Hulu downloads work only on phones and tablets, not computers

Hulu lets you download TV shows and movies to your phone or tablet through the Hulu app, then watch them without an internet connection. Downloads are not available on computers, web browsers, or Hulu's streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV. The download feature works on iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets running reasonably recent software versions.

Not every show or movie on Hulu can be downloaded. The content available for download changes based on licensing agreements with studios, so a title you want may not have the download option even if it streams normally. Downloaded files stay on your device for a set period — usually 30 days from when you download them, though some titles expire sooner.

Key Takeaways

  • Downloads work only on the Hulu app for phones and tablets, not on computers, web browsers, or streaming devices.
  • Not all Hulu content can be downloaded; the download button appears only on titles that support it.
  • Downloaded shows and movies expire after 30 days, and you must re-download them to keep watching.
  • You need an active Hulu subscription to download, and the files take up storage space on your device.
  • Downloaded content plays only in the Hulu app and cannot be transferred to other apps or devices.

Steps to download a movie or show on Hulu

Open the Hulu app on your phone or tablet and find the movie or show you want to download. Tap or click on the title to open its detail page. Look for a download icon — usually a downward-pointing arrow or a cloud with a down arrow — next to the play button or in the menu options. Tap that icon to start the download.

The download begins immediately and shows a progress bar on the title's page. Depending on your internet speed and the length of the content, downloads can take anywhere from a few seconds for a short clip to several minutes for a full movie. Once the download finishes, a checkmark or "Downloaded" label appears on the title.

To watch a downloaded title, open the Hulu app and go to your profile menu or the "Downloads" section, usually found at the bottom of the app's main navigation. Select the downloaded content and tap play. The video plays from your device's storage, not from Hulu's servers, so you do not need an internet connection.

Storage space and expiration dates

Downloaded files use storage space on your phone or tablet. A typical TV episode takes 300 to 500 megabytes, and a movie can take 1 to 3 gigabytes depending on video quality. Check your device's available storage before downloading multiple titles, especially if you have limited space.

Downloaded content expires 30 days after you download it on most titles, though some may expire sooner based on the studio's licensing terms. When a download expires, the file is automatically deleted from your device, and you see a message saying the content is no longer available. You can download the same title again if you want to watch it after the expiration date.

What to do if the download button does not appear

If you cannot find a download icon on a title you want to save, that content is not available for download on Hulu. This happens because studios control which of their shows and movies can be downloaded, and not all titles have that permission. The title will still stream normally on any device, but you cannot save it for offline viewing.

Some titles become available for download later as licensing agreements change, so check back on a title you wanted if you see it again in the future. If you need to watch something specific offline and it is not available on Hulu, you may find it available for download through other services like iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, or Google Play.

Downloading across multiple devices

You can download the same show or movie on more than one device if you use the same Hulu account. Each download uses storage on that specific device, so a movie downloaded on your phone takes up space on your phone, and the same movie downloaded on your tablet takes up space on your tablet. Deleting a download from one device does not affect downloads on other devices.

If you switch phones or tablets, your downloads do not transfer automatically. You must download the content again on the new device. Downloaded files are stored locally on each device and are not synced across devices the way your watch history or saved shows are.

Download quality and video settings

Hulu typically downloads content at a standard quality that balances file size and picture quality. You cannot manually choose between high-definition or standard-definition downloads in the Hulu app — the app handles that automatically based on your device and available storage. Downloads generally look good on phone and tablet screens, though they may not be as sharp as the highest quality available when streaming.

If you want to save storage space, you can delete a download and re-download it later. There is no setting to reduce download quality further or to prioritize smaller file sizes over picture quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download Hulu content on my computer?

No. Hulu downloads work only on the mobile app for phones and tablets. Computers, web browsers, and streaming devices like Roku, Fire Stick, and Apple TV do not support downloads. If you need offline viewing on a computer, you would need to use a different service.

What happens when a download expires?

The file is automatically deleted from your device after 30 days, and you see a message that the content is no longer available. You can download it again at any time if you want to watch it. The expiration date resets each time you download the same title.

Can I share downloaded movies with someone else?

No. Downloaded files are stored on your device and tied to your Hulu account. You cannot transfer them to another person's phone, tablet, or account. The other person would need their own Hulu subscription and would need to download the content themselves on their own device.

Do I need internet to watch a downloaded show?

No. Once a download finishes, you can watch it completely offline without any internet connection. Your phone or tablet just needs to have the file stored locally. However, you do need an active Hulu subscription to download content in the first place.

Why is the download button missing from a show I want to save?

The studio that owns that content has not given Hulu permission to allow downloads. This is a licensing restriction, not a technical problem. The show will still stream normally on any device, but offline downloading is not an option for that particular title.