Prime Video lets you download shows and movies to your phone or tablet so you can watch them without an internet connection
Not every title on Prime Video can be downloaded — it depends on the licensing agreement with the studio. But most of what you watch regularly can be. Downloads stay on your device for a set number of days (usually 48 hours once you start watching, or 30 days if you haven't opened it yet), then they disappear automatically. You need the Prime Video app on your phone or tablet; the web version does not support downloads.
The process takes about 30 seconds per title and uses storage space on your device — a typical one-hour episode takes up roughly 300 to 500 megabytes, depending on video quality. Before you start, check that you have enough free space and that your device is connected to WiFi, since downloads over cellular data can be slow and eat into your phone plan.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Prime Video app, find the show or movie you want, and tap the download icon (usually a downward arrow) on the title page.
- Downloads are temporary — they expire after 30 days of not watching, or 48 hours after you start watching, whichever comes first.
- Not every title can be downloaded; if you do not see a download button, that title is not available for offline viewing.
- Downloaded content takes up storage space on your device, so delete old downloads if you are running low on space.
- You must stay signed into your Prime Video account for downloaded videos to play, even offline.
How to download a single episode or movie
Open the Prime Video app and search for the show or movie you want. Tap the title to open its page. Look for a downward-pointing arrow icon — this is the download button. On some devices it appears next to the play button; on others it is in a menu you access by tapping three dots or a similar icon. Tap the download button once.
The app will ask you to choose a video quality: Good, Better, or Best. Good uses the least storage (roughly 300 MB per hour) but looks grainier on a larger screen. Best uses the most storage (roughly 1 GB per hour) but looks sharper. Better is a middle ground. Choose based on how much free space you have and what size screen you will watch on. Once you choose, the download starts immediately.
You will see a progress bar showing the download percentage. This usually takes a few minutes over WiFi. Once it reaches 100 percent, the title is ready to watch offline. The download icon will change to show a checkmark or a filled-in arrow, indicating the download is complete.
How to download an entire season at once
If you want to download multiple episodes of a show, open the show's main page in the Prime Video app. Look for a "Download" button or option on the season you want — this is usually near the play button or in a menu. Tap it. The app will ask you to choose video quality, just as it does for single episodes.
Once you confirm, the app will begin downloading all episodes in that season. This can take 15 to 30 minutes depending on how many episodes there are and your WiFi speed. You can close the app and come back later; downloads continue in the background. Check the Downloads section of the app to see progress on all your active downloads.
Be aware that downloading an entire season uses a lot of storage — a 10-episode season at Best quality can take up 10 gigabytes or more. If your device does not have that much free space, choose Good or Better quality instead, or download episodes a few at a time.
Where to find and manage your downloads
On the Prime Video app home screen, look for a "Downloads" tab or menu option. This is usually at the bottom of the screen on phones or in a side menu on tablets. Tap it to see all your downloaded content. You will see how much storage each download is using and how many days remain before it expires.
To delete a download and free up space, find the title in your Downloads section and look for a trash icon or delete option. Tap it to remove the download from your device. The title will still be in your Prime Video library, so you can download it again later if you want.
If a download is expiring soon and you want to keep watching it, you can re-download it before the expiration date. The app will usually warn you a few days before a download expires, though the warning does not always appear on every device.
Troubleshooting downloads that will not start or complete
If a download will not start, first check that you are connected to WiFi and that the Prime Video app has permission to access your device's storage. On most phones, you can check app permissions in Settings. Look for the Prime Video app and make sure Storage is turned on.
If the download starts but gets stuck, try closing the Prime Video app completely and opening it again. This often clears temporary glitches. If it still does not work, restart your phone or tablet. If the problem persists, uninstall the Prime Video app, restart your device, and reinstall the app from your device's app store.
Some titles cannot be downloaded at all, even though they are available to stream. This is a licensing restriction set by the studio or content owner, not a problem with your device. If you do not see a download button on a title, that content is not available for offline viewing, and there is no way to download it.
How much storage space downloads use
Storage use depends on video quality and length. A one-hour episode at Good quality uses roughly 300 to 400 megabytes. The same episode at Better quality uses 600 to 800 megabytes. At Best quality, expect 900 megabytes to 1.2 gigabytes. Movies are longer, so they use proportionally more space — a two-hour movie at Best quality can easily use 2 to 3 gigabytes.
Before downloading, check how much free space your device has. On most phones, you can see this in Settings under Storage or About Phone. A good rule of thumb: keep at least 2 to 3 gigabytes free at all times, even after downloads, so your device has room to function properly.
If you are running low on space, delete downloads you have already watched or are no longer interested in. You can also lower the video quality setting for future downloads to use less space per title.
Watching downloaded content offline
Once a download is complete, open the Prime Video app and go to your Downloads section. Tap the title you want to watch. It will play just like a streamed video, but it uses no internet connection and no data from your phone plan. You can watch it anywhere — on a plane, in a car, or in an area with no signal.
You must stay signed into your Prime Video account for downloaded videos to play, even if you are offline. If you sign out of the app, your downloads will not work until you sign back in. This is a security measure to prevent sharing downloaded content with people who do not have a Prime Video subscription.
Downloaded videos play in the same player as streamed content, so you can pause, rewind, and fast-forward normally. You can also adjust subtitles and audio language if those options are available for that title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Prime Video content on my computer?
The Prime Video app for Windows and Mac does support downloads, but availability varies by region and device. Open the app, find a title, and look for the download icon. If you do not see one, downloads are not available for that title or your device does not support them.
What happens to my downloads if I cancel my Prime membership?
Downloaded videos will no longer play once your membership ends. The files stay on your device, but the app will not let you open them without an active subscription. If you resubscribe later, your downloads will work again.
Can I transfer downloaded videos to another device?
No. Downloads are tied to your device and your Prime Video account. You cannot copy them to a USB drive, send them to another phone, or move them between devices. If you want to watch on another device, you must download the content again on that device.
Why does the download button not appear on some titles?
Studios control whether their content can be downloaded. Some titles are only available to stream, not to download, due to licensing agreements. If a title does not have a download button, it cannot be downloaded through Prime Video.
How long can I keep a downloaded video?
Downloads expire automatically. If you do not watch a download within 30 days, it deletes itself. If you start watching, it expires 48 hours after you begin playback. You can re-download the same title as many times as you want before the expiration date.