The basic steps to download on Netflix
Netflix lets you download most shows and movies directly to your phone or tablet through the Netflix app. Open the app, find the title you want, and look for a download icon — usually a downward arrow inside a circle. Tap it, and Netflix saves the video to your device. You can watch it later without an internet connection.
The download icon appears on the title's detail page, next to the play button. On some titles you'll see a number in the download icon, like a "1" or "10" — that tells you how many episodes are available to download from that season. Downloaded files stay on your device until you delete them or until your Netflix membership ends.
Downloads work on the Netflix app for iOS and Android phones and tablets. They do not work on the Netflix website or on smart TVs, streaming devices, or computers — only mobile devices.
Key Takeaways
- The download icon is a downward arrow on the title's detail page in the Netflix app, and tapping it saves the video to your phone or tablet.
- Downloaded videos expire after a set time — usually 30 days for most titles, though some expire after 7 days or have no expiration date.
- You need enough free storage space on your device; a one-hour episode typically uses 300 MB to 1 GB depending on video quality.
- Downloaded content is tied to your Netflix account and the device it was downloaded to — you cannot transfer downloads between devices or share them.
Where to find the download button
The download icon sits on the title's main page in the Netflix app, usually below the play button or in the row of action buttons. For TV shows, you'll see the icon next to each episode title in the episode list, so you can download individual episodes rather than entire seasons at once.
If you don't see a download icon, that title is not available for download. Netflix controls which titles can be downloaded based on licensing agreements with studios and networks. Popular shows and movies are usually downloadable, but some newer releases, licensed content, or international titles may not be.
On Android, you can also go to your profile menu, select "Downloads," and see everything you've already downloaded or are currently downloading. This same menu shows how much storage space your downloads are using.
How long downloads stay on your device
Most Netflix downloads expire after 30 days, meaning the video becomes unwatchable after that period even if it's still on your device. Some titles expire after 7 days instead. A small number of titles have no expiration date at all, though Netflix does not clearly label which ones these are — you'll only know when you try to watch an expired download and see an error message.
The expiration timer starts when you first download the title, not when you watch it. If you download a show on Monday but don't watch it until day 25, you'll only have 5 days left before it expires. You can re-download the same title as many times as you want, which resets the expiration clock.
When a download expires, Netflix shows a message asking you to refresh it. Tap the refresh button and Netflix re-downloads the title, giving you another 30 days (or 7 days, depending on the title).
Storage space and video quality
Downloaded videos take up storage space on your phone or tablet. A typical one-hour episode uses between 300 MB and 1 GB, depending on the video quality you choose. A two-hour movie might use 500 MB to 2 GB. Before downloading, check how much free space your device has — go to Settings on iOS or Android and look at available storage.
Netflix automatically chooses a download quality based on your device and available space, but you can change this in the app settings. Go to your profile menu, select "App Settings," and look for "Download Quality." Your options are usually "Standard" (lower quality, smaller file size) or "High" (better picture, larger file size). Choosing Standard saves space but the video will look less sharp on your screen.
If your device is running low on storage, Netflix may delete older downloads automatically to make room for new ones. You can also manually delete downloads by swiping left on the title in your Downloads menu and selecting delete.
Watching downloaded content offline
Once a video is downloaded, you can open the Netflix app and play it without any internet connection. The app does not need to connect to Netflix servers to play a downloaded file — it's stored entirely on your device. This works on airplane mode, in areas without cell service, or anywhere you don't have WiFi.
Downloaded videos play through the Netflix app the same way streaming videos do. You can pause, rewind, fast-forward, and adjust subtitles and audio tracks just like you would with a streaming title. If you close the app and come back later, the video picks up where you left off.
If your Netflix membership ends or you get logged out of the app, downloaded videos become locked and unplayable. Netflix ties downloads to your account, so only the person logged into that account can watch them.
Devices and account limits
Downloads are tied to both your Netflix account and the specific device you downloaded them to. You cannot move a downloaded video from one phone to another, and you cannot share downloads with someone else's device even if they're on the same Netflix account. If you want to watch a downloaded show on a different phone, you have to download it again on that device.
Netflix limits how many downloads you can have at once. The limit depends on your subscription plan — Basic plans allow fewer downloads than Premium plans. If you hit your download limit, you'll need to delete some older downloads before you can download new ones.
You can download the same title on multiple devices if your plan allows it. For example, you could download a movie on your phone and the same movie on your tablet, and both downloads count toward your limit.
Troubleshooting downloads that don't work
If the download button doesn't appear on a title, Netflix has not made it available for download. This is a licensing restriction, not a technical problem. Try searching for a similar title or check back later — Netflix sometimes adds download rights to titles over time.
If a download starts but gets stuck, check your internet connection. Downloads need a stable connection to complete, even though you watch them offline later. If the download keeps failing, try connecting to a different WiFi network or wait a few hours and try again.
If a downloaded video won't play and shows an error message, the download may have expired. Refresh it by tapping the refresh button, or delete it and download it again. If you're still seeing an error after refreshing, try logging out of the Netflix app and logging back in, then attempt to play the download again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Netflix shows on my computer or smart TV?
No. Netflix downloads only work on the mobile app for phones and tablets running iOS or Android. You cannot download on computers, smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku or Fire Stick, or the Netflix website.
What happens to my downloads if I cancel my Netflix subscription?
Downloaded videos become locked and unplayable immediately when your membership ends. Netflix ties all downloads to your active account. If you resubscribe later, you can download the titles again, but your old downloads will not unlock.
Can I share downloaded videos with someone else?
No. Downloads are locked to your Netflix account and the device they were downloaded to. Even if someone else has access to your phone, they cannot watch your downloads unless they log into your Netflix account on that device.
Why does Netflix say a title cannot be downloaded?
Netflix controls which titles are available for download based on agreements with studios and networks. Some content is licensed only for streaming, not for offline download. This varies by region and changes over time as licensing agreements are renewed or expire.
How do I free up space if my device is full?
Delete downloads you've already watched by opening the Downloads menu in your Netflix app, swiping left on the title, and selecting delete. You can also change your download quality setting to "Standard" instead of "High" to use less space for future downloads.