How to Download Videos on Amazon Prime for Offline Viewing
Amazon Prime Video's download feature lets you save movies, TV episodes, and original content directly to your device so you can watch without an internet connection. Whether you're preparing for a long flight or dealing with unreliable Wi-Fi, the process is straightforward — but a few variables affect exactly how it works for you.
What the Download Feature Actually Does
When you download a title from Prime Video, you're not saving an unprotected video file. Amazon uses DRM (Digital Rights Management) encryption, which means the downloaded content is stored in a proprietary format tied to the Prime Video app. You can only play it through that app, on the same device you downloaded it to. The file isn't transferable to a USB drive or another app.
This is standard practice across streaming platforms. It protects content licensing agreements while still giving subscribers the offline flexibility they're paying for.
Devices That Support Downloads
Amazon Prime Video downloads are available on:
- iOS devices (iPhone and iPad) via the Prime Video app from the App Store
- Android phones and tablets via the Prime Video app from the Google Play Store or Amazon's own Appstore
- Amazon Fire tablets and Fire TV Stick (with a compatible remote or app setup)
- Windows 10/11 PCs via the Prime Video app from the Microsoft Store
- Chromebooks that support Android apps
📱 Notably, macOS is not supported for downloads through a native app. Mac users can stream through Safari or Chrome, but offline downloads aren't available on that platform at this time.
Step-by-Step: How to Download a Title
The process is consistent across supported devices:
- Open the Prime Video app and sign in to your account
- Find the movie or TV show you want to download
- On the title's detail page, tap or click the download icon (an arrow pointing downward)
- For TV series, you'll see download icons next to individual episodes — you choose which ones to save
- The download runs in the background; a progress indicator shows completion
- Access saved content by going to My Stuff > Downloads within the app
Some titles display a download icon automatically. Others may not offer the option at all — not every title in the Prime Video library is available for download, depending on licensing restrictions set by the content owner.
Download Quality Settings
Before or during downloading, you can adjust video quality. Amazon typically offers two or three tiers:
| Quality Setting | Approximate Use Case |
|---|---|
| Good | Saves storage space; fine for smaller screens |
| Better | Balanced quality for tablets and mid-size displays |
| Best | Higher resolution; uses significantly more storage |
These settings are found in the app's Settings > Download Quality menu. The "Best" setting can consume several gigabytes per movie, so storage capacity on your device directly affects how many titles you can keep downloaded at once.
How Long Downloads Last
Downloaded titles don't stay available indefinitely. Amazon imposes expiration windows driven by licensing agreements:
- Most downloads expire 30 days after saving, if you haven't started watching
- Once you begin watching, the window typically shortens to 48 hours to finish the title
- Some titles have different windows — you'll see the exact countdown in your Downloads section
When a download expires, it's automatically removed from the app. You can re-download eligible titles as long as your Prime membership is active.
Storage and Device Limits 💾
A few practical constraints affect how the download feature works in real use:
Storage space is the most immediate limiting factor. Devices with 16GB or 32GB of internal storage fill up quickly, especially at higher quality settings. Some Android devices allow you to redirect downloads to a microSD card, which is a useful workaround. iOS and Windows do not offer this option — downloads go to internal storage only.
Device limits also apply. Amazon restricts downloads to a set number of devices per account (generally up to 25 registered devices, though only a limited number can download the same title simultaneously). If you're managing downloads across a household with multiple devices, this is worth knowing.
Re-authentication is occasionally required. If your app hasn't connected to Amazon's servers in 30 days, it may ask you to go online briefly to verify your account before playing downloaded content.
Which Titles Are Available for Download?
Not everything in the Prime Video library can be downloaded. Availability depends on:
- Content type: Amazon Originals are almost always downloadable. Licensed third-party content varies
- Geographic region: Licensing rights differ by country, so download availability isn't universal
- Add-on channels: If you're watching through a Prime Video Channel (like HBO or Paramount+), download availability depends on that channel's own rules, not just Amazon's
The download icon simply won't appear on titles that aren't cleared for offline viewing.
The Variables That Shape Your Experience
The mechanics of downloading are consistent, but what the experience actually looks like depends on several factors specific to your situation: the device you're using, how much local storage you have available, whether your device supports expandable storage, how many titles you want to keep on hand at once, and how often you're in situations where offline access matters.
Someone with a 256GB Android tablet and a microSD card slot has a very different set of options than someone using an older iPhone with 32GB of internal storage. The feature works the same way — what changes is how much it can do for you given the constraints of your own hardware.