Netflix for Android Now Available in the Android Market

It's been a long time coming, but Netflix finally took the wraps off of its long-awaited Android app yesterday. Netflix for Android is up in the Android App Market, and it's completely free. The catch is that you'll need both a Netflix account and a supported phone to use the app. If you have a supported phone, you can log in to your Netflix account, access your instant queue, and stream right to your Android phone.

Currently the Netflix Android app only supports the HTC Droid Incredible (Verizon Wireless,) the Nexus One (T-Mobile,) the Evo 4G (Sprint,) the HTC G2 (T-Mobile,) and the Nexus S (Sprint,) but Netflix plans to roll out the device to additional carriers and devices soon.

If you're already a fan of Netflix streaming video, getting Netflix on your phone is a no-brainer. The only real question is whether or not your phone is supported, and odds are it isn't. If it is though, you can use the app to stream anything in the Netflix Instant catalog directly to your phone over Wi-Fi, 3G, and 4G. You can pause what you're watching and pick up on your television or computer, watch as often as you like (as long as you're mindful of your carrier or plan's data caps,) and manage your Instant Queue from your phone.

You won't be able to manage your DVD queue through the Netflix app, but that's not a big surprise considering the same feature has been removed from Netflix streaming on game consoles. You can, however, quickly search and browse the Netflix Instant catalog for something new to watch.

The only real limiting factor on the app at the moment is the number of supported devices. Netflix says they're planning to roll the app out to more devices in the near future, but that hasn't stopped a number of Android owners from rooting their phones, tweaking some settings, and installing the app on their phones anyway. Still, it's just a matter of time before Netflix lets everyone into the pool, but if your phone is one of the supported ones, your time is now.

About Our Expert

Alan Henry

Managing Editor, Security

My Experience

I've been writing and editing stories for almost two decades that help people use technology and productivity techniques to work better, live better, and protect their privacy and personal data. As managing editor of PCMag's security team, it's my responsibility to ensure that our product advice is evidence-based, lab-tested, and serves our readers.

I've been a technology journalist for close to 20 years, and I got my start freelancing here at PCMag before beginning a career that would lead me to become editor-in-chief of Lifehacker, a senior editor at The New York Times, and director of special projects at WIRED. I'm back at PCMag to lead our security team and renew my commitment to service journalism. I'm the author of Seen, Heard, and Paid: The New Work Rules for the Marginalized, a career and productivity book to help people of marginalized groups succeed in the workplace.

The Technology I Use

I'm writing this on a computer I built myself. It's powered by an Intel Core i7 with 32GB of RAM, 2TB of storage, and a disturbingly anime-themed NVIDIA GeForce 3070 inside (look, it was on sale). It's connected to a beautiful LG 34-inch ultrawide monitor on my left that I use for gaming (and spreadsheets) and an LG 27-inch 4K monitor in portrait mode on my right that I use for browsing, editing, and reading. Connect all of that to a Logitech Streamcam, an Elgato capture card, an Elgato Stream Deck, and an Elgato Wave:3 using the WaveLink software for mixing, and you might have figured out that I'm also a streamer.

When I'm not at my desk, I usually use a Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, which is a little heavy for my tastes but incredible as a combination of laptop and tablet that I can use to work and game when I'm traveling. My IT-issued Lenovo Thinkpad is lovely and light, but it's on standby should I need it. My current phone is a Pixel 6 Pro.

I used to be more of an Apple person. These days, I have an iPad Air for art and easy reading and an old MacBook Pro that used to be my daily driver before the Surface entered my life.

I use Firefox for browsing, and keep a cadre of privacy tools installed to minimize my data footprint. I use Proton products both for VPN and secure email, and I trust Bitdefender and MalwareBytes to keep my data safe from harm.

A handful of Sonos speakers power the audio around my home when I'm not wearing headphones. Speaking of which, I have a collection of both wired and wireless headphones, but my daily wear is a set of Sennheiser HD6XXs that I adore. On the go, I resort to a pair of Beats Studio Buds for the true wireless experience (with a set of Comply eartips, for comfort).

If you're a gamer, ask me about my relationship with Destiny 2.

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