Hulu downloads work differently depending on your subscription plan

Hulu lets you download TV shows and movies to watch offline, but the feature is only available if you pay for Hulu (With Ads) or Hulu (No Ads) — the basic ad-supported plan does not include downloads. Once you have the right subscription, you can save content to your phone or tablet through the Hulu app, then watch it without an internet connection. Downloaded files stay on your device for a set amount of time before they expire.

The download process itself is straightforward: find the show or movie you want, tap the download icon, and wait for it to finish. The time it takes depends on file size and your internet speed. Most downloads complete within a few minutes on a standard home connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Only Hulu (With Ads) and Hulu (No Ads) subscriptions include the download feature — the basic free plan does not.
  • Downloads are stored on your phone or tablet through the Hulu app and expire after a set period, usually 30 days after you first watch them.
  • You can download shows and movies by opening the title in the app, tapping the download icon, and waiting for the file to transfer.
  • Downloaded content counts against your device's storage space, so older downloads are worth deleting if you need room for new ones.

Check your subscription plan first

Before you try to download anything, confirm that your Hulu account includes the download feature. Open the Hulu app and go to your account settings — usually found by tapping your profile icon in the top right corner. Look for your current plan name. If it says Hulu (With Ads) or Hulu (No Ads), you can download. If it says Hulu (Free), you cannot.

If you have the free plan and want to download, you will need to upgrade to a paid subscription. Hulu offers both plans with and without ads; the choice between them does not affect whether downloads work, only whether you see commercials when you watch.

Download a show or movie through the app

Open the Hulu app on your phone or tablet and search for the title you want to download. Once you find it, open the show or movie page. You should see a download icon — it usually looks like a downward-pointing arrow or a cloud with an arrow. Tap it, and Hulu will begin transferring the file to your device.

The download icon location varies slightly between iOS and Android, but it appears somewhere on the title page, often near the play button or in a menu of options. If you do not see a download icon, that particular title is not available for offline viewing — not all Hulu content can be downloaded due to licensing restrictions.

For TV shows, you can download individual episodes or entire seasons. Tap the download icon next to the episode or season name to choose what you want. Downloading a full season takes longer than a single episode but saves you from having to download each one separately.

How long downloads stay on your device

Downloaded content expires after a set time period. For most titles, Hulu gives you 30 days from the date you first watch the download to keep it on your device. After 30 days, the file automatically deletes itself. Some titles have shorter expiration windows — Hulu's licensing agreements with studios vary, so a few shows or movies may expire sooner.

You can manually delete downloads at any time to free up space. Open the Hulu app, go to your profile, and look for a "Downloads" or "My Stuff" section. Select the title you want to remove and choose delete. This does not affect your ability to watch the title later on a connection — you can always download it again.

Storage space and download limits

Downloaded files take up space on your phone or tablet, just like any other app or video file. A typical TV episode uses 300 to 500 megabytes, while a movie might use 1 to 3 gigabytes depending on video quality. If your device is running low on storage, downloads will fail or pause. Check your device's storage settings to see how much free space you have before downloading large files.

Hulu does not publish a hard limit on how many titles you can download at once, but in practice you are limited by your device's storage capacity. If you fill up your phone downloading 20 movies, you will not be able to download more until you delete some. Older devices with less storage may need to be selective about what you keep downloaded.

Troubleshooting downloads that do not work

If a download fails or gets stuck, first check your internet connection. Downloads need a stable connection to start, though they can continue if the connection drops briefly. If your connection is weak, move closer to your router or switch to a stronger network and try again.

If the download still does not work, try closing the Hulu app completely and reopening it. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to recognize the download option. You can also check whether that specific title is available for download — if Hulu shows no download icon at all, the studio has not licensed it for offline viewing and you cannot download it.

Make sure your Hulu app is up to date. Older versions of the app sometimes have bugs that prevent downloads from working. Open your device's app store, search for Hulu, and install any available updates.

Watching your downloaded content

To watch a download, open the Hulu app and navigate to your Downloads section. This is usually found in the profile menu or in a dedicated "My Stuff" tab. Tap the title you want to watch and select the episode or movie. The file will play directly from your device without needing an internet connection.

Downloaded content plays in the same Hulu player as streaming content, so the controls and features work the same way. You can pause, rewind, and fast-forward normally. If you lose your internet connection while watching, the video keeps playing because it is stored locally on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download Hulu content on a computer?

No, Hulu only supports downloads on phones and tablets through the mobile app. The web version of Hulu does not have a download feature. If you want to watch Hulu offline on a computer, you would need to use a different method, though Hulu does not officially support that.

What happens if my subscription expires?

If you stop paying for Hulu, your downloaded files remain on your device but you cannot play them. The Hulu app will block playback because it checks your subscription status each time you try to watch. If you resubscribe later, you can watch the downloads again without re-downloading them.

Can I transfer downloaded Hulu videos to another device?

No, Hulu downloads are locked to the device they were downloaded on and cannot be moved or shared. Each device needs its own copy of the download. This is a security measure Hulu uses to prevent unauthorized sharing of content.

Do downloaded shows take up more storage than movies?

Not necessarily — it depends on the video quality and length. A two-hour movie might use 2 gigabytes, while a one-hour TV episode might use 500 megabytes. Longer content generally uses more space, but quality settings also matter. Hulu does not let you adjust download quality, so you get whatever resolution Hulu assigns to that title.