The basic steps to download on Netflix
To download a show or movie on Netflix, open the app on your phone or tablet, find the title you want, and tap the download icon — usually a downward arrow next to the play button. The download starts immediately and saves to your device's storage. You can watch it later without an internet connection.
Netflix does not let you download on a computer or web browser, only on iOS and Android phones and tablets. The downloaded file stays on your device until you delete it or until Netflix removes it from your account — typically after 30 days for most titles, though some shows expire sooner.
Downloaded content uses your device's storage space, not cloud space. A one-hour episode usually takes 300 to 500 megabytes, depending on video quality. A two-hour movie can take 1 to 2 gigabytes. Check how much free space your phone or tablet has before downloading several titles.
Key Takeaways
- Downloads work only on Netflix's mobile app for phones and tablets, not on computers or the web version.
- Tap the download arrow next to any show or movie title, and it saves to your device for offline viewing.
- Most downloads expire after 30 days, so you need to renew them periodically to keep watching.
- Downloaded files take up device storage space, so check available space before downloading multiple titles.
- You can download on any device linked to your Netflix account, but each download counts toward your account's simultaneous download limit.
Which shows and movies you can download
Not every title on Netflix can be downloaded. The studio or rights holder decides whether Netflix can offer offline viewing for each show or movie. Most popular series and films have download options, but some do not — you will see no download icon if a title is not available for download.
Netflix does not publish a list of downloadable titles in advance. The easiest way to find what you can download is to browse Netflix and look for the download arrow. If you do not see it, that title cannot be downloaded on your account.
Downloaded content is tied to your Netflix account and the specific device you downloaded it to. You cannot transfer a downloaded file to another device or share it with someone else, even if they are on the same Netflix plan.
How long downloads stay on your device
Most Netflix downloads expire 30 days after you download them. After 30 days, the file is automatically deleted from your device, and you must download it again to watch offline. Some titles expire sooner — Netflix shows the expiration date next to the download in your app.
If you start watching a downloaded episode or movie before it expires, Netflix usually extends the expiration by 48 hours from when you finish watching. This gives you time to watch related episodes without the file disappearing mid-series.
You can manually delete a download at any time by opening the title and tapping the download icon again. This frees up storage space immediately.
Download limits and account restrictions
Netflix limits how many titles you can download at the same time based on your plan. Standard plans allow four simultaneous downloads, while Premium plans allow up to six. If you reach your limit, you must delete an older download before starting a new one.
Downloads count toward your account's simultaneous streams limit on some plans. If you have a Standard plan that allows two simultaneous streams, downloading on one device and streaming on another at the same time may not be possible. Check your specific plan details in the Netflix app under Account settings.
Each device linked to your account has its own download storage. You can download different titles on your phone and tablet without affecting each other, as long as you stay within your account's total download limit.
Choosing download quality to save space
Netflix lets you choose the video quality for downloads in your app settings. Lower quality uses less storage space but looks grainier on your screen. Higher quality looks sharper but takes up more room on your device.
To change download quality, go to your Netflix account settings, find the Downloads section, and choose Standard or High. Standard quality is usually fine for phones and smaller screens. High quality is better if you plan to watch on a tablet or connect your phone to a larger screen.
Changing the quality setting applies only to new downloads, not to titles you have already downloaded. If you want to re-download something in a different quality, delete the old version first.
Troubleshooting downloads that do not work
If a download fails or gets stuck, first check that you have a strong internet connection. Netflix needs a stable connection to start a download, though it can finish on a weaker connection. If the download keeps failing, try closing the Netflix app completely and opening it again.
If you see an error message, check whether your device has enough free storage space. Downloads need at least a few hundred megabytes of free space to start. Deleting old downloads, photos, or other files can free up room.
If a title suddenly disappears from your downloads, Netflix may have removed it from your account due to licensing changes. You can try downloading it again if it is still available in the Netflix catalog, but some titles become unavailable for download without warning.
Watching and managing your downloads
To watch a downloaded show or movie, open Netflix and go to the Downloads section in the app menu. All your downloaded titles appear there, organized by when you downloaded them. Tap any title to start playing — it plays from your device storage, not from Netflix's servers.
You can watch downloads in any order and pause or resume them like any other video. Downloaded content does not require an internet connection, so you can watch on a plane, in a car, or anywhere without service.
To see how much storage your downloads are using, go to your device's storage settings. Netflix downloads appear as part of the Netflix app's total storage use. Deleting individual downloads from within Netflix frees up that space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Netflix shows on my computer?
No. Netflix only allows downloads on phones and tablets through its mobile app. The web version and desktop apps do not have a download feature. If you want to watch offline on a computer, you would need to use a different streaming service that supports computer downloads.
What happens if I cancel my Netflix subscription?
Downloaded files are deleted from your device when your subscription ends. Netflix removes access to all downloaded content as soon as your account becomes inactive. If you resubscribe later, you can download the titles again, but the old files will not return.
Can I download Netflix shows to watch on a different account?
No. Downloads are locked to the Netflix account that downloaded them. If someone else on a different account wants to watch the same show offline, they must download it to their own device using their own account.
Do downloaded shows use data when I watch them?
No. Downloaded content plays entirely from your device storage and uses no internet data. This is the main reason to download — so you can watch without using your mobile data plan or needing a WiFi connection.
Why does Netflix say a show cannot be downloaded?
The studio or content owner controls whether Netflix can offer downloads for each title. Some shows and movies are licensed only for streaming, not for offline viewing. Netflix cannot change this — you can only stream those titles with an internet connection.