Hulu lets you download most shows and movies to your phone or tablet, but not all of them, and the download stays tied to your account

You can download episodes from Hulu to watch without an internet connection, but only if you have a paid Hulu subscription (the free tier does not include downloads). The shows and movies you download stay encrypted to your account — you cannot transfer them to another device or person, and they expire after a set period. Not every title on Hulu is downloadable; some are restricted by licensing agreements with studios.

The process itself is straightforward: find the show or movie, tap or click the download icon, and wait for it to finish. The file size varies by video quality and length, so a full season can take up several gigabytes of storage on your device.

Key Takeaways

  • Only paid Hulu subscriptions (with ads or ad-free) include download rights; the free tier does not.
  • Downloaded content expires after 30 days on most titles, and some shows cannot be downloaded at all due to licensing restrictions.
  • Downloads work on phones and tablets running iOS, Android, Fire tablets, and Chromebooks, but not on computers or web browsers.
  • Each downloaded show or movie is tied to your Hulu account and cannot be shared with other users or devices.

Which devices can download Hulu content

Hulu downloads are available on mobile and tablet devices only. On iOS, you need the Hulu app on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 13 or later. On Android, the Hulu app works on phones and tablets with Android 6.0 or newer. Amazon Fire tablets and Chromebooks also support Hulu downloads through the Hulu app.

You cannot download Hulu content on a computer, laptop, or through a web browser. If you want to watch offline on a larger screen, your only option is a tablet. Downloaded files stay on the device where you downloaded them — you cannot move them between devices or access them from another phone even if you log in with the same account.

How to download a show or movie on Hulu

Open the Hulu app on your phone or tablet and search for the show or movie you want to download. Tap on the title to open its details page. Look for the download icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow or a cloud with a down arrow — and tap it. The app will begin downloading the content to your device.

For TV shows, you can download individual episodes or entire seasons. Tap the download icon next to the episode or season name. Downloading a full season takes longer and uses more storage, so consider your available space before starting. You can check the download progress in the app's Downloads section, which shows you what is currently downloading and what has finished.

If the download icon does not appear, that title is not available for download due to licensing restrictions. You will need to stream it instead, which requires an active internet connection.

Storage space and download limits

Downloaded Hulu content counts against your device's storage. A single episode of a TV show typically uses 300 MB to 1 GB depending on video quality and length. A two-hour movie can use 1 to 3 GB. If you download multiple seasons or several movies, you can quickly fill up a phone with limited storage.

Hulu does not publish a hard limit on how many titles you can download at once, but practically speaking, your device's storage is the constraint. If your phone has 64 GB of storage and you use 30 GB for apps and photos, you have roughly 34 GB left — enough for several seasons of shows or a dozen movies, depending on their size.

How long downloads stay on your device

Most downloaded content on Hulu expires after 30 days. This means the file remains on your device, but after 30 days you cannot play it without an internet connection to verify your subscription is still active. Some titles have different expiration windows — a few may expire after 7 days or last longer — but 30 days is the standard.

When a download expires, you can download it again at no extra cost. The expiration timer resets each time you download the same title. If you are planning a trip and want to watch shows offline, download them a few days before you leave so the 30-day window covers your travel dates.

What happens if your subscription ends

Downloaded content becomes unplayable immediately if your Hulu subscription lapses or is cancelled. Even though the files remain on your device, Hulu's app checks your account status each time you try to play a download. If the subscription is inactive, playback is blocked.

If you pause your subscription temporarily and then reactivate it, your downloads work again. The files themselves are not deleted, just locked until your account is active. This is why downloads are tied to your account — Hulu uses this system to prevent sharing content with people who do not have their own subscription.

Titles that cannot be downloaded

Some shows and movies on Hulu are not available for download because of licensing agreements with studios and networks. These restrictions vary by title and can change over time. Typically, very new releases, certain premium content, and some licensed shows from other networks have download restrictions.

There is no way to know in advance which titles are downloadable except by opening them in the app and looking for the download icon. If you do not see the icon, that title cannot be downloaded. You can still stream it with an internet connection, but offline viewing is not an option for that particular show or movie.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download Hulu shows on my computer?

No. Hulu downloads only work on phones, tablets, and Chromebooks through the Hulu app. The web browser version of Hulu does not support downloads. If you need to watch on a computer without internet, a tablet is your only option.

What if I download a show and then my subscription changes to the free tier?

Downloaded content becomes unplayable if you switch to Hulu's free tier, because the free plan does not include download rights. Your files remain on your device but are locked. If you upgrade back to a paid plan, they unlock again.

Can I share downloaded shows with someone else on my WiFi?

No. Downloads are encrypted to your account and cannot be played on another person's device or account, even if they are on the same network. Each person needs their own Hulu subscription to download and watch content.

How much storage do I need to download a full season?

A full season of a typical TV show uses 3 to 10 GB depending on episode length and video quality. A 10-episode season of a one-hour drama might use 7 to 10 GB, while a comedy with shorter episodes uses less. Check your device's available storage before downloading multiple seasons.

Do I need WiFi to download, or can I download over cellular?

You can download over cellular data, but it uses significant bandwidth. Downloading a full season can use 5 to 10 GB of data. Most people download over WiFi to avoid using their monthly data allowance, but Hulu does not block cellular downloads.