Download a movie directly to your device
To download a movie on Netflix, open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet, find the movie you want to watch, and tap the download icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow inside a circle. The movie will begin downloading to your device immediately. You do not need to be connected to WiFi, though downloading over cellular data will use your phone's data plan.
The download icon appears on the movie's detail page, next to the play button. On some phones it shows up only when you tap the three-dot menu. Once the download finishes, you will see a checkmark or filled circle where the download icon was. The movie is now stored on your device and ready to watch without an internet connection.
Downloaded movies stay on your device until you delete them or your Netflix subscription ends. Netflix automatically removes downloads after a certain period — usually 30 days for most titles, though some movies have shorter windows. You will see a countdown timer on the download showing how many days remain before Netflix removes it.
Key Takeaways
- The download icon is a downward arrow inside a circle on the movie's detail page, and tapping it starts the download immediately.
- Downloaded movies work offline without WiFi or cellular data, but Netflix removes them after 30 days or when your subscription ends.
- Your device needs enough storage space for the movie — Netflix shows the file size before you download.
- Netflix limits how many downloads you can have at once, and the limit depends on your subscription plan.
- Downloaded movies play only in the Netflix app; you cannot transfer them to other apps or devices.
Check your device storage before downloading
Movies take up space on your phone or tablet. Before you download, check how much free storage you have. Netflix shows the file size on the movie's detail page — tap the download icon or the three-dot menu to see it. A typical movie uses between 500 MB and 3 GB depending on the video quality and length.
If your device does not have enough space, delete other apps, photos, or videos first. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see what is using space. On Android, open Settings > Storage to check available space. Once you have freed up room, return to Netflix and tap the download icon again.
Understand download limits based on your plan
Netflix limits the number of movies and shows you can download at the same time. The limit depends on your subscription plan. Basic plans allow fewer simultaneous downloads than Premium plans. If you reach your limit, you must delete a downloaded title before you can download another one.
To delete a download, open the Downloads section in the Netflix app, find the movie, and tap the trash icon or delete option. The movie is removed from your device but remains in your Netflix account — you can download it again later. Deleting a download does not affect your subscription or your ability to stream the movie.
Download movies on WiFi to save data
Netflix allows downloads over WiFi or cellular data, but downloading over cellular uses your phone's data plan. A single movie download can use 500 MB to 3 GB of data depending on video quality. If you have a limited data plan, download movies only when connected to WiFi.
To set Netflix to download only on WiFi, open the app and go to Settings > Download > WiFi Only. This prevents accidental downloads over cellular. You can still manually download over cellular if you choose, but the setting stops automatic downloads when you are not on WiFi.
Watch your downloaded movie offline
Open the Netflix app and tap the Downloads section at the bottom of the screen. Your downloaded movies appear here. Tap the movie to play it. You do not need an internet connection — the movie plays directly from your device's storage.
Downloaded movies play only in the Netflix app. You cannot move them to another app, send them to another device, or watch them outside the Netflix app. If you uninstall Netflix or your subscription ends, the downloaded movies become unwatchable.
Troubleshoot downloads that are stuck or failing
If a download gets stuck or fails, first check your internet connection. If you are on WiFi, move closer to the router or restart it. If you are using cellular data, move to an area with stronger signal. Then return to the movie and tap the download icon again to restart the download.
If the download still fails, restart the Netflix app completely. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to close the app, then tap it again to reopen it. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Netflix > Force Stop, then open the app again. Try downloading the movie once more.
If the problem continues, check that you have enough storage space on your device. Netflix cannot download if your device is nearly full. Delete other files or apps, then try again. If downloads fail on multiple movies, uninstall and reinstall the Netflix app.
Know when downloads expire and what happens next
Netflix removes downloaded movies after a set period — usually 30 days, though some titles have shorter windows. You will see a countdown timer showing how many days remain. When the timer reaches zero, Netflix automatically deletes the download from your device.
If your Netflix subscription ends, all downloaded movies become unwatchable immediately, even if the countdown timer has not expired. The downloads remain on your device but the Netflix app will not play them. If you restart your subscription later, you can download the movies again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download movies on Netflix on my computer or laptop?
Netflix allows downloads on phones and tablets, but not on computers or laptops. The Netflix app for Windows and Mac does not include a download feature. If you want to watch Netflix offline on a computer, you must stream it while connected to the internet.
What happens if I download a movie and then cancel my Netflix subscription?
Downloaded movies stop working immediately when your subscription ends. The files remain on your device but the Netflix app will not play them. If you restart your subscription later, you can download the movies again.
Can I share downloaded movies with another person on a different device?
No. Downloaded movies play only in the Netflix app on the device where you downloaded them. You cannot transfer them to another phone, tablet, or person. Each person needs their own Netflix account and must download movies to their own device.
Does downloading a movie use the same data as streaming it?
Downloading uses roughly the same amount of data as streaming the movie once. A typical movie download is 500 MB to 3 GB. If you plan to watch the movie multiple times, downloading saves data because you watch it offline instead of streaming it again.
Why does the download icon not appear on some movies?
Netflix does not allow downloads on all titles due to licensing agreements with studios. If a movie does not have a download icon, that title is not available for offline viewing. You can only stream it while connected to the internet.