Hulu's download feature lets you save movies and TV episodes to your device to watch without an internet connection
Hulu offers a download option, but it works differently depending on which subscription plan you have and what device you're using. Not every show or movie can be downloaded — Hulu's licensing agreements with studios limit what's available offline. The feature is built into the Hulu app on phones, tablets, and some streaming devices, and downloads expire after a set period or when your subscription ends.
The download button appears directly in the Hulu app when a title is available for offline viewing. You tap or click it, the app downloads the file to your device's storage, and you can watch it later in the Hulu app even without internet. The process takes a few minutes depending on file size and your connection speed.
Key Takeaways
- Downloads are available on the Hulu mobile app (iOS and Android) and on some Fire TV and Roku devices, but not on web browsers or Apple TV.
- Not all content can be downloaded — the download button only appears for titles Hulu's licensing agreements permit, which varies by studio and region.
- Downloaded files stay on your device until you delete them or until 30 days pass without opening the Hulu app, whichever comes first.
- Your subscription must remain active for downloaded content to play; downloads stop working if your subscription ends or if you cancel your account.
Which devices support Hulu downloads
The Hulu app on iPhones and iPads (iOS 13 or later) and Android phones and tablets (Android 5.0 or later) both support downloads. On streaming devices, Fire TV devices and Roku devices allow downloads, but Apple TV, Google TV, and Chromecast do not. You cannot download from the Hulu website — the feature only exists in the mobile and streaming device apps.
Downloaded files take up storage space on your device. A typical TV episode uses 300 MB to 1 GB depending on video quality, and a movie can use 1 GB to 4 GB. Check your device's available storage before downloading multiple titles, especially on phones where space fills quickly.
How to download a movie or show on your phone or tablet
Open the Hulu app and find the movie or episode you want to download. Tap the title to open its details page. Look for a download icon — it usually appears as a downward-pointing arrow or a cloud with a down arrow. Tap it, and the app begins downloading the file to your device. A progress bar shows the download status.
Once the download finishes, the download icon changes to show a checkmark or filled circle. You can now watch that episode or movie offline by opening it in the Hulu app without an internet connection. To download an entire season, open the show's page, find the season, and look for a download option for the whole season — the app downloads all episodes in that season one after another.
How to download on Fire TV and Roku devices
On Fire TV, navigate to the title you want to download using your remote. Highlight the title and press the select button to open its details. Look for the download option on the details screen and select it. The device downloads the file to its internal storage. You watch downloaded content the same way — open the Hulu app, find the title, and select it to play.
Roku devices work similarly: navigate to the title, open its details page, and select the download option. The download happens in the background, and you can continue using the device. Both Fire TV and Roku show your downloaded content in a "Downloads" or "Offline" section within the Hulu app for easy access.
Why some titles don't have a download option
Hulu's licensing agreements with studios and networks determine which content can be downloaded. A studio might allow downloads for some shows but not others, or might allow downloads in some regions but not yours. Newer releases and exclusive content are more likely to have download restrictions. Older shows and library content are more likely to be downloadable.
If a title doesn't show a download button, that means Hulu doesn't have permission to let you download it. There's no way to unlock downloads for restricted titles — you can only stream them with an active internet connection. This is why you might see a download option for one season of a show but not another.
How long downloads stay on your device
Downloaded content expires after 30 days of not opening the Hulu app, or when your subscription ends, whichever comes first. If you open the Hulu app once every 30 days, your downloads remain available indefinitely as long as your subscription is active. The app doesn't delete downloads automatically — the 30-day timer resets each time you open it.
If your subscription lapses or you cancel, all downloaded content becomes unwatchable immediately, even if the files are still on your device. You can manually delete downloads at any time to free up storage space. In the Hulu app, find the downloaded title, tap or click the download icon again, and select "Remove Download" or similar wording depending on your device.
Storage and quality settings for downloads
The Hulu app on phones and tablets usually lets you choose download quality before saving a file. Higher quality uses more storage space but looks sharper on your screen. Lower quality saves storage but may look blurry on larger screens. Check your app settings — on iOS, go to Settings within the Hulu app and look for "Download Quality"; on Android, the option is usually in the app's main settings menu.
Some devices let you choose where downloads are stored. On Android phones, you might be able to save downloads to an SD card instead of internal storage if your phone has one. Check your device's storage settings and the Hulu app settings to see what options are available. Streaming devices like Fire TV and Roku typically save downloads to their built-in storage with no option to change the location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download movies and shows on my computer?
No. Hulu's website does not offer a download feature. Downloads are only available in the mobile app (iOS and Android) and on Fire TV and Roku devices. If you want to watch Hulu offline on a computer, you would need to use a mobile device or streaming device instead.
What happens to my downloads if I pause my subscription?
Downloaded content stops playing if your subscription is paused or inactive. The files remain on your device, but the Hulu app won't let you watch them until you reactivate your subscription. Once you resubscribe, your downloads work again immediately.
Can I share downloaded content with someone else?
No. Downloaded files are tied to your Hulu account and device. Someone else cannot watch your downloads on a different device or account. Each person who wants to watch offline needs their own Hulu subscription and must download content to their own device.
Do downloads use my internet data?
Downloads use data while the file is being downloaded to your device, but once the download finishes, watching that content uses no data. This is the main reason to download — so you can watch later without using your mobile data plan.
Why did my download disappear?
Downloads expire after 30 days without opening the Hulu app, or immediately if your subscription ends. If you haven't opened Hulu in more than a month, the app automatically removed the download. If your subscription lapsed, all downloads became unwatchable. Check your subscription status and try opening the Hulu app regularly to keep downloads active.