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Trinidad Baltzell

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Aug 2, 2024, 8:11:42 AM8/2/24

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The instructions below are legacy instructions for running Silverlight on Linux via Wine.However, running Netflix is entirely possible in Ubuntu Linux 12.04 and later releases (and most likely any other modern distribution). See the section below "Running with Wine".

This is because they use Microsoft Silverlight plugin with DRM. Although there is a Linux alternative to Silverlight called Moonlight, it does not have any DRM built in and it is unlikely Moonlight will implement a DRM option. Netflix has stated they will not use anything without DRM. So if Netflix continues to use Silverlight, then there will be no official Linux support.

If you don't like it, complain to Netflix, not us. Their phone number is 1-866-716-0414 or you could sign the petition to add Linux support to Netflix. Petition to add Netflix "Watch Now" feature for Linux. Calling Netflix and signing the petition both is the best plan as the numerous times I've called has resulted in the call center person telling me that "...the more people who call and request linux as an option is noted by Netflix".

Depending on each individual system's configuration and hardware, video quality may vary. The steps for installing or running Netflix with Wine listed below this line may be old or out-dated. (11/25/2012) -for-netflix-desktop-app.html

It is also possible to run Netflix under Wine with a couple of extra patches to the latest source code tree. Hopefully these patches will be included into Wine in the near future so that custom-compiling Wine is no longer necessary.

Using a virtual machine is a non-ideal solution, but it works. But if you have a Win-XP CD lying around its not so bad. Just think of it as running a really inefficient video player program, instead of a really backwards workaround.

Install Chrome version 37 or higher (currently the stable version). Launch Chrome, sign in to your Google account (if you have one), log in to Netflix, and streaming should be working. If not, make sure your system is fully up to date. In particular, you need a recent version of libnss3.

At one time, accessing Netflix on Linux was difficult. A specific version of Google Chrome was needed, complete with Encrypted Media Extension (EME) support. Chrome additionally required a specific version of Mozilla Network Security Services and a User Agent Switcher extension. (Changing the User Agent is a method of tricking a website that you're using a different operating system or browser).

Today, all you need to do is open netflix.com in Google Chrome and log into your account. Within seconds you'll be able to seamlessly watch Netflix content. Additionally, you have the option to turn Netflix into a Desktop Application via Google Chrome's Web-App tools (see below).

No additional software or plugins are available for Chrome to stream Netflix videos. Simply visit the site as explained above and enjoy. Other Chromium-based browsers should also work, but your mileage may vary.

If Google Chrome isn't to your taste, rely on it as a backup when your preferred browser won't play Netflix. Usually this is only a short-term hiccup that can be fixed a day or so later with a new update.

But if you need to access a Netflix library from another country (such as Netflix US), you will need a VPN. A virtual private network that supports Netflix lets you fool the website as to your whereabouts. So, if you're in France, select a VPN server in the USA to access Netflix's US library.

At one point you could install an app for Netflix. This unofficial tool was in reality a Windows app and came bundled with Wine. This no longer works, but you can create a Desktop Application on Linux using Chrome's "Add to desktop" feature.

Another way you can watch Netflix on your Linux PC is via the Kodi media center software. This comes with some limitations, however---there is currently no support for 4K streaming. You'll be limited instead to a maximum of 1080p.

If you have Kodi installed you can use an unofficial Netflix add-on to access your account. Note that this requires providing your account credentials to a third-party app---another good reason to be using a VPN.