Hulu's download feature lets you save shows and movies to your device, but only if you have the right subscription and the content allows it
Hulu offers a download feature that works on phones and tablets running iOS, Android, Fire tablets, and Chromebooks. You can save episodes and films to watch without an internet connection. Not everything on Hulu can be downloaded — some titles are restricted by licensing agreements — and the feature is only available on certain subscription tiers. Downloads expire after a set period, usually 30 days, though some titles expire sooner.
The process itself is straightforward: find the title, tap or click the download button, and wait for it to finish. The downloaded file stays on your device until it expires or you delete it manually. This guide walks through which subscriptions support downloads, how to download on different devices, and what happens when your download expires.
Key Takeaways
- Hulu's ad-supported plan does not include downloads; you need either the ad-free plan or the bundle that includes Disney+ and ESPN+.
- Not all content can be downloaded — look for the download icon next to a title to see if that specific show or movie is available for offline viewing.
- Downloads expire automatically, usually after 30 days, though some titles have shorter windows; you can re-download them after expiration.
- On phones and tablets, open the title, tap the download icon, and select the video quality; on Chromebooks, the process is the same but quality options may be limited.
Which Hulu subscriptions include downloads
Hulu's basic ad-supported plan does not include the ability to download content. If you have this tier, you can only stream titles while connected to the internet.
The ad-free plan includes downloads on all compatible devices. This is the most common way people access the download feature. Hulu also offers a bundle that combines Hulu (ad-free), Disney+, and ESPN+ — this bundle tier also includes downloads on Hulu content.
If you are unsure which plan you have, open the Hulu app, go to your account settings, and look under "Subscription" or "Plan Details." It will show your current tier. If you have the ad-supported plan and want to download, you would need to change your subscription through the Hulu website or app.
How to download on iPhone and iPad
Open the Hulu app and find the show or movie you want to download. Tap on the title to open its details page. Look for a download icon — it looks like a downward arrow or a cloud with an arrow — next to the play button. If you do not see this icon, that title cannot be downloaded.
Tap the download icon. A menu will appear asking you to choose video quality: typically "Standard" (lower quality, uses less storage) or "High" (better quality, uses more storage). Select your preference and tap "Download." The app will show a progress bar as the file saves to your device. Once it finishes, you will see a checkmark next to the download icon.
Downloaded episodes and movies appear in a "Downloads" section within the Hulu app. Swipe to the left on any downloaded title to delete it manually before it expires, which frees up storage space on your device.
How to download on Android phones and tablets
The process on Android is nearly identical to iOS. Open Hulu, find your title, and tap to open its details page. Look for the download icon next to the play button. Tap it, choose your video quality (Standard or High), and confirm. The download will begin and show a progress indicator.
On some Android devices, you may see additional options like "Download Quality" settings in your account preferences. These let you set a default quality for all future downloads so you do not have to choose each time. To access this, go to your profile icon, select "Settings," and look for "Downloads" or "Playback Quality."
Downloaded content lives in the Downloads section of the app. Long-press any title to see options to delete it or view details like when it will expire.
How to download on Fire tablets and Chromebooks
Fire tablets work the same way as Android phones. Open Hulu, find the title, tap the download icon, choose quality, and confirm. The file saves to your device's storage.
On Chromebooks, the Hulu app works through the Google Play Store. The download process is identical — tap the title, tap the download icon, select quality, and wait. However, Chromebooks typically offer fewer quality options than phones, and storage is often more limited, so downloaded files take up proportionally more space.
Both Fire tablets and Chromebooks show downloaded content in the same Downloads section as phones. You can delete downloads the same way: long-press the title and select delete, or swipe to remove it.
Understanding download expiration and re-downloading
Hulu downloads expire automatically after a set time. Most titles expire after 30 days, though some expire sooner — Hulu does not always make the expiration date visible before you download. When a download expires, it is automatically removed from your device, and you cannot watch it offline anymore.
You can re-download an expired title at any time, as long as you still have an active subscription and the content remains on Hulu. There is no limit to how many times you can download the same title. If a show or movie is removed from Hulu entirely, you will no longer be able to download it, and any existing downloads will stop working.
To check when a download will expire, open the title's details page in the Downloads section. Some devices show the expiration date; others do not. If you want to keep watching something, plan to re-download it before the 30-day window closes.
Troubleshooting common download problems
If the download icon does not appear next to a title, that content is not available for offline viewing due to licensing restrictions. Hulu cannot override these restrictions, so you will only be able to stream it online. Try searching for a different episode or season — sometimes only certain episodes in a series are downloadable.
If a download starts but gets stuck, check your internet connection and make sure you have enough storage space on your device. A download that is interrupted will usually resume automatically when your connection is stable. If it does not, try deleting the partial download and starting over.
If you see a message that your download has expired even though it should not have, sign out of the Hulu app completely, wait a few seconds, and sign back in. Sometimes the app's cache needs to refresh. If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall the Hulu app — this clears out corrupted files without affecting your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Hulu content on my computer or laptop?
Hulu does not support downloads on Windows or Mac computers. Downloads are only available on phones, tablets, Fire tablets, and Chromebooks. If you want to watch Hulu offline on a computer, you would need to use a different device or stream while connected to the internet.
What happens to my downloads if I cancel my Hulu subscription?
Downloaded files stop working immediately when your subscription ends. Even though the files remain on your device, the Hulu app will not let you play them. If you reactivate your subscription later, you can re-download the same titles.
Do downloads count against my internet data plan?
Yes. Downloading uses the same data as streaming — the file is transferred to your device over the internet. If you are on a limited data plan, downloading large video files can use up your monthly allowance quickly. Downloading on Wi-Fi instead of cellular data avoids this problem.
Can I share downloaded Hulu videos with other people?
No. Downloaded Hulu files are protected by digital rights management and cannot be transferred, copied, or shared. Each download is tied to your account and device. Sharing would violate Hulu's terms of service.
Why does a show I want to download say it is not available?
Licensing agreements between Hulu and content creators determine which titles can be downloaded. Some shows and movies are licensed only for streaming, not for offline use. This varies by title and can change over time as licenses renew or expire.