The basic steps to download on Amazon Prime

To download a movie or show on Amazon Prime, open the Prime Video app on your phone or tablet, find the title you want, and tap the download icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow inside a circle. The download starts immediately and saves to your device's storage. You can watch it later without an internet connection.

The download icon only appears on titles that Amazon allows you to download. Not every movie or show has this option — it depends on the licensing agreement Amazon has with the studio or network that owns it. If you don't see a download icon next to a title, that particular version cannot be downloaded.

Downloaded content stays on your device until you delete it or until your download expires. Most downloads last for 30 days, though some titles have shorter windows. Once you start watching a downloaded title, you usually have 48 hours to finish it before it becomes unwatchable.

Key Takeaways

  • The download icon appears next to titles that can be downloaded; tap it to save the movie or show to your device.
  • Downloaded titles typically expire after 30 days, and you have 48 hours to finish watching once you start playing them.
  • Downloads work only on the Prime Video app for phones and tablets — you cannot download on a web browser or Fire TV device.
  • Check your device storage before downloading, because movies and shows can take up several gigabytes of space.
  • You must be signed into your Prime account and have an active membership to download, but you do not need internet once the download finishes.

Which devices let you download movies

You can download on the Prime Video app for iPhone, iPad, and Android phones and tablets. The app is free to install from the App Store or Google Play Store if you already have a Prime membership. Downloads do not work on computers, web browsers, Fire TV devices, or streaming sticks — only on phones and tablets.

If you want to watch downloaded content on a larger screen, your only option is to download on a tablet rather than a phone. Some people use a tablet connected to a TV via HDMI cable or wireless casting, though this requires the tablet to stay powered and connected to the display.

How much storage space downloads use

A typical movie uses between 1 and 4 gigabytes of storage, depending on the video quality and length. A one-hour TV episode usually takes 500 megabytes to 1.5 gigabytes. If you download multiple titles, the space adds up quickly — a phone with 64 gigabytes of total storage might hold only 10 to 15 movies before running out of room.

Before you download, check how much free space your device has. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. On Android, go to Settings > Storage. If you are running low on space, delete old downloads or other apps to make room. You can always re-download a title later as long as your Prime membership is active.

Understanding download expiration and the 48-hour rule

Most downloads expire 30 days after you first download them, even if you never watch them. When the 30 days are up, the file disappears from your device and you cannot watch it anymore. Some titles have shorter expiration windows — 7 days or 14 days — depending on the licensing terms.

Once you press play on a downloaded title, a separate 48-hour timer starts. You have 48 hours from that moment to finish watching before the file becomes locked and unwatchable. This applies whether the original 30-day window has expired or not. If you run out of time, you can download the title again and start a new 48-hour window.

The Prime Video app shows you how much time is left on both timers. Look at the title's details page to see the expiration date and, once you start watching, the remaining time in your 48-hour window.

Troubleshooting downloads that won't start or finish

If a download stalls or fails to complete, the most common cause is a weak or interrupted internet connection. Make sure you are connected to WiFi or a strong mobile signal, then try deleting the partial download and starting over. To delete it, find the title in your downloads section, swipe left (iPhone) or long-press (Android), and choose remove.

If the download icon does not appear next to a title at all, that title is not available for download in your region or on your device type. Try searching for the same movie or show in a different format — sometimes a 4K version is not downloadable but the standard version is, or vice versa.

If you have plenty of storage space and a good connection but downloads still fail, try signing out of the Prime Video app and signing back in. Go to Settings within the app, scroll to the bottom, and tap Sign Out. Then open the app again and log back in with your Amazon credentials.

Managing your downloaded content

All your downloads appear in the Downloads section of the Prime Video app — tap the Downloads tab at the bottom of the screen. From there you can see how much time each download has left before expiration, start watching, or delete downloads you no longer need.

Deleting a download removes it from your device but does not affect your Prime membership or your ability to re-download it later. You can delete downloads to free up storage space whenever you want. The title will remain in your watchlist and you can download it again the next time you need it.

If you are sharing a device with other people, each person's downloads appear only when they are signed into their own Prime account. Downloads are tied to the account that created them, so you cannot watch someone else's downloads even on the same device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download movies on my computer or laptop?

No. Downloads only work on the Prime Video app for phones and tablets. If you want to watch offline on a computer, you would need to download the file through a different method or service, which Amazon Prime does not support through its standard app.

What happens if my Prime membership expires while I have downloads on my device?

Your downloads become unwatchable once your membership ends. The files stay on your device but the app will not play them. If you renew your membership, the downloads become playable again as long as they have not expired due to the 30-day window.

Can I download the same movie on multiple devices?

Yes. You can download the same title on your phone, tablet, or any other device where you are signed into your Prime account. Each download counts toward that device's storage, so downloading on five devices means the file takes up space on all five.

Do I need internet to watch a downloaded movie?

No. Once the download finishes, you can watch it without any internet connection. However, you must have been signed into your Prime account when you downloaded it, and the file must not have expired.

Why does a download say "Downloading" but never finishes?

This usually means your connection dropped or the app encountered an error. Close the Prime Video app completely, wait a few seconds, and open it again. If the download still does not progress, delete it and try downloading again on a stronger WiFi connection.