How to Watch ABC iview and Netflix on an iPad in Australia
An iPad makes a lovely little television. You can watch the news in bed, catch up on a show in the kitchen, or keep yourself company on a quiet afternoon, all on a bright screen you can hold or prop up wherever you like. The shows live inside apps, and once you know how to add one, the rest is easy.
Here is how to get ABC iview, Netflix and the other popular services onto an iPad, and a few tips to make watching comfortable. For the wider view, our guide to the best tablets for seniors in Australia compares the main options.
Quick answer
Open the App Store on your iPad, search for the service you want, such as ABC iview or Netflix, and tap Get to download the free app. Open it, then either sign in or register. ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 play are free to watch. Netflix, Disney+, Stan, Prime Video and Binge need a paid subscription. Connect to Wi-Fi before you start, so you are not using up mobile data.
Free or paid: what is on offer in Australia
It helps to know which services cost nothing and which need a subscription. The free ones are genuinely free. ABC iview carries ABC programmes and the news, with no ads at all. SBS On Demand has SBS and NITV, with world films and documentaries. 7plus, 9Now and 10 play carry the commercial channels and their big catch-up libraries. The free Freeview app brings all the free-to-air channels together in one place. None of these need a card to watch.
The paid services charge a monthly fee, and prices change, so check the current cost before signing up. Netflix and Disney+ have the big international shows and films. Stan is Australian and good value. Binge carries premium drama. Prime Video comes with an Amazon Prime membership. Kayo Sports is the one for live sport. You can subscribe to one, several, or none, and you can cancel any time.
Step by step: add a streaming app
1. Open the App Store
Find the App Store on your iPad. Its icon is a blue circle with a white letter A made of brush strokes. This is the official, safe place to get apps, so you never need to look anywhere else.
2. Search for the service
Tap Search at the bottom, type the name, such as ABC iview or Netflix, and tap search on the keyboard. The app you want will be at the top. Check it is the genuine one, made by the real company, before you download.
3. Tap Get to download it
Tap the word Get next to the app. The app itself is free to download, even for the paid services, since you pay for the subscription separately. You may be asked for your Apple Account password, or to confirm with Face ID or a fingerprint. Wait a moment while it downloads, then you will see its icon appear on your home screen.
4. Open the app and sign in
Tap the new app to open it. For the free services, you simply register with an email address, or sometimes you can start watching straight away. For the paid ones, sign in if you already have an account, or sign up if you do not. After that, you just browse and tap whatever you fancy.
Tips for comfortable watching
A few small things make a big difference. Stay on Wi-Fi when you can, since streaming video uses a lot of data and mobile plans can run out quickly. If the sound is hard to follow, a pair of headphones or earbuds makes speech much clearer, and most services let you turn on subtitles in the settings of whatever you are watching.
If you would rather watch on the big screen, you can often send what is on the iPad to a smart TV in the same room. Our guides on watching Netflix or YouTube on a smart TV and the best streaming devices for seniors cover that side of things.
Good to remember
- Always get apps from the App Store, never from a link in an email or a website.
- ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 play are free. Netflix, Disney+, Stan and Binge are paid.
- Watch on Wi-Fi to avoid using up mobile data.
- Subtitles and headphones make dialogue much easier to follow.
Before you finish
Download the free Family Tech Safety Checklist to help check phone safety, passwords, scam messages, emergency contacts and medical alarm details.
FAQ: watching on an iPad
Is ABC iview really free?
Yes. ABC iview, SBS On Demand and the commercial catch-up apps (7plus, 9Now and 10 play) are free to watch. ABC iview has no ads at all; the others are supported by ads. You may register with an email address, but there is no subscription fee.
Do I pay to download the Netflix app?
No. The app is free to download. You only pay the monthly Netflix subscription, which is separate, and you can cancel it whenever you like.
Will watching use up my data?
It can, since video uses a lot. Watch on your home Wi-Fi where possible, and keep an eye on data if you are using a mobile connection.
The talking is hard to hear. Can I help that?
Yes. Turn on subtitles in the app you are watching, and use headphones or earbuds for clearer sound. Both make a real difference.
Can I watch what is on my iPad on the big TV?
Often, yes, if you have a smart TV or a streaming device on the same Wi-Fi. Our streaming guides explain how to send the picture across to the television.
