Before we begin, make sure you have the following:
If you are looking for an IPA file to sideload Netflix onto a device running iOS 5.1.1, I can save you the time:
Even if you find a legitimate IPA for (one of the last iOS 5.1.1-compatible versions), the app will likely fail at login. When you enter your email and password, Netflix’s servers will check the app’s “user-agent” and API version. An app from 2014 will be rejected as insecure or too old.
Launch Sideloadly on your computer. It should automatically detect your connected iPhone or iPad.
Delete the app, reboot your device, and try re-signing the IPA with a different Apple ID or a different sideloading tool. If jailbroken, double-check that AppSync Unified is active. Conclusion
When dealing with Netflix on iOS 5.1.1, you face two distinct hurdles:
Installing Netflix on iOS 5.1.1 devices generally requires using the "Purchased" tab on the App Store to download the last compatible version (v4.3.1). For devices where this fails, users may need to jailbreak and manually sideload the IPA file using tools like Sideloadly and AppSync Unified. For a collection of compatible apps, visit Internet Archive
Do you still have a working iOS 5.1.1 device? Share your story in the comments below. Have you found a Netflix IPA that actually streams? Let us know – but bring proof.