Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more.
You’ll be able to listen to Netflix videos like podcasts (Updated: Rolling out)
July 19, 2025
Update: August 04, 2025 (5:16 AM ET):We first got word viaXDA-Developersthat Netflix was working on an audio-only mode in its Android app. Now, the streaming giant has started rolling out this feature via a server-side update (h/t:Android Police).
As you might expect, this feature lets you turn off the video stream so you have audio-only playback. Netflix notes that this saves data and allows you to listen to content while your device is locked. This could be quite handy for stand-up comedy, some documentaries, and other types of content that aren’t as reliant on video.
Don’t be alarmed if you don’t have audio-only playback on your app yet, as it looks like Netflix is doing a gradual release. So you might want to check again in a few days.
Original article: June 03, 2025 (7:37 AM ET):Netflixmight soon get a feature for all those who fall asleep listening to their favorite TV shows and movies. I know I snooze toNetflix documentariesand reality shows almost every second day, just like many do while listening to podcasts.
Folks over atXDA Developershave discovered evidence of a new audio-only mode in an APK teardown of the Netflix Android app. The string of codeXDAfound in version 7.79.1 of the Netflix app clearly refers to a feature that lets you turn off the video and only listen to the content. It’s like playing YouTube or podcasts in the background.
If you have an iPhone, you can already listen to Netflix in the background without the video. All you need to do is play the content you want to hear on Netflix, lock your phone’s screen, and press play from the Control Center. However, a dedicated audio-only feature on Netflix could also help save data.
Even with the iPhone trick, the app still calls for the video in the background, so you’re using as much data as you normally would. A standalone audio-only feature will possibly solve that problem and use only as much data as is needed to pull the audio.
Netflix hasn’t officially announced anything about this supposed audio-only feature, so don’t get your hopes up just yet. We’ll have to wait and see if the company rolls it out or not.
Also read:The best Netflix movies and TV shows you can stream right now
Thank you for being part of our community. Read ourComment Policybefore posting.
