Netflix has become a global phenomenon, offering a vast library of movies, TV shows, and original content.
While smart TVs come with the Netflix app pre-installed, you don’t need to upgrade your TV to enjoy your favorite shows.
This article will guide you through various ways to get Netflix up and running on your non-smart TV.
Can you get Netflix on a Non-Smart TV without Connecting an External Device?
Unfortunately, there is no way to watch Netflix on a regular non-smart TV without connecting other devices to it.
Since it is an online streaming service, you cannot watch Netflix without internet access.
Non-Smart TVs don’t have any internet features at all on their own, and will need another device to run the Netflix app and connect to the internet.
Your non-smart TV is just a display for whatever device you’ll be using in the end.
Convert your Non-Smart TV to a Smart TV
Fortunately, there are a lot of devices you can use to watch Netflix on your TV.
You have four realistic options to watch Netflix on a non-smart TV, all of which require an external device to convert your Normal TV into a Smart TV.
- You will need a streaming device.
- Some cable boxes also have Netflix.
- You can also use your laptop or smartphone.
- Gaming consoles also work.
Once you connect any of these devices, you can launch the app on it and watch Netflix content even on an old Panasonic TV, or any other brand for that matter.
Streaming Devices Are Your Best Choice
The best way to watch streaming services on a non-smart TV is to get a streaming device..
They are not just the cheaper option, but also have all the features you would ever need from a streaming device like a large library of apps, voice assistant capabilities and high quality streaming.
You can almost call them a Netflix box for your non-smart TV, but they do a lot more, and work with many more streaming services.
These are some of the streaming devices that I would recommend:
1) Apple TV
If you are already in the Apple ecosystem, Apple TV is a great choice because it integrates well with your other Apple devices, and natively supports AirDrop and Siri integration.
It is only sold in the 4K variant now, and there used to be a 1080p variant that is now no longer being sold.
You can find and install the Netflix app from the App Store and log in with your Netflix account to start watching.
2) Roku
Roku is another market leader in the streaming device space, and it works similarly to the other devices on this list.
But what sets it apart from the other devices in this list is that it has over 3,000 free channels you can download and watch.
What makes it better is that the Roku Express is arguably the cheapest device you can buy to get Netflix on a TV.
Here’s what Roku’s product lineup looks like:
| Device | Pricing |
| Express | $30 |
| Express 4K | $35 |
| Express 4K+ | $40 |
| Streaming Stick 4K | $42 |
| Streaming Stick 4K+ | $70 |
| Ultra LT | $60 |
| Ultra | $100 |
Once you have your Roku, set it up and go to your channels.
Netflix comes preinstalled on Roku devices, so launch the channel and log in with your Netflix account to get the service.
If the Netflix app isn’t working on your Roku for some reason, reset the app and try again.
3) Chromecast
Google’s Chromecast devices are another great choice, and they come in two variants.
The regular Chromecast doesn’t run an operating system like the other devices we’ve talked about, and casts whatever it is on your phone to your TV.
Chomecast with Google TV on the other hand runs Google TV, and works like a smart TV that is running Google TV.
This means that you can install the Netflix app on it, unlike the regular Chromecast where you’ll need to play Netflix on a phone and then cast that to your TV.
If you have a regular Chromecast, set it up and play something on the Netflix app on your phone.
While it is playing, tap the Cast icon in the player controls and select the Chromecast.
If you went for Chromecast with Google TV, go to the Google Play Store in the device and install the Netflix app.
4) Amazon Fire Stick
The Amazon Fire Stick is Amazon’s own streaming device which works just like a Roku or a Chromecast.
The Fire Stick offers better streaming and audio quality compared to the other devices on this list, and as a result, their lineup is a little bit more expensive than the rest.
There are the various Fire Stick models on offer:
| Fire TV Model | Pricing |
| Fire TV Stick | $40 |
| Fire TV Stick Lite | $30 |
| Fire TV Stick 4K | $50 |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max | $55 |
Netflix comes preinstalled on all Fire TV Sticks, so launch the Netflix app and log in with your Netflix account to start watching.
Have Cable? Get Netflix On Your Cable Box
The cable boxes from most of the leading cable providers these days let you watch Netflix and other streaming services on them.
