how you do it:
1. On your iPad, launch the Netflix app.
2. Enter your login information.
3. Once signed in, click the Cast icon in the screen’s upper or lower right.
4. Choose the target device.
5. Select the show title and press the Play button.
Yes, you can always shuffle from the Netflix membership and go to the premium membership offering 4K resolution. Note that payment plans also vary with the type of membership you choose.
If you cannot see your Netflix app on Apple TV, here is how you can unhide it:
1. Go to the Apple TV app store.
2. At the top of your screen, you will see the account button or initials, or your photo. Tap it.
3. Select your Apple ID or name.
4. Now, scroll down and go to Hidden Purchases.
5. Locate Netflix, then hit Unhide.
6. Now, return to the App Store. Go to Account Settings and then click Done.
That is how you uninstall Netflix from your Apple TV:
1. From the Apple TV main menu, go to the Netflix App and launch it.
2. Hold down the Touchpad until the Netflix app begins to shake.
3. Press the Play/Pause button.
4. Select the Delete option.