The basic steps to download a Netflix show
On Netflix, you download a show by opening the title, tapping or clicking the download icon (usually a downward arrow), and waiting for the files to save to your device. The show then appears in a "Downloads" section you can watch without an internet connection. The whole process takes seconds, though the actual download time depends on how many episodes you're saving and your internet speed.
Netflix limits downloads to phones and tablets — you cannot download on a web browser or smart TV. The app must be the official Netflix app from your device's app store, not a web version. Once downloaded, shows stay on your device until you manually remove them or until Netflix's license to stream them expires, which can happen without warning.
Key Takeaways
- Downloads work only on phones and tablets using the official Netflix app, not on computers or smart TVs.
- You tap the download icon next to a show title, and Netflix saves it to your device's storage for offline viewing.
- Downloaded shows expire when Netflix loses the right to stream them, which can happen at any time.
- Storage space fills quickly with downloads — a single season can use 1 to 4 gigabytes depending on video quality.
- You can set Netflix to download automatically over Wi-Fi when you add shows to your list, so you don't have to remember to do it manually.
Where to find the download button
On the Netflix app, open any show or movie you want to download. Below the title, you'll see a row of icons. The download icon looks like a downward-pointing arrow and sits next to the share button and the "My List" heart. Tap it once, and Netflix begins saving the file to your phone or tablet.
If you don't see a download icon, that title cannot be downloaded — Netflix restricts downloads on some licensed content. The icon will be grayed out or missing entirely. This happens because the studio or network that owns the show has not given Netflix permission to offer offline viewing.
How much storage space downloads use
A single episode typically uses 300 megabytes to 1 gigabyte, depending on the video quality you choose. A full season of a half-hour show might take 3 to 6 gigabytes. A season of an hour-long drama can easily reach 10 gigabytes or more. Before you download several seasons, check how much free space your phone or tablet has.
You can control storage use by changing the download quality in your Netflix settings. Go to Account, then App Settings, then Download Quality. Netflix offers "Standard" (lower quality, smaller files) or "High" (better picture, larger files). Switching to Standard can cut file size in half, though the picture will be noticeably softer on larger screens.
Setting up automatic downloads
Netflix can download new episodes automatically as they release, so you don't have to remember to do it yourself. Go to your account settings, select "Downloads," and turn on "Auto-Download." Then add a show to your list. When a new episode becomes available, Netflix will download it automatically if you're connected to Wi-Fi and your device has enough storage.
Auto-download only works over Wi-Fi, not on cellular data, so Netflix won't eat into your phone plan. If your device runs out of storage, auto-download pauses until you delete some files. You can turn off auto-download for individual shows by opening the show, tapping the menu (three dots), and selecting "Turn Off Auto-Download."
How long downloads stay on your device
Downloaded shows remain on your device until you delete them or until Netflix loses the streaming license. When Netflix loses the right to stream a title, any downloads of that show automatically disappear from your device — you cannot watch them even though they're technically still stored there. Netflix does not always announce when this happens, so a show you downloaded might vanish without warning.
You control how long a download stays by deleting it yourself. Open the Downloads section, find the show, and swipe left (on iPhone) or long-press (on Android) to delete it. You can also delete individual episodes without removing the whole season. Deleting a download frees up storage space immediately and does not affect your ability to stream the show later if you have internet.
Watching downloaded shows offline
Open the Netflix app and tap the Downloads tab at the bottom of the screen (on phones) or in the menu (on tablets). Your downloaded shows appear here. Tap any show to play it. You do not need internet to watch — the video plays directly from your device's storage. If you lose internet mid-episode, playback continues without interruption.
Downloaded shows play in the same video player as streamed content, so you can pause, rewind, and adjust subtitles the same way. Netflix remembers where you stopped watching, so if you close the app and come back later, the episode picks up where you left off. This works whether you're online or offline.
Troubleshooting downloads that won't work
If the download button is missing or grayed out, Netflix has not made that title available for offline viewing. This is a licensing restriction, not a technical problem, and there's no way around it. Some studios allow downloads; others do not. Check whether a different show from the same genre is downloadable to confirm your app is working.
If a download starts but stalls, check your internet connection and make sure you have at least 500 megabytes of free storage. Close other apps running in the background, as they can slow the download. If the problem persists, try deleting the partial download and starting over. Open the Downloads section, find the incomplete file, and delete it, then tap the download icon again.
If a downloaded show suddenly disappears, Netflix likely lost the license to stream it. You cannot recover it, but you can watch other seasons or similar shows instead. Check your Downloads section to see what's still available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Netflix shows on my computer or smart TV?
No. Netflix only allows downloads on phones and tablets using the official app. You cannot download on a web browser, Windows PC, Mac, or smart TV. If you want to watch offline on other devices, you would need to use a different streaming service that supports those platforms.
What happens to my downloads if I cancel my Netflix subscription?
Downloaded shows stop working immediately when your subscription ends. The files remain on your device, but Netflix locks them so they cannot play. If you resubscribe later, the downloads unlock again, though Netflix may have lost the license to some titles in the meantime.
Can I transfer downloaded shows to another device?
No. Downloads are tied to the device and the Netflix account that created them. You cannot move a download to another phone or tablet, and you cannot share downloads with another person's account. Each person must download shows on their own device using their own Netflix login.
How do I know if a show will expire before I finish watching it?
Netflix does not tell you in advance when a show will leave the service. You can check the "Coming Soon" or "Leaving Soon" sections in the app to see titles with known end dates, but not all expiring content is listed there. The safest approach is to download shows you plan to watch soon rather than storing them for months.
Does downloading use my internet data plan?
Yes, downloads use your data. If you're on a limited cellular plan, download only over Wi-Fi. You can set Netflix to download only on Wi-Fi in the app settings so it never uses cellular data without your permission.