The basic steps to download on Netflix
To download a movie on Netflix, open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet, find the title you want, and tap the download icon — usually a downward arrow next to the play button. 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 Netflix allows you to download. Not every movie or show has this option — it depends on licensing agreements with studios. If you don't see a download button, that title cannot be downloaded on Netflix.
Downloaded content stays on your device until you delete it or your Netflix membership ends. Netflix removes access to downloaded files when your subscription lapses, so the downloads are tied to your active account.
Key Takeaways
- The download button appears as a downward arrow next to the play button on titles that support offline viewing.
- Not all movies and shows can be downloaded — the option depends on licensing, and you cannot download if the button is not there.
- Downloaded content uses storage space on your phone or tablet and remains playable only while your Netflix membership is active.
- You can download on phones and tablets running iOS 15.1 or later, or Android 6.0 or later, but not on computers or web browsers.
- Netflix limits the number of downloads per account based on your plan — Standard and Premium plans allow more downloads than Basic.
Which devices support Netflix downloads
Netflix downloads work on phones and tablets only. You cannot download movies or shows on a computer, even if you have the Netflix app installed on Windows or Mac. The download feature is not available through the web browser version of Netflix on any device.
On iOS, you need version 15.1 or later to download. On Android, you need version 6.0 or later. If your device runs an older version, you cannot download even if the button appears. Check your device settings to see what version you have and whether an update is available.
The Netflix app itself must be current to access downloads. If you have not updated the app in several months, updating it from your device's app store may unlock the download feature if it was previously unavailable.
How much storage space downloads use
A single movie download typically uses 500 MB to 3 GB of storage, depending on the film's length and the video quality Netflix uses. Shorter films and older titles tend to use less space. Longer films and newer releases use more.
TV show episodes use roughly 300 MB to 1 GB each. If you download an entire season, the total can easily reach several gigabytes. Before downloading multiple titles, check how much free storage your device has. You can see this in your device's settings under storage or about phone.
Netflix does not let you choose the download quality — the app automatically selects a quality based on your device and available storage. You cannot force a lower-quality download to save space, nor can you download in higher quality than Netflix provides.
Download limits based on your Netflix plan
Your Netflix plan determines how many titles you can have downloaded at once. The Basic plan allows 1 download at a time. Standard allows 4 downloads. Premium allows 6 downloads. These limits apply across all your devices — if you download 4 titles on your phone, you cannot download more until you delete one.
The limit counts individual titles, not episodes. If you download a TV show with 10 episodes, that counts as 1 download toward your limit, not 10. You can download the same title on multiple devices without using additional download slots.
If you reach your download limit and want to download something new, you must delete a previously downloaded title first. Deleting is permanent — Netflix does not save your download history, so you will need to download it again if you want to watch it offline later.
How long downloads take and what affects speed
Download speed depends on your internet connection. On a strong WiFi network, a movie typically downloads in 5 to 15 minutes. On a slower connection or mobile data, it can take 30 minutes or longer. Netflix pauses the download if your connection drops and resumes when it reconnects.
Netflix prioritizes downloads when your device is plugged in and connected to WiFi. If you download over mobile data or while your battery is low, the download may proceed more slowly. For faster downloads, connect to WiFi and plug in your device.
You can download multiple titles at once, but doing so slows each individual download. If you need something quickly, download one title at a time rather than queuing several.
Watching and managing your downloads
To watch a downloaded title, open Netflix, go to your Downloads section (usually at the bottom of the app), and tap the title. It plays immediately without needing an internet connection. You can pause, rewind, and fast-forward just as you would with a streamed title.
Downloaded content expires based on Netflix's licensing agreements with studios. Some titles remain available indefinitely; others expire after 30 days or 48 hours. Netflix notifies you before a download expires, usually with a message in the Downloads section. When it expires, you must download it again to watch it offline.
To delete a download and free up storage space, open the Downloads section, find the title, and select the delete or remove option. This removes the file from your device immediately. You can re-download it later if you want to watch it again.
Troubleshooting downloads that do not work
If the download button does not appear on a title, Netflix does not allow downloads for that content. This is a licensing restriction, not a technical problem. Try searching for a similar title that does have a download option.
If a download starts but gets stuck, check your internet connection. If your WiFi or mobile data is unstable, pause the download, move closer to your router, and try again. You can also try deleting the partial download and starting over.
If downloads are not appearing in your Downloads section after they finish, restart the Netflix app. Close it completely and reopen it. If the downloads still do not show up, restart your device and try again.
If you see a message that you have reached your download limit, you must delete a previously downloaded title before downloading a new one. Check your plan to confirm your limit — Basic allows 1, Standard allows 4, and Premium allows 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Netflix movies on my computer?
No. Netflix downloads are only available on phones and tablets. The download feature does not work on computers, including Windows PCs and Macs, even if you have the Netflix app installed. You can only stream on a computer.
What happens to my downloads if my Netflix subscription ends?
Downloaded content becomes unwatchable once your membership ends. Netflix removes access to all downloaded files when your subscription lapses. If you resubscribe later, you can download the titles again, but the previous downloads are gone.
Can I transfer a Netflix download to another device?
No. Downloads are locked to the device they were downloaded on and cannot be moved or shared. If you want to watch a title offline on a different device, you must download it on that device separately.
How do I know if a download is going to expire?
Netflix shows an expiration date in your Downloads section if a title has one. Some titles display "Expires in 30 days" or "Expires in 48 hours" next to the download. If no expiration date appears, the download does not expire and remains available as long as your membership is active.
Can I download Netflix content to watch on a different app or device later?
No. Netflix downloads can only be watched in the Netflix app on the device where you downloaded them. You cannot export, transfer, or play downloaded Netflix content anywhere else.