Yes, Hulu lets you download episodes and movies to watch offline, but only on certain devices and with some limits
Hulu's download feature works on phones and tablets running iOS, iPadOS, or Android. You cannot download to a computer or web browser, and you cannot download to a Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or other streaming device. The downloaded content stays on that specific device — you cannot move it between devices or share it with someone else.
Not everything on Hulu can be downloaded. Most current-season TV shows and movies are available for download, but some licensed content is not. Live TV and sports are never downloadable. If a title has a download button next to it in the app, you can save it; if there is no button, that content is streaming-only.
Downloaded episodes and movies expire after a set period. Hulu does not tell you the exact expiration date upfront, but typically content stays on your device for 30 days from the date you download it. After that, the file deletes automatically and you need to download it again if you want to watch it offline.
Key Takeaways
- You can download Hulu content only on iOS, iPadOS, and Android devices — not on computers, web browsers, or streaming boxes.
- Downloaded shows and movies expire and delete automatically after roughly 30 days, so they are not a permanent storage option.
- Not all Hulu content is downloadable; live TV, sports, and some licensed shows have no download option in the app.
- Downloaded content is tied to the device and account you downloaded it on and cannot be transferred or shared.
Which Hulu subscription tier includes downloads
All Hulu subscription tiers — including the ad-supported plan, the ad-free plan, and the bundle plans that include Disney+ and ESPN+ — have the download feature. You do not need to pay extra or upgrade to a higher tier to download content.
The only exception is if you have a free trial of Hulu. Trial accounts cannot download; you need a paid subscription to use the download feature, even if you are in the first month of a paid plan.
How to download a show or movie on Hulu
Open the Hulu app on your phone or tablet and find the show or movie you want to download. Tap or click on the title to open its details page. Look for a download icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow or a cloud with an arrow. Tap that icon and the download begins immediately.
The download happens in the background while you use the app or close it entirely. On most devices, a download takes a few minutes depending on the file size and your internet speed. You can download multiple titles at once, though downloading many large files simultaneously may slow things down.
Once the download finishes, the title appears in your Downloads section of the Hulu app. You can find this by tapping the menu (usually three horizontal lines) and selecting Downloads or a similar option. From there, you can watch the content anytime without an internet connection.
Storage space and internet requirements
Each episode or movie takes up space on your device's storage. A single TV episode typically uses 300 to 800 megabytes, depending on video quality and length. A two-hour movie might use 1 to 3 gigabytes. If your phone or tablet is running low on storage, you may not be able to download much content.
You need an active internet connection to download content, but once it is downloaded, you can watch it offline without connecting to the internet again. The downloaded file stays playable until it expires, even if your Hulu subscription lapses — though Hulu may change this policy.
If you delete the Hulu app or clear its cache and data, your downloads delete too. Reinstalling the app does not restore them; you have to download the content again.
Video quality and what affects download size
Hulu does not let you choose the download quality the way some other streaming services do. The app downloads at whatever quality your device and internet connection can handle, usually between 720p and 1080p depending on your phone or tablet's screen resolution. You cannot download in 4K even if your device supports it.
Faster internet speeds may result in slightly higher quality downloads, but you have no manual control over this setting. The trade-off is that higher quality files take up more storage space and take longer to download.
Removing downloads and managing your device storage
To delete a downloaded title, open the Downloads section in the Hulu app, find the show or movie, and look for a delete or remove option — usually a trash icon or an X. Tap it and the file deletes immediately, freeing up storage space on your device.
You can also let Hulu delete downloads automatically when they expire. Some devices have a setting to auto-delete old downloads after a certain number of days, though this varies by device and Hulu app version. Check your app settings under Downloads or Offline to see if this option is available.
If your device is running out of storage, deleting old downloads is one of the fastest ways to free up space. Downloaded Hulu content takes up significantly more room than streaming the same show, so if storage is tight, streaming-only may be a better choice for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Hulu content on my laptop or computer?
No. Hulu downloads work only on phones and tablets with iOS, iPadOS, or Android. You cannot download to a Windows or Mac computer, and you cannot download through the Hulu website. If you need offline viewing on a computer, you would need to use a different streaming service that supports computer downloads.
What happens to my downloads if I cancel my Hulu subscription?
Downloaded files remain on your device after cancellation and stay playable until they expire naturally. However, Hulu may change this policy in the future. If you resubscribe later, you can download the same content again, but your old downloads do not automatically restore.
Can I share downloaded Hulu content with someone else?
No. Downloaded files are locked to your device and your Hulu account. Someone else cannot watch your downloads even if they use the same device, and you cannot transfer the files to another phone or tablet. They would need their own Hulu subscription and download the content themselves.
Why does the download button not appear on some shows?
Licensing agreements between Hulu and content creators determine what can be downloaded. Some studios or networks do not allow downloads for their shows, live broadcasts, or sports events. If no download button appears, that content is available only for streaming with an internet connection.
How much data does downloading use compared to streaming?
Downloading uses roughly the same amount of data as streaming the content once, since the file is downloaded at streaming quality. However, once downloaded, you can watch it multiple times without using any additional data. If you plan to watch something more than once offline, downloading saves data overall.