The main ways to download movies on iPhone
You download movies on iPhone through apps that offer offline viewing, not through your phone's web browser or by connecting to a computer. The most common routes are the Apple TV app (for movies you own or rent through iTunes), streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ (if your subscription includes downloads), and file-sharing apps like Google Drive or Dropbox (if you already own the video file).
Each method works differently because each service controls what you can download and how long you can keep it. A movie you buy through iTunes stays on your phone until you delete it. A movie you download through Netflix expires after a set number of days if you don't open it. A video file in Google Drive doesn't expire but takes up storage space on your phone.
The phone itself doesn't distinguish between these — once downloaded, they all appear in the same apps and play offline the same way. The difference is in the rules each service sets and how much storage space the download uses.
Key Takeaways
- Movies you buy or rent through the Apple TV app download directly to your phone and stay there until you delete them.
- Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime let you download movies if your subscription plan includes that feature, but downloads usually expire after 30 days or when you stop paying.
- Downloaded movies use your phone's storage space, so check how much free space you have before downloading long files.
- You can only download movies through the official app — you cannot download through Safari or by connecting your iPhone to a computer.
Downloading movies through the Apple TV app
Open the Apple TV app, find the movie you want to buy or rent, and tap the price button (for purchase) or the rent button. After you pay, the download starts automatically if you have Wi-Fi on. If you want to download over cellular data instead, go to Settings > TV > Cellular Data and toggle it on.
Once the download finishes, the movie appears in your Library tab in the Apple TV app. You can watch it anytime without an internet connection. Movies you buy stay in your Library forever. Movies you rent are available for 30 days from the purchase date, or 48 hours from when you first press play — whichever comes first.
To delete a downloaded movie and free up space, open the Apple TV app, go to Library, find the movie, swipe left on it, and tap Delete. The movie stays in your account, so you can re-download it later if you bought it.
Downloading from Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services
Not all streaming subscriptions include downloads. Netflix allows downloads on all plans. Disney+ allows downloads on all plans. Amazon Prime Video allows downloads on all plans. HBO Max, Hulu, and others vary by plan — check your subscription details in the app to see if the download button appears next to a movie title.
To download a movie, open the streaming app, find the movie, and look for a download icon (usually a downward arrow or a circle with a line underneath). Tap it. The download starts immediately if you have Wi-Fi on. Most services let you download over cellular data too, but check your app settings first.
Downloaded movies expire after a set time — usually 30 days for Netflix, or when your subscription ends. Some services let you keep a download longer if you open it before the expiration date. Check the app's help section or the download details to see the exact expiration date for each movie.
Downloading video files from cloud storage or email
If you have a video file in Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud Drive, you can download it to your phone through that app. Open the file in the cloud storage app, tap the menu (three dots), and look for a "Save to Files" or "Download" option. The file saves to your phone's Files app or directly to a video app like Photos.
Once saved, the file takes up storage space on your phone just like any other file. It does not expire, and you can watch it offline anytime. However, large video files (movies are often 1 to 4 gigabytes) can use a lot of your phone's storage, so check Settings > General > iPhone Storage before downloading.
If someone emails you a video file, you can download it the same way — open the email, tap and hold the attachment, and choose "Save to Files" or open it in a video app.
How much storage space movies use
A typical movie download uses between 500 megabytes and 4 gigabytes, depending on the quality and length. Standard definition uses less space than high definition. A 2-hour movie in standard definition might be 500 megabytes to 1 gigabyte. The same movie in high definition might be 2 to 4 gigabytes.
Check how much free space you have before downloading. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. The number at the top shows how much space is available. If you have less than 1 gigabyte free, delete old photos, videos, or apps first, or download the movie over Wi-Fi to a computer and transfer it later.
Downloaded movies stay on your phone until you delete them, so they use storage space permanently unless you remove them. If you download several movies, your phone may slow down or run out of space for other apps and photos.
Downloading over Wi-Fi versus cellular data
Most streaming apps download over Wi-Fi by default and ask permission before using cellular data. This is because movie downloads are large and can use up your monthly data limit quickly. A single high-definition movie download can use 2 to 4 gigabytes of data.
If you want to download over cellular data, go to the app's settings and toggle on the cellular download option. Some apps let you set a limit — for example, Netflix lets you choose whether to download only over Wi-Fi or to allow cellular downloads. Check your phone plan's data limit before downloading over cellular, especially if you have a limited plan.
Downloading over Wi-Fi is faster and does not count against your data limit, so it is the better choice if you have access to Wi-Fi.
What to do if a download fails or gets stuck
If a download stops or gets stuck, force-close the app and try again. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top right on newer iPhones) to open the app switcher, find the app, and swipe up to close it. Then open the app again and tap the download button.
If the download still fails, check that you have a stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or check your cellular signal. If the connection is weak, the download may pause or fail. Wait a few minutes and try again.
If the problem continues, restart your phone. Hold the power button until "Slide to Power Off" appears, swipe to turn off the phone, wait 10 seconds, and press the power button again to turn it back on. Then try the download again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download a movie from YouTube on my iPhone?
YouTube's terms of service do not allow downloads through the YouTube app unless you have YouTube Premium. Third-party apps that claim to download YouTube videos violate YouTube's terms and may expose your phone to malware. The safest option is to use YouTube Premium if you want offline viewing, or to purchase or rent the movie through iTunes or a streaming service instead.
What happens to my downloads if I cancel my streaming subscription?
Downloads from Netflix, Disney+, and similar services stop working when your subscription ends. The app will not let you play them. Movies you buy through iTunes stay on your phone and work forever, even if you never use iTunes again. Movies you rent expire after 48 hours of first play or 30 days of purchase, whichever comes first.
Can I transfer a downloaded movie to another iPhone or iPad?
Movies you buy through iTunes can be re-downloaded on any device signed into the same Apple ID. Movies you download from Netflix or other streaming apps are tied to that app and cannot be transferred. Video files in cloud storage or the Files app can be shared through AirDrop or email, but streaming service downloads cannot.
How do I know if my phone has enough storage for a movie?
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. The number at the top is your available space. Most movies need 500 megabytes to 4 gigabytes. If your available space is less than the movie size, delete photos, videos, or unused apps first. You can also check the movie's file size in the app before downloading — most apps show this in the download details.
Can I download a movie and watch it on a different app?
No. Movies downloaded through Netflix only play in Netflix. Movies downloaded through iTunes only play in the Apple TV app or Photos app. Video files you download to the Files app can open in multiple video players, but streaming service downloads are locked to their original apps.