How do I play Netflix audio-only on Android?

Netflix recently rolled out an audio-only playback mode for Android users, allowing them to listen to shows and movies without video. This mode only plays the audio track and turns off the video feed, similar to a podcast experience. It can help save battery life and mobile data usage. The audio-only mode is ideal for times when you want to listen to Netflix like you would music or a podcast, such as while working out, commuting, cooking, or doing chores. It allows multi-tasking or gives a screen break while still enjoying Netflix audio content. This guide will cover how to enable and use the audio-only mode in the Netflix app on Android.

Prerequisites

You’ll need an Android phone or tablet with the latest OS version installed to use the audio-only Netflix playback feature. As of October 2023, the latest version of Android is 14 (Android 14). Older versions like Android 12 and Android 13 should also work.

To check your Android version, go to Settings > About Phone/Tablet and look for Android Version or Android OS Version. You can also check for any available OS updates in Settings > System > Advanced > System Update. Keep your device updated to take advantage of the latest features.

Enable Audio-only Playback

To enable the audio-only playback option in the Netflix app, simply follow these steps:

1. Open the Netflix app on your Android device.

2. Tap on the profile icon in the bottom right corner to open the side menu.

3. Scroll down and tap “App Settings”.

4. Under “Video Playback”, toggle on the “Audio Only” option.

According to PCMag, this feature allows you to turn audio-only playback on or off permanently in the Netflix app.

Once enabled, you can start listening to Netflix without the video whenever you want. The audio-only playback feature is now available for all Netflix subscribers using Android devices.

Start Audio-only Playback

To start audio-only playback of Netflix on your Android device, first open the Netflix app and begin playing a title. Tap anywhere on the screen to bring up the playback controls. Select the “Audio & Subtitles” button, then choose the “Audio” option from the menu. This will turn off the video and leave only the audio track playing.

According to Reddit users, you can also start audio-only playback by first opening the video fullscreen. Then turn off your device’s screen by pressing the power button. The video will stop but the audio will keep playing in the background. Press the power button again to turn the screen back on and you’ll see the playback controls over a black background.

Adjust Audio Settings

The Netflix app provides several audio settings you can customize for the best listening experience. This includes options for language, subtitles, and audio descriptions.

To adjust language settings, tap the speech bubble icon while playing a title. Here you can select the language for audio and subtitles. Netflix offers multiple language options for many of its titles.

For those with visual impairments, Netflix offers audio descriptions that narrate scene details. To enable this, tap the speech bubble icon, then select Audio & Subtitles > Audio Description. The audio track will now include narration of key visual elements.

You can also adjust subtitle appearance and delay. Tap Subtitle Appearance to customize text size, color, and background. Use the Subtitle Delay setting if the subtitles are out of sync with the dialogue. This allows fine tuning adjustments.

Finally, in the app’s settings you can set a default subtitle language. This ensures your preferred subtitles play automatically on new titles. Tap App Settings > Subtitle Language and choose from the available languages.

Adjusting these audio and subtitle options ensures Netflix provides the best experience based on your individual listening needs and preferences.

Use Picture-in-Picture

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) allows you to watch Netflix video in a small window while doing other tasks on your Android device. The audio will continue playing even when the PiP window is not in focus. This is useful if you want to listen to Netflix audio while browsing apps or other content on your device.

To enable PiP on the Netflix app:^[1]

Make sure your Android device is running Android 8.0 Oreo or higher.

Open the Netflix app and start playing a video.
Tap the PiP icon in the top right corner – it looks like a small box inside a larger box.

This will pop-out the video into a small movable window. You can now multitask and listen to the Netflix audio while using other apps. Tap the PiP window to open the video back up in the Netflix app.

Listen with Screen Off

One way to save battery life while listening to Netflix audio-only is to turn your screen off. By keeping the screen on, your phone is using battery to power the display. Turning the screen off allows you to listen to the audio without draining as much battery.

To turn the screen off while listening:

Start playing a movie or show in the Netflix app.

Once it begins, press your phone’s power or lock button to turn the screen off.
The audio will keep playing even though the screen is black.
To pause or adjust playback, briefly turn the screen back on.

With the screen off, you can listen to hours of Netflix audio content without significant battery drain. Just be sure to periodically check that the app is still running smoothly in the background.

Download for Offline

One of the best features of the Netflix mobile app is the ability to download titles for offline listening. This allows you to listen to Netflix shows and movies without an internet connection. Here’s how to download Netflix audio content on Android:

Open the Netflix app and browse to the show or movie you want to download. Tap the download icon next to the title – it looks like a downward arrow. This will download that title to your device so you can listen offline.

You can find all your downloaded titles by tapping on the ‘Downloads’ tab in the app. Here you can manage your downloads, deleting ones you’ve finished listening to.

The amount of downloads you can store depends on your device storage. Netflix allows you to download up to 100 titles across 4 different devices. Downloads expire after 7 days, but you can always re-download if you want to continue listening offline.

Downloading for offline listening is a great way to continue enjoying Netflix during commutes, flights, or anytime you don’t have an internet connection. Just remember to download over WiFi before going offline.

Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing issues with audio when watching Netflix, here are some troubleshooting steps to try:

Restart your device – Simply restarting your Android device can often resolve temporary audio issues. Make sure to fully power down and restart.

Check your speaker connections – Make sure that any external speakers or headphones are properly plugged in. Try unplugging and reconnecting.

Check Netflix app audio settings – Open the Netflix app, go to More > App Settings > Audio and adjust the audio settings. Try toggling surround sound on/off.

Check Android audio settings – Go to Settings > Sound on your Android device and make sure nothing is muted and levels are set correctly.

Update device software and apps – Make sure you are running the latest software on your Android device and that the Netflix app is fully updated via the Play Store.

Force close Netflix app – From Android settings, find Netflix under Apps and select Force Stop. Then clear cache and data before reopening the app.

Check TV audio settings – If you are using a TV, check the audio settings and make sure the source input is correctly set for the device streaming Netflix.

Use alternate device – Try watching Netflix on another device to isolate the issue. If audio works properly on another phone or tablet, the issue is with your original device.

Contact Netflix support – If you are still unable to resolve audio problems after trying these steps, you may need to contact Netflix support for additional troubleshooting assistance.

Conclusion

Listening to Netflix audio-only provides several key benefits. By only streaming the audio, you can save data and battery life on your Android device [1]. Audio mode also enables multitasking, allowing you to listen while on the go, working out, cooking, and more. Hands-free listening while the screen is off creates a podcast-like experience. With background audio, you can keep up with your shows without having to be glued to the screen. Just remember to download titles beforehand if you plan to listen offline. Overall, audio-only playback unlocks flexibility, convenience, and accessibility. Give it a try to streamline your Netflix viewing.

[1] https://www.pcmag.com/news/you-can-now-experience-netflix-in-audio-only-mode-on-android-devices