Netflix downloads work on phones and tablets, not computers
You can download films and TV shows directly to your phone or tablet through the Netflix app, then watch them without an internet connection. The download button appears on the film's detail page — tap it, and Netflix stores the video file on your device. Desktop computers and web browsers cannot download films; this feature only works on the mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Downloaded content stays on your device until you delete it or your Netflix subscription ends. Netflix does not let you transfer downloads to other devices or save them permanently after you cancel your account. The files are encrypted and tied to your Netflix account, so only you can watch them on that device.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet, find the film you want, and tap the download icon next to the play button.
- Downloaded films take up storage space on your device — a two-hour film typically uses 1 to 3 gigabytes depending on video quality.
- You can only download films on phones and tablets; computers and web browsers do not support this feature.
- Downloaded content expires when your Netflix subscription ends or after a set period (usually 30 days for some titles), and you cannot watch it after that point.
Finding the download button on your phone
Open the Netflix app and search for or browse to the film you want to download. On the film's detail page, you will see a download icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow inside a circle. Tap that icon, and Netflix begins downloading the film to your device. A progress bar shows how much of the download is complete.
The download icon only appears on films and shows that your Netflix plan allows you to download. Some titles are not available for download because of licensing restrictions — if you do not see a download button, that film cannot be saved offline on Netflix.
Checking download quality and storage space
Netflix automatically chooses download quality based on your device and available storage. You can change this setting by opening the Netflix app, going to your account menu, selecting "App Settings," and then "Download Quality." Choose between Standard (lower quality, smaller file size) or High (better picture, larger file size).
A two-hour film in Standard quality uses roughly 1 to 2 gigabytes of storage. High quality uses 2 to 3 gigabytes or more. Before downloading several films, check how much free space your phone or tablet has. You can see your device's storage in Settings — on iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage; on Android, go to Settings > Storage.
Managing and deleting downloads
To see all your downloaded films, open Netflix and tap the Downloads tab at the bottom of the screen. This shows every film and show you have saved to your device. To delete a download and free up space, swipe left on the title (iPhone) or long-press it (Android), then select Delete.
Netflix also automatically deletes downloads when your subscription ends or when a download expires. Some titles have expiration dates — Netflix will notify you before a download expires so you can watch it or delete it yourself. If you see a warning icon next to a download, that title will soon be removed from your device.
What happens when your subscription ends
If you cancel your Netflix subscription, all downloaded films become unwatchable within a short period. Netflix removes the ability to play them even though the files remain on your device. You cannot transfer downloads to another account or save them for later use.
If your subscription lapses and you rejoin Netflix later, your old downloads will not work. You will need to download the films again once your new subscription is active. This is why Netflix does not let you keep downloads permanently — the service is designed around an active subscription.
Downloading on different devices and accounts
Each Netflix account can download films to up to four different devices at the same time. If you have a family plan, each person's account has its own download limit. Downloads from one account do not appear on another account's device, even if you share the same phone or tablet.
If you want to watch a downloaded film on a different device, you will need to download it again using the Netflix app on that device. Netflix does not sync downloads across devices — each download is stored separately on the device where you created it.
Troubleshooting downloads that fail or get stuck
If a download stops or fails, first check your internet connection — Netflix needs a stable connection to start a download, though it can finish over WiFi or mobile data. If the download is stuck, close the Netflix app completely and open it again. Then try downloading the film once more.
If a download keeps failing, try restarting your phone or tablet. You can also free up storage space by deleting other apps or files, then attempt the download again. If the problem continues, uninstall and reinstall the Netflix app — this sometimes fixes download issues without affecting your account or other downloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Netflix films on my computer?
No. Netflix downloads only work on the mobile apps for iPhone and Android. The Netflix website and Windows or Mac apps do not have a download feature. You can only watch films offline on phones and tablets.
How long can I keep a downloaded film?
Downloaded films stay on your device until you delete them or your subscription ends. Some titles have expiration dates (usually 30 days from download), and Netflix notifies you before they expire. Once your subscription ends, all downloads become unwatchable within a few days.
Do downloaded films use my mobile data?
No. Once a film is fully downloaded, playing it does not use any internet or mobile data. You can watch it completely offline. However, Netflix needs an internet connection to start the download itself.
Can I share downloaded films with someone else?
No. Downloaded films are tied to your Netflix account and device. Only you can watch them on that device. If someone else wants to watch the same film, they need their own Netflix account and must download it to their own device.
What should I do if a download is taking too long?
Download speed depends on your internet connection and the film's size. High-quality downloads take longer than Standard quality. If a download is very slow, try switching to a stronger WiFi network or choosing Standard quality instead of High. You can also pause the download and resume it later.