The basic steps to download a Netflix episode
To download an episode on Netflix, open the app on your phone or tablet, find the show or movie you want, and tap the download icon next to the title. The icon looks like a downward-pointing arrow inside a circle. Netflix will save the episode to your device's storage, and you can watch it later without an internet connection.
Downloads work only on phones and tablets — you cannot download on a computer or smart TV. The Netflix app must be installed on your device, and you need an active Netflix account. Once downloaded, the episode stays on your device until you delete it or until Netflix removes it from the service.
The time it takes to download depends on the episode length, your internet speed, and how many other downloads are running. A typical 45-minute episode takes anywhere from a few minutes to 15 minutes on a standard home Wi-Fi connection. Netflix will show a progress bar while the download is happening.
Key Takeaways
- The download button appears next to the play button on any show or movie page, and looks like a downward arrow inside a circle.
- Downloads only work on phones and tablets running the Netflix app — computers and smart TVs cannot download episodes.
- Downloaded episodes expire after a set period (usually 30 days for most shows, though some titles have different windows), and Netflix will remind you before they disappear.
- You can download multiple episodes at once, and Netflix will queue them in the order you selected them.
- Downloaded episodes use storage space on your device, so deleting them frees up room for other apps and files.
Where to find the download button
Open the Netflix app and search for or browse to the show or movie you want to download. Tap on the title to open its detail page. Below the play button, you will see several options including "My List" and a download icon. The download icon is a circle with an arrow pointing downward inside it.
For TV shows, you can download individual episodes or entire seasons. When you tap the download icon next to a season title, Netflix will download all episodes in that season. If you want only specific episodes, open the season and tap the download icon next to each episode you want.
Some titles do not have a download option. This happens when Netflix does not have the rights to allow downloads for that particular show or movie. If you do not see a download icon, that title cannot be downloaded on your account.
How much storage space downloads use
Downloaded episodes take up storage on your phone or tablet. A typical one-hour TV episode uses between 300 megabytes and 1 gigabyte of space, depending on the video quality. Movies are larger — a two-hour film typically uses 1 to 3 gigabytes.
Netflix lets you choose the download quality before you download. Open the Netflix app, go to your account settings, and look for "Download quality" or "Video download quality." Your options are usually "Standard" (uses less space) or "High" (uses more space but looks sharper). Choosing Standard quality saves roughly half the storage compared to High quality.
If your device is running low on storage, delete downloaded episodes you have already watched. You can always download them again later if you want to rewatch them.
How long downloaded episodes stay on your device
Netflix sets an expiration date on most downloaded episodes. After that date passes, the episode disappears from your device automatically, even if you have not watched it. For most shows and movies, this window is 30 days from the download date. Some titles have different expiration periods — Netflix will tell you the exact date when you download.
Netflix sends you a notification a few days before a download expires, so you have time to watch it if you want. If you want to keep watching after the expiration date, you can download the episode again as long as it is still available on Netflix.
If a show or movie is removed from Netflix entirely, your downloaded copy will stop working on the expiration date, even if you have not watched it yet. Netflix cannot extend the expiration date for individual downloads.
Managing your downloads
To see all your downloads, open the Netflix app and tap the Downloads tab at the bottom of the screen (on most phones) or look for a Downloads section in the menu. This shows every episode and movie you have downloaded, organized by title. You can watch any downloaded episode from this screen without needing an internet connection.
To delete a download, find it in your Downloads section, tap and hold the title (or look for a delete or remove option), and confirm. Deleting a download removes it from your device but does not affect your Netflix account — you can download it again later.
Netflix also lets you manage downloads by device. If you have downloaded episodes on multiple phones or tablets, each device keeps its own set of downloads. Deleting something on one phone does not remove it from another phone.
Downloading on Wi-Fi versus mobile data
Netflix allows downloads over Wi-Fi on all accounts. If you want to download using mobile data (cellular), you may need to change a setting first. Open the Netflix app, go to Account or Settings, find "Download," and look for an option about using mobile data for downloads. Some account types allow this by default; others require you to turn it on.
Downloading over mobile data uses your phone's data plan, so be aware of your monthly limit. A single episode can use 300 megabytes to 1 gigabyte depending on quality, which adds up quickly if you download many episodes. Most people download over Wi-Fi to avoid using their data allowance.
If you are traveling and do not have Wi-Fi, downloading over mobile data before you leave home is a good option. Download your episodes while connected to Wi-Fi, then watch them offline wherever you go.
Troubleshooting download problems
If a download fails or gets stuck, try closing the Netflix app completely and opening it again. Then find the episode and tap the download button once more. Netflix will restart the download from the beginning.
If you see an error message, check that you have enough storage space on your device. Go to your phone or tablet's Settings, find Storage or About, and see how much free space you have. If you are below 500 megabytes of free space, delete some apps or files and try again.
Make sure you are connected to a stable internet connection while downloading. If your Wi-Fi keeps dropping, move closer to your router or restart it. A weak or interrupted connection can cause downloads to fail or take much longer than usual.
If a specific title will not download even after restarting the app, that show or movie may not be available for download in your region or on your account type. Try downloading a different title to see if the download feature is working overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download episodes on my computer?
No. Netflix downloads only work on phones and tablets running the Netflix app. Windows computers can download through the Netflix app on Windows 10 and later, but Mac computers cannot download at all. Smart TVs and web browsers do not support downloads.
What happens if Netflix removes a show I downloaded?
Your downloaded copy will stop working on its expiration date. Netflix cannot keep removed shows playable on your device past that date. If you want to keep watching, you need to finish before the expiration window closes.
Can I transfer downloaded episodes to another device?
No. Downloaded episodes are locked to the device they were downloaded on and the Netflix account that downloaded them. You cannot copy them to another phone, tablet, or computer. You must download them separately on each device.
Do downloaded episodes count against my Netflix plan limit?
No. Netflix does not limit how many episodes you can download based on your plan type. The limit is only the storage space available on your device. You can download as many episodes as your phone or tablet can hold.
Can I watch a downloaded episode if I cancel my Netflix subscription?
No. Downloaded episodes stop working immediately when your subscription ends. Netflix checks your account status when you try to play a download, and if your subscription is inactive, playback will not work.