Download a film on Amazon Prime in three steps
Open the Amazon Prime Video app on your phone or tablet, find the film you want to watch offline, and tap the download icon next to the title — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow. The film will save to your device and you can watch it without an internet connection. On a computer or web browser, you cannot download films; the download feature only works on the mobile app.
The downloaded file takes up storage space on your device. A two-hour film typically uses 1 to 3 gigabytes depending on video quality. Check how much free space you have before downloading several films, especially on a phone.
Downloaded films expire after a set time — usually 30 days, though some titles have different limits. Amazon Prime will show you the expiration date when you download, and the film will automatically delete when that date passes. You can delete it yourself at any time to free up space.
Key Takeaways
- The download button appears only in the Amazon Prime Video app on phones and tablets, not in a web browser or on a computer.
- Downloaded films take up 1 to 3 gigabytes of storage per title, so check your device's free space before downloading multiple films.
- Most downloaded films expire and delete automatically after 30 days, though some titles have different expiration periods that Amazon Prime shows at download time.
- You can delete a downloaded film manually at any time to reclaim storage space, and the film will remain in your library to download again later.
Where to find the download button in the app
Open the Amazon Prime Video app and search for or browse to the film you want. On the film's detail page, look for a downward arrow icon below the title and the play button. Tap that arrow to start the download. The app will show a progress bar while the film downloads, and you can close the app or use your phone for other things while it finishes.
If you do not see a download icon, that film is not available for download. Some titles are restricted by the studio or distributor and can only be streamed. The absence of the icon means you will need an internet connection to watch that particular film.
Check your device storage before downloading
Go to your phone or tablet's settings and look at how much free storage space you have. On an iPhone, open Settings, tap General, then About, and look at the "Available" number. On an Android phone, open Settings, tap Storage or Device Care, and check the free space listed.
A single film download uses between 1 and 3 gigabytes. If you want to download five films, you should have at least 15 gigabytes free. If your device is running low on space, delete old photos, videos, or apps you no longer use, or download films one at a time and delete them after you watch.
Understand expiration dates and how to renew
When you tap the download button, Amazon Prime shows you how long the film will stay on your device before it automatically deletes. Most films expire after 30 days, but some titles have 48-hour windows or other timeframes. The expiration clock starts the moment you finish downloading, not when you start watching.
Once a film expires and deletes, you can download it again if you still have an active Amazon Prime membership. The film will not be gone from your library — you just need to download it a second time. If you know you want to keep a film longer, download it again before the expiration date passes, and the new download will have its own 30-day window.
Delete downloads to free up space
Open the Amazon Prime Video app and go to the Downloads section, usually found in the menu at the bottom of the screen. Find the film you want to remove and swipe left on it (iPhone) or long-press it (Android), then tap Delete or Remove. The film will disappear from your device immediately and free up storage space.
Deleting a download does not remove the film from your library or your account. You can download it again later whenever you want, as long as your membership is active. This is useful if you need space for other films or apps but think you might want to watch the title again in the future.
Troubleshoot downloads that won't start or finish
If a download stalls or fails to start, first check that you have a strong Wi-Fi connection — downloads work faster and more reliably on Wi-Fi than on mobile data. Close the Amazon Prime Video app completely and reopen it, then try downloading again. If the same film still will not download, try restarting your phone.
If a download keeps failing after a restart, that particular title may have a temporary issue on Amazon's servers. Wait a few hours and try again. If the problem persists, check whether your device has enough free storage space — a full or nearly full device can cause downloads to fail even if the app does not show a storage warning.
Know the limits of offline viewing
Downloaded films can only be watched in the Amazon Prime Video app on the device where you downloaded them. You cannot transfer a downloaded film to another phone, tablet, or computer. If you want to watch the same film on multiple devices, you must download it separately on each one.
Downloaded films are protected by digital rights management, which means they are encrypted and tied to your Amazon account. This protects the studio's copyright but also means you cannot copy or share the file with other people. The film will only play if you are signed into the account that downloaded it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download films on my computer or laptop?
No. The download feature only works in the Amazon Prime Video app on phones and tablets running iOS or Android. If you use Amazon Prime on a computer through a web browser, you can only stream films — you cannot download them for offline viewing.
What happens if my Amazon Prime membership expires?
Downloaded films will stop playing once your membership ends, even if they have not reached their expiration date yet. If you reactivate your membership later, you can watch the downloads again. The files remain on your device but are locked until your account is active.
Can I download the same film on multiple devices?
Yes, but you must download it separately on each device. A film downloaded on your phone will not appear on your tablet — you need to open the app on the tablet and download it there too. Each download counts toward that device's storage space.
How do I know if a film is about to expire?
Open the Downloads section in the Amazon Prime Video app and look at each title. The app shows the expiration date next to the film, usually listed as "Expires in X days" or the specific date. Set a reminder on your phone if you want to watch a film before it expires, or download it again before the deadline.
Do downloaded films use my internet data?
No. Once a film is fully downloaded, you can watch it without any internet connection. However, the initial download does use data if you are on a mobile network instead of Wi-Fi. For large downloads, use Wi-Fi to avoid using up your monthly data limit.