Once the download starts, you can cancel it. Netflix is now linked to your account.
If you have never downloaded Netflix with your current Apple ID, the cloud icon won't appear. You cannot "buy" it for the first time on a device running iOS 12.5.5. To fix this, you need a "proxy" device: netflix ios 12.5 5 download
If you are holding onto an older iPhone or iPad running iOS 12.5.5, you have likely run into a frustrating wall: the App Store says Netflix is no longer compatible. This happens because the current version of the Netflix app requires iOS 15.0 or later. Once the download starts, you can cancel it
The most reliable way to download Netflix on an older version of iOS is to trigger the "Download an older version of this app" prompt. This only works if Netflix is already in your Apple ID purchase history. Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad. You cannot "buy" it for the first time