Netflix has released version 5.0 of the Netflix app for iPhone and iPad. The update adds HD picture quality and a built-in Airplay button, allowing you to wirelessly push video to the TV screen.

HD and Airplay in Netflix's iOS app
Netflix began updating its mobile apps with HD support this summer. The first update rolled out to Android 4.3 devices, and HD picture quality has now been added to the iOS app for iPhone, iPod and iPad. HD playback requires iOS7.


The update also adds an Airplay button in the lower right corner, allowing you to wirelessly push video to the TV screen via the Apple TV box. Airplay has worked in the Netflix app in the past, but it had to be activated outside the app. In addition, the update brings improvements to stability and “playback optimizations”, says Netflix.

Netflix has not said if "HD playback" means 1080p or 720p, but Netflix usually refers to 1080p when they say HD (see update in the comment section). The streaming service seems to have started an initiative to move more devices to HD, and just last week they made the   Super HD tier available to everyone. Netflix has previously said that they encode each movie and TV show in 120 versions, containing different combinations of resolution, bit rate and codec format, to support all devices.

The updated app can be found here.