Is It Illegal to Screen Record Netflix Like Movies

Jean updated on Jun 23, 2025 to Screen Recording Utility

Are you confused about whether is it illegal to screen record Netflix? Do not worry. This passage will tell you the answer and show you some reasons, and then it will give you a way to record streaming videos by providing detailed steps. Now you can read this passage.

As streaming video platforms rise, there are an increasing number of streaming videos, like Netflix movies, shows, Youtube videos, TikTok videos, and so on. Maybe some of you need to screen-record these videos you like. But before that, you may not know whether you can legally screen-record Netflix movies or other shows.

Therefore, this passage from EaseUS will give you a professional and right answer to fix your problem. Now you can read this passage to find the right answer for yourself. And then, you can follow a given method to legally screen-record your Netflix videos like movies or shows.

Is It Illegal to Screen Record From Netflix

First of all, here is a post from the forum platform Quora for you. You can read it.

"Hello, everyone. I have been confused by a question: Is recording a Netflix video like a movie legal? Can anyone help me? Your answer is very important to me. Thanks in advance."

Most people may encounter the above same question from Quora, and they do not make sure that this practice is legal or illegal. In an effort to stop digital piracy, the US Protection of Lawful Streaming Act of 2020 recently made illegal streaming a felony. But do the same rules apply to screen recording? The short answer is: No, it is not illegal, but it is against Netflix's privacy policy and service. For a longer answer, you can read on.

Actually, the answer is not absolute but relative. It depends on the different situations. According to Section 107 of the Copyright Act, you are allowed to screen-record and view copyrighted movies and television programs for personal and non-commercial use. Therefore, you are allowed to capture these Netflix video files as long as you don't distribute and sell them in the public domain.

In a word, if you record the videos from Netflix for personal use, then it is legal; Instead, if you want to use the recorded videos for selling, public distribution, or other commercial purposes, it is illegal, and you are not allowed to do that.

You may be interested in the following link:

Why Does Netflix Not Let You Screen Record

After learning about the question of whether you are allowed to screen-record Netflix videos like movies, you may want to know why Netflix does not let you record. There are some reasons for you, and you can learn about them as follows.

  • First, as screen recording is a form of piracy naturally, it is illegal; Therefore, Netflix is not willing to be held legally liable for users who illegally distribute their video content.
  • Second, users save copyrighted video content without Netflix's permission, which is also a form of piracy. So another reason Netflix doesn't allow screen recording is to protect its video content from being shared by unauthorized users.
  • Finally, allowing users to record screens would make watching pirated content easier, and Netflix would risk losing revenue from potential users.

For the above reasons, Netflix does not allow users to screen-record its content. As mentioned above, usually, you are not allowed to screen-record Netflix videos like movies because this practice has broken Netflix's privacy protection regulations. But how do you screen record Netflix on PC, Mac, iPhone, and Android if you want to use them personally? The next part will show you a helpful method.

How to Screen Record Netflix Legally

This part will provide you with a method to screen-record Netflix legally. You can read on.

In some cases, when you screen-record Netflix videos with a screen recorder, you will get a black screen with the audio. Therefore, in order to avoid this situation, it is suggested that you can rely on third-party software: EaseUS RecExperts. It is a perfect audio and video recorder for users without a watermark and time limit, especially for beginners. This tool can be compatible with Windows and Mac computers. Therefore, you can consider this software to help you record Netflix videos.

Here are some detailed steps that you can follow them.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS RecExperts and select Full Screen as your recording mode. This ensures smooth capture of streaming movies, online shows, or live video content without missing any detail.

Step 2. Choose whether to record the Webcam, System Sound, or Microphone based on your needs. Then, open the streaming platform you want to record from, such as YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, or Vimeo.

Step 3. Enable the Black Screen Fix feature to bypass content protection. Once it's turned on, the REC button will change to purple. Navigate back to your streaming video, then click the purple REC button to start capturing.

Step 4. After a 3-second countdown, the recording will begin. A floating taskbar will appear on your screen. Use the toolbar to pause or stop the recording anytime during playback.

Step 5. Once the recording ends, you'll be taken to the preview window. Here, you can watch, trim, or edit your captured video, ideal for reviewing HD content, saving movie highlights, or sharing clips from your favorite streaming services.

After following the above steps, it is believed that you can screen-record Netflix videos like movies or shows successfully. Actually, besides the above function, the EaseUS RecExperts can also provide some other features for users, and you can read as follows:

In addition to recording audio or streaming video from Netflix and Youtube, this software also supports some other platforms, such as Spotify, TikTok, Disney, Vimeo, Hulu, and so on. Therefore, if you want to record some videos for personal use, it is believed that the EaseUS RecExperts is a perfect choice for you.

Conclusion

In a word, after reading this passage, you are believed to have a better understanding of the question of whether it is illegal to screen-record Netflix and the reason why Netflix does not let users screen-record. Furthermore, you can follow the above method to help yourself record the videos you like.

You can share this passage on your social media to let more people in need learn about the information about screen recording from Netflix.

 

Is It Illegal to Screen Record Netflix FAQs

You can check the frequently asked questions related to this topic below if you have further questions about this topic.

1. What does Netflix use to avoid screen recording?

Netflix prevents users from taking screenshots or screen recording by using digital rights management (DRM). DRM is a method of protecting copyrighted material from being copied by digital platforms. However, you can adjust the image Settings to bypass DRM security.

2. Is it legal to download Netflix movies?

It's perfectly legal to download videos through the official app, so there's no question about it. You only need a valid subscription to log in. Please note that depending on your subscription plan, you can download up to 1, 2, or 4 devices.

3. Can I screen-record Netflix on my phone?

Netflix doesn't offer the ability to screen-record movies or TV shows natively. You can screen-record Netflix using a third-party screen recorder like EaseUS RecExperts, which helps you quickly and easily capture what you need on the service.