You can download Prime Video episodes directly to some smart TVs, but the process and availability depend on your TV model and the app version
Prime Video's download feature works on most modern smart TVs running Fire TV, Roku, Samsung, LG, or Android TV — but not all of them, and not always in the same way. The simplest route is through the Prime Video app itself: open the app, find the episode you want, look for a download icon (usually a downward arrow), and tap it. The episode saves to your TV's storage and plays without an internet connection.
The catch is that not every TV has enough built-in storage for downloads, and some TV models don't support downloads at all even if they run one of these operating systems. Before you start, check whether your specific TV model supports offline viewing by opening the Prime Video app and looking for a download button on any episode. If you don't see one, your TV doesn't support this feature.
Key Takeaways
- Download buttons appear in the Prime Video app on compatible smart TVs — look for a downward arrow icon next to the episode title.
- Fire TV devices, Roku TVs, Samsung TVs, LG TVs, and Android TV devices usually support downloads, but older models and some budget TVs do not.
- Downloaded episodes take up storage space on your TV, and that space fills up quickly if your TV has limited built-in storage.
- You can delete downloaded episodes from your TV at any time to free up space, and you can re-download them later as long as your Prime membership is active.
How to find and download an episode on your TV
Open the Prime Video app on your TV and navigate to the show or movie you want to download. Select the specific episode (not the whole season — you download one at a time). Look at the episode details screen for a download icon, which usually looks like a downward-pointing arrow. On some TVs it appears next to the play button; on others it's in a menu you access by pressing a button labeled "More" or represented by three dots.
Tap or select the download icon. The episode will begin downloading to your TV's storage. You'll see a progress indicator showing how much of the download is complete. Once it finishes, the icon usually changes to show a checkmark or the word "Downloaded." The episode is now saved on your TV and will play without an internet connection.
The download stays on your TV until you manually delete it. You can watch it as many times as you want while it's stored there, even if your internet goes down or you cancel your Prime membership (though you won't be able to re-download it after cancellation).
Which TV models and apps support downloads
Fire TV devices — Amazon's own streaming devices and Fire TV-powered TVs — have supported downloads since 2019. Roku TVs and Roku streaming devices added download support in 2020. Samsung and LG smart TVs that run their own operating systems added the feature more recently, but only certain models. Android TV devices vary depending on the manufacturer and when they were made.
Older TVs and budget models often don't support downloads even if they can run the Prime Video app. The only way to know for certain is to open the Prime Video app on your TV, find any episode, and look for a download button. If you don't see one anywhere, your TV doesn't support this feature.
If your TV doesn't support downloads but you want to watch Prime Video offline, your alternative is to download episodes to a phone or tablet instead, then watch them on that device. The Prime Video app on phones and tablets has supported downloads for years and works on both iPhones and Android phones.
Managing storage space on your TV
Downloaded episodes take up storage space on your TV, and that space is limited. A typical hour-long episode in standard definition uses about 500 MB to 1 GB of space. An hour in high definition uses 2 to 4 GB. If your TV has 8 GB or 16 GB of total storage (common on budget smart TVs), you can only fit a handful of episodes before you run out of room.
You can check how much storage space your TV has left by going into your TV's settings menu — the exact path varies by TV model, but it's usually under "Storage" or "Device Storage." If you're running low, delete downloaded episodes you've already watched. Open the Prime Video app, go to your downloads or library section, find the episode, and select "Delete" or "Remove Download."
Deleting an episode from your TV doesn't affect your Prime membership or your ability to watch it later. You can download it again anytime as long as you have an active Prime subscription and your TV has storage space available.
What to do if the download button doesn't appear
If you're looking at an episode in the Prime Video app and you don't see a download option, it could mean one of several things. First, check that you're signed into your Prime account — downloads only work for paid Prime members, not for free trial users or people watching with ads. Second, make sure your TV's app is up to date. Go to your TV's app store, find Prime Video, and check for updates.
Third, some content simply isn't available for download. This is usually older shows, licensed content with restrictions, or live events. If a specific episode won't download but others in the same show do, that particular episode has a download restriction.
If you've checked all of these and still don't see a download button on any episode, your TV model doesn't support downloads. In that case, you can download to a phone or tablet instead, or stream episodes on your TV using an internet connection.
Downloading to Fire TV devices and Fire TV Sticks
If you have a Fire TV device (like a Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Cube) connected to your TV, the download process is the same as on a Fire TV-powered TV. Open Prime Video, find your episode, tap the download arrow, and wait for it to finish. Fire TV devices typically have more storage than budget smart TVs, so you can usually fit more episodes before running out of room.
One advantage of using a Fire TV device is that you can move it between TVs. If you download episodes to a Fire TV Stick, you can unplug it from one TV and plug it into another, and all your downloads come with it. This doesn't work with downloads stored directly on a smart TV — those stay on that specific TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download a whole season at once?
No. Prime Video requires you to download episodes one at a time. There's no bulk download or "download all" option. If you want multiple episodes, you'll need to start each download separately.
Do downloaded episodes expire or stop working?
Downloaded episodes stay on your TV indefinitely until you delete them or your TV runs out of storage. However, if you cancel your Prime membership, you won't be able to watch them anymore — they become locked. If you reactivate your membership later, they unlock again.
What happens if I lose internet while watching a downloaded episode?
Nothing. Downloaded episodes play completely offline. Your internet can go down, your router can fail, or you can be in airplane mode — the episode will still play because it's stored on your TV, not streamed from Amazon's servers.
Can I move downloaded episodes from my TV to another device?
No. Downloaded episodes are tied to the specific TV or device they're downloaded to. You can't transfer them to a phone, tablet, or another TV. You can only download them separately to each device.
How long does it take to download an episode?
It depends on your internet speed and the episode's file size. A typical episode usually takes 5 to 15 minutes on a standard home internet connection. Slower connections or larger files take longer. You can start watching some episodes before the download finishes, depending on your TV model.