The three ways to download films to your iPhone

You can download films to your iPhone through three main routes: subscription services that include offline viewing (like Netflix, Disney+, or Apple TV+), renting or buying through the Apple TV app, or using AirDrop to transfer files from another device. Each method stores the film directly on your phone so you can watch without an internet connection. The method you choose depends on whether you want to own the film, rent it temporarily, or use a service you already pay for.

Subscription services are the cheapest option if you already have them — you download at no extra cost. Buying through Apple TV+ costs between $3 and $20 per film depending on release date and quality. Renting typically costs $2 to $6 and lets you watch for 24 to 48 hours after you start playing it. AirDrop works only if you have another Apple device with the film already on it, and the file must be in a format your iPhone recognizes.

Key Takeaways

  • Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and most other streaming services let you download films directly to your iPhone through their apps, and the download stays on your phone until you delete it.
  • The Apple TV app lets you buy films permanently or rent them for 24 to 48 hours, and both options download to your phone for offline viewing.
  • Downloaded films take up storage space on your iPhone — a two-hour film typically uses 1 to 4 gigabytes depending on video quality.
  • You can transfer films from a Mac or iPad using AirDrop, but only if the file is in a format your iPhone supports, such as MP4 or MOV.

Downloading from Netflix, Disney+, and other subscription apps

Open the app you subscribe to, find the film you want to watch, and look for a download icon — usually a downward-pointing arrow or a cloud with an arrow. Tap it, and the app will begin downloading the film to your phone. The download happens in the background, so you can close the app and use your phone for other things. Most apps show you the download progress and let you pause or cancel it.

The downloaded film stays on your phone until you delete it or your subscription ends. Some services, like Netflix, remove access to downloaded content if your subscription lapses, even if the file is still on your phone. Others, like Apple TV+, do the same. Check your app's settings to see how long downloads stay available and whether they count against any download limit — Netflix, for example, lets you download up to 100 titles at once on a single device, but other services may have different caps.

Downloaded films use your phone's storage space. A two-hour film in standard definition uses roughly 1 to 2 gigabytes; the same film in high definition uses 2 to 4 gigabytes. If your iPhone is running low on storage, delete old downloads before starting new ones. You can always download the film again later as long as your subscription is active.

Buying or renting films through the Apple TV app

Open the Apple TV app on your iPhone, search for the film, and tap the price button — it will show either a rental price (like $3.99) or a purchase price (like $14.99). Tap "Rent" or "Buy", confirm with Face ID or Touch ID, and the film will begin downloading immediately. You do not need to wait for the download to finish before you start watching — most films let you begin playing within seconds.

A rental gives you access to the film for 24 to 48 hours after you first press play, not from the moment you rent it. If you rent on Monday but do not watch until Wednesday, your 24 hours starts Wednesday. Once the rental period ends, the film disappears from your phone and your library. A purchase is permanent — you own the rights to watch that film on any Apple device signed into your Apple ID, and the download stays on your phone until you delete it.

Purchased films sync across your devices. If you buy a film on your iPhone, you can watch it on your iPad, Mac, or Apple TV without buying it again. Rentals do not sync — a rental on your iPhone stays only on your iPhone. Both purchases and rentals download in the quality available in your region; newer films often offer 4K options at a higher price, while older films may only be available in standard definition.

Transferring films from another Apple device using AirDrop

If you have a film on your Mac or iPad and want to move it to your iPhone, you can use AirDrop. The film must be in a format your iPhone recognizes — MP4, MOV, and M4V are the most common. On the device with the film, open the file in Finder (Mac) or Files app (iPad), tap and hold the film, select "Share", then choose "AirDrop" and select your iPhone from the list.

Your iPhone will receive a notification asking whether to accept the transfer. Tap "Accept", and the film will download to your iPhone's Files app or Photos app depending on the file type. From there, you can open it in the Apple TV app or any other video player app you have installed. This method works only if both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and Bluetooth is enabled on both.

AirDrop transfers can be slow for large files — a 3-gigabyte film might take 10 to 20 minutes depending on your Wi-Fi speed. If the transfer fails or stalls, try moving the devices closer together or restarting AirDrop by turning Bluetooth off and on again on both devices.

