Hulu downloads work differently depending on your subscription plan
You can download shows and movies on Hulu, but only if you have a Hulu (With Ads) or Hulu (No Ads) subscription. The ad-supported plan and the ad-free plan both include downloads. If you have Hulu as part of the Disney Bundle, you get downloads too — but the basic Disney Bundle tier includes the ad-supported Hulu plan. The Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV and Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV plans also allow downloads.
Downloads are not available on the free trial version of Hulu, and they are not available if you have Hulu through a third-party service like Costco or a mobile carrier plan. Check your account page under "Plan Details" to confirm which plan you have.
Once you confirm you have a plan that includes downloads, you can store shows and movies on your phone or tablet to watch without an internet connection. Downloaded content stays on your device for a limited time — usually 30 days from when you download it, though some titles expire sooner.
Key Takeaways
- Hulu (With Ads) and Hulu (No Ads) both include the ability to download shows and movies to your phone or tablet.
- Not every title on Hulu can be downloaded — availability depends on licensing agreements with studios.
- Downloaded content expires after 30 days, or sooner for some titles, and you must refresh your subscription to keep watching.
- The Hulu app on your phone or tablet is where you download; you cannot download on a web browser or on a TV device.
How to download a show or movie on your phone or tablet
Open the Hulu app on your iOS or Android device. Search for the title you want to download or navigate to it through the menu. Tap the title to open its detail page.
Look for a download icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow or a cloud with an arrow. On some titles, this icon appears next to the play button. On others, you may need to tap the three-dot menu icon and select "Download" from the options that appear. If you do not see a download option, that title is not available for download due to licensing restrictions.
Tap the download icon. The app will begin downloading the episode or movie to your device. You can watch your downloads in the "Downloads" tab at the bottom of the Hulu app, even when you have no internet connection.
Which shows and movies can you download
Not every title in the Hulu catalog can be downloaded. Whether a show or movie is available for download depends on the licensing agreement between Hulu and the studio or network that owns it. Some studios allow downloads; others do not. There is no way to know in advance except to open the title and look for the download icon.
Original Hulu series — shows made by Hulu itself — are usually available for download. Popular licensed shows like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and Abbott Elementary are typically downloadable. Movies vary widely. Live TV content and sports cannot be downloaded.
If a title you want is not downloadable, you cannot work around this restriction. The download option is controlled by the studio, not by Hulu or your subscription plan.
How long downloads stay on your device
Downloaded content expires after a set period. For most titles, you have 30 days from the download date to watch the content. After 30 days, the file is automatically deleted from your device, and you must download it again if you want to watch it offline.
Some titles have shorter expiration windows — occasionally 7 days or less. When you download something, Hulu shows you the expiration date on the download details page. Check this before you download if you are planning to watch it on a specific trip or date.
You must also refresh your Hulu subscription regularly. If your subscription lapses or you cancel, your downloads will no longer play, even if they have not expired yet. Once you resubscribe, you can download the content again.
Storage space and managing your downloads
Downloaded files take up space on your phone or tablet. A typical TV episode uses between 300 MB and 1 GB of storage, depending on video quality and length. A movie typically uses 1 to 3 GB. Before downloading a lot of content, check how much free space you have on your device.
You can delete downloads manually at any time. Open the Hulu app, go to the "Downloads" tab, find the title, and swipe left (on iOS) or long-press (on Android) to delete it. Deleting a download does not cancel your subscription — you can download it again later.
If your device runs low on storage, Hulu may automatically delete older downloads to make room for new ones, though you can prevent this by manually managing your downloads.
Downloading on different devices
You can only download content using the Hulu app on a phone or tablet — either iOS or Android. You cannot download through the Hulu website on a computer, and you cannot download to a TV device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick.
If you want to watch Hulu offline on a computer, you would need to download on a phone or tablet first, then watch on that device. Some people use screen recording software to capture content, but this violates Hulu's terms of service and may violate copyright law depending on your location.
You can watch your downloads on any device where you are signed into your Hulu account, as long as that device supports downloads. If you download on your iPhone, you can watch those downloads on that iPhone or on an iPad where you are signed in, but not on a different person's phone.
Troubleshooting download problems
If the download icon does not appear on a title, the content is not available for download. This is not a technical problem — it is a licensing restriction. Try a different title instead.
If a download starts but does not finish, check your internet connection. Downloads require a stable connection to complete. Once the download is finished, you can watch offline. If the download keeps failing, try closing the Hulu app completely and opening it again, or restart your device.
If you see a message that your download has expired, you have reached the 30-day limit. Download the title again if you want to watch it. If you see a message that your subscription is not valid, your Hulu plan has lapsed. Resubscribe to use your downloads again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Hulu content on my computer?
No. The Hulu app on computers does not have a download feature. You can only download using the Hulu app on a phone or tablet running iOS or Android. If you need to watch Hulu offline on a computer, you would need to download on a phone or tablet first and watch there instead.
What happens to my downloads if I cancel my subscription?
Your downloads will stop playing immediately when your subscription ends. The files remain on your device, but they are locked and unusable. If you resubscribe later, you can download the content again and watch it.
Can I share my downloads with someone else?
No. Downloads are tied to your Hulu account and the device they are downloaded to. Someone else cannot watch your downloads unless they are signed into your Hulu account on that device, which would violate Hulu's terms of service.
Why does the download icon not appear on some shows?
The studio or network that owns the show has not granted Hulu permission to allow downloads. This is a licensing decision, not a technical limitation. You cannot download that content, but you can still stream it online if you have an internet connection.
How much storage do I need for downloads?
Most TV episodes use 300 MB to 1 GB each, and movies typically use 1 to 3 GB. If you want to download an entire season, plan for several gigabytes of free space. Check your device's storage settings to see how much space is available before downloading large amounts of content.