Netflix Confirms its iPad App Won’t Be Going to the Mac

Apple has recently allowed iPad apps to run on Mac computers by rolling out Catalyst, a technology that transitions iPad apps into Mac versions. However, some major app developers, including Netflix, have so far shown a lack of interest in bringing their iOS apps to the Mac.

In fact, Netflix has today confirmed in a statement to Bloomberg that it will not be launching a Catalyst app for macOS any time soon (via The Verge).

Currently, Netflix can only be accessed on Mac computers through a web browser. And even though Netflix is one of the most popular free iPad apps on the entire platform, the streaming video giant does not want to port it for macOS.

As Bloomberg points out, at Catalina’s launch on October 7th, there were only 20 ported iPad apps available on the Mac App Store. This is mainly because some developers say deploying an iOS app across macOS is way more work than expected.



For example, Gameloft’s Asphalt 9, shown on stage at WWDC back in March as being ported to the Mac, has been “slightly delayed” in order to “polish the experience” reports Bloomberg, and will release later this year.

“As a user, I don’t want to pay again just to have the same app,” said longtime Apple developer Steven Troughton-Smith. “As a developer, I don’t want my users to have to make that decision.”

Apple says a number of iPad apps are launching on the Mac this week, with more coming in the near future.