You can even watch Netflix even without cable, but this is a great choice if you already have a cable connection and are using it with a non-smart TV.
1) Xfinity X1
Netflix is available on some select Xfinity X1 boxes where you can install the app and use your own account to watch content in Ultra HD.
You can check out Netflix’s list of compatible X1 devices on their website.
If your X1 cable box is in this list, you can install Netflix by going to apps and then installing the app.
After you do this, log in to your Netflix app to start enjoying the service’s content.
If the Netflix app isn’t working on your Xfinity box, refresh the app and try again.
2) Fios TV
Some Fios TV set top boxes also have support for Netflix.
Check out Netflix’s list of compatible Fios TV set top boxes and see if you’re included.
If you do see your model there, and it is not a Stream TV model, go to channel 838 on the box and open the Netflix app.
Sign in with your account to start watching.
If it is a Stream TV model, go to the Apps menu, launch Netflix and sign in to your account.
3) Spectrum TV
The only box from Spectrum that supports Netflix is the Worldbox 2.0.
If you do have one of these, follow these steps to get Netflix:
- Click on the menu button on your remote
- Select ‘Apps’
- Go to Netflix and press OK.
- Use your Netflix credentials to sign in, and you are all set
You can also access Netflix by going to channel 2001 or 1002.
4) DIRECTV
Netflix is only on DIRECTV Stream and DIRECTV Gemini devices, so if you have one, you can get Netflix on it.
To get Netflix on your DIRECTV Stream or Gemini:
- Press the Home key on the remote.
- Go to the apps section and select the Netflix app.
- Sign in with your Netflix account.
You can also go to channel 192 and sign in with your Netflix account there.
5) Dish
Quite a few DISH set-top boxes have support for Netflix, including the Hopper and Joey models.
Some models also have support for 4K UHD and HDR streaming.
You can find a full list of compatible devices from Netflix on their website.
To get Netflix on your Dish receiver:
- Press the menu button and go to Apps. You can also press the blue key on the remote to open your apps.
- Highlight and select Apps.
- Sign in with your Netflix account.
You Are Not Limited To Streaming Devices ?
You are not limited to streaming devices or TV boxes, though, and you can even use your phone, laptop or gaming console to watch Netflix on a non-smart TV.
1) Laptop or Desktop PC
If you have a computer, you can connect it to your TV using an HDMI cable.
The TV should have an HDMI input port, while the laptop should have HDMI-Out, which most models do.
Grab an HDMI cable and connect your laptop to your TV using the cable.
Switch to the HDMI port that you have the computer connected to on your TV, and launch Netflix through the app or through a web browser.
Log in with your Netflix account to start watching.
2) Smartphone
If your phone has a USB-C port, you can connect your TV to your phone through a USB-C to HDMI adapter.
You won’t be able to cast wirelessly to a regular TV from your phone since that TV cannot connect to your Wi-Fi, which is a prerequisite for casting.
I can recommend the AmazonBasics USB-C To HDMI Adapter since it supports 4K resolutions at 60 Hz.
Connect the USB-C end to your phone, and the HDMI cable to your TV, and switch your TV to the HDMI port you have the cable connected to.
Start playing something on your phone to get Netflix on your non-smart TV.
3) Xbox and PlayStation Consoles
Both consoles have a Netflix app on their app stores, and once you download them to your console, you can watch Netflix on your non-smart TV.
After you install the app, either from the Xbox Store on Xbox or the Media Apps section of your PlayStation, launch the app.
Log in with your Netflix app to start watching content from the service.
FAQs
Q: How to watch Netflix on my phone without the app?
If you want to watch Netflix on your phone without the app, go to the Netflix website on Google Chrome.
When the page tells you to download the app on Chrome, tap the three dots on the top right of the app and turn on Desktop Site.
Sign in with your account and select a title to start watching.
Q: How much does a Netflix Subscription Cost?
The standard monthly rates for different Netflix plans are –
- Basic With Ads: $7
- Basic: $10
- Standard: $15.50
- Premium: $20
Q: Do I need a satellite dish for Netflix?
You will need an internet connection to access Netflix, irrespective of which solution you choose for streaming.
A satellite dish is not required for this, and internet access is usually delivered through fiber or cable connections.