Managing storage and download settings

Downloaded films take up space on your iPhone, and that space is permanent until you delete the files. Check how much storage you have left by opening Settings, tapping "General", then "iPhone Storage". You will see how much space is used and how much is available. If you are running low, delete old downloads by opening the app where you downloaded them, finding the film in your library, and selecting "Delete Download" or a similar option.

Some apps let you choose the quality of the download to save space. Netflix, for example, has a "Download Quality" setting in the app menu where you can choose between "Standard" (uses less space) and "High" (uses more space). Lower quality downloads are faster and take up less room, but the picture will not be as sharp on a larger screen. If you plan to watch on your iPhone's screen, standard quality is usually fine; if you plan to connect to a TV, high quality is worth the extra space.

You can also set your iPhone to automatically delete old downloads to free up space. Some apps offer this as an option in their settings — Netflix, for example, can automatically delete a film after you finish watching it. Check the app's settings menu to see whether this feature is available and turn it on if you want to save space.

Troubleshooting downloads that fail or get stuck

If a download stalls or fails, the most common fix is to force-close the app and try again. On an iPhone with Face ID, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find the app, swipe up on it to close it, then open it again and retry the download. On an iPhone with a home button, double-tap the home button, find the app, swipe up on it, then open it again.

If the download still fails, check that you have enough storage space on your phone and that you are connected to Wi-Fi. Most apps require a Wi-Fi connection to download films — they will not download over cellular data to avoid using up your phone plan. If you are on Wi-Fi but the download is still failing, try restarting your phone by holding the power button, sliding to power off, waiting 10 seconds, then pressing the power button again to turn it back on.

If a film is stuck downloading and will not complete or cancel, try deleting the partial download and starting over. In the app, find the film in your library, tap and hold it, and select "Delete Download" or "Remove". Wait a few seconds, then try downloading again. If the problem persists across multiple films, the issue may be with the app itself — try updating it through the App Store or deleting and reinstalling it.

Understanding file formats and compatibility

Your iPhone can play films in several formats, but the most common are MP4, MOV, and M4V. If you have a film in a different format — like AVI, MKV, or WMV — your iPhone will not play it directly. You will need to convert it to MP4 or MOV first using a converter app or a computer program like HandBrake (free, available for Mac and Windows).

Films you buy or rent through the Apple TV app are always in a format your iPhone supports, so you do not need to worry about compatibility. Films you download from subscription services are also pre-formatted for your phone. The compatibility issue only comes up if you are transferring a film from another device or downloading from a website.

Some video player apps, like VLC (free) or Infuse (free and paid versions), can play more formats than the built-in Apple TV app. If you have a film in an unsupported format, installing one of these apps may let you play it without converting. Open the Files app, find the film, tap it, and select "Open in" to choose which app to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download films to my iPhone if I do not have Wi-Fi?

Most apps require Wi-Fi to download films to save your cellular data. Some services may let you download over cellular if you change the setting in the app, but this will use your phone plan's data and is not recommended unless you have unlimited data. Check the app's settings to see whether this option is available.

What happens to my downloaded films if I cancel my subscription?

Downloaded films from subscription services like Netflix and Disney+ will no longer play once your subscription ends, even though the files remain on your phone taking up space. You can delete them to free up storage. Films you purchase through Apple TV+ stay playable as long as you have an Apple ID, even if you cancel any subscriptions.

How long does it take to download a film?

Download speed depends on your Wi-Fi connection and the film's file size. A 2-gigabyte film on a typical home Wi-Fi network takes 5 to 15 minutes. Slower Wi-Fi or larger files can take 30 minutes or more. Most apps let you start watching before the download finishes.

Can I download the same film to multiple iPhones?

Films you purchase through Apple TV+ can be downloaded to any iPhone, iPad, or Mac signed into your Apple ID. Films you rent are tied to the device where you rented them and cannot be transferred. Subscription service downloads are tied to the account and device — you can download the same film to multiple devices if you are signed into the same account on each one.

Do downloaded films use my iPhone's battery faster?

Playing a downloaded film uses roughly the same battery as streaming it, since your screen is on either way. Downloading itself uses very little battery. If you are concerned about battery life while watching, lower your screen brightness or enable Low Power Mode in Settings.