Stan lets you download episodes and films to your device, but only on the mobile app and only while your subscription is active
Stan is an Australian streaming service that works like Netflix or Disney+. You watch shows and films through an app or website. The download feature exists only in the Stan mobile app for iPhone and Android — you cannot download through the web version or on a computer. When you download something, it stays on your device until you delete it, but Stan checks your subscription status each time you open the app. If your subscription lapses, the downloaded content becomes unwatchable.
Downloads use storage space on your phone or tablet, so you need enough free space before you start. The amount depends on video quality and length — a one-hour episode might take 500 MB to 2 GB depending on whether you choose standard or high definition. Stan does not let you choose the quality of downloads the way some services do; the app picks the quality based on your device and available storage.
Key Takeaways
- Downloads work only in the Stan mobile app on iPhone or Android, not on computers or through the web version.
- You need an active Stan subscription to watch downloaded content — the app checks your account status each time you open it.
- Downloaded shows and films take up storage space on your device, typically 500 MB to 2 GB per hour of video.
- You can download multiple episodes of a series at once, and Stan shows you how much storage each download will use before you confirm.
How to download a show or film on Stan
Open the Stan app on your phone or tablet and find the show or film you want to download. Tap on the title to open its page. Look for a download icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow inside a circle. Tap that icon and the app will ask you to confirm. Stan will then begin downloading the content to your device.
For TV series, you can download individual episodes or entire seasons. When you tap the download icon on a series page, the app shows you options for which episodes to download. You can select one episode, a range of episodes, or the whole season. The app displays the storage size for each option before you confirm, so you know whether it will fit on your device.
Downloads happen in the background, so you can close the app or use your phone for other things while Stan downloads. The app shows a progress bar next to each title in your library. Once the download finishes, a checkmark appears next to the title, and you can watch it without an internet connection.
Where to find your downloads and how to watch them
Open the Stan app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom of the screen. Select "Downloads" from the menu. This shows you all the content you have downloaded, organized by show or film title. Tap any title to start watching. You do not need an internet connection to play downloaded content, though Stan will still check your subscription status when you open the app.
Downloaded episodes appear in the order they were released, so you can watch them in sequence. If you have downloaded multiple episodes of a series, the app remembers where you stopped watching and picks up from there the next time you open it. You can also rewind, fast-forward, and adjust subtitles and audio language the same way you would for streaming content.
Deleting downloads to free up storage space
Open the Stan app, go to the Downloads section, and find the title you want to delete. Swipe left on the title (on iPhone) or long-press it (on Android) until a delete option appears. Tap delete to remove the download from your device. The content stays in your Stan library — you can download it again later if you want to watch it.
If you need to free up storage space quickly, you can delete downloads in bulk. Some Android devices let you long-press multiple titles at once and delete them together. On iPhone, you may need to delete them one at a time. Deleting a download does not cancel your subscription or affect your account in any way.
What happens to downloads when your subscription ends
Downloaded content becomes unwatchable as soon as your subscription ends. Stan checks your account status every time you open the app, even if you are trying to watch something you downloaded weeks ago. If your subscription has lapsed, the app will not play the downloaded file, even though it still takes up storage space on your device.
If you resubscribe later, your downloads work again immediately. You do not have to re-download anything — Stan simply re-enables access to the files already on your device. If you want to free up space while your subscription is inactive, you can delete the downloads manually.
Troubleshooting downloads that fail or get stuck
Downloads sometimes fail if your internet connection drops or if you run out of storage space mid-download. If a download stalls, open the Downloads section, find the stuck title, and tap the download icon again. Stan will usually resume the download from where it left off rather than starting over.
If a download keeps failing, try closing the Stan app completely and reopening it. Make sure you have at least 1 GB of free storage space available — Stan needs this buffer to complete downloads reliably. If the problem continues, uninstall and reinstall the Stan app. This clears out any corrupted files that might be blocking the download.
Some titles may not be available for download due to licensing restrictions. If you tap the download icon and nothing happens, or if you see a message saying the title cannot be downloaded, that content is streaming-only. You can still watch it on Stan, but only with an active internet connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download Stan content on my computer or laptop?
No. The download feature works only on the Stan mobile app for iPhone and Android. The web version of Stan does not have a download option. If you want to watch Stan on a computer without internet, you would need to stream it while connected and cannot save it locally.
How long can I keep a download on my phone?
You can keep downloads as long as your subscription is active. Once your subscription ends, the downloads stop working even if the files are still on your device. If you resubscribe, they work again. You can delete downloads manually at any time to free up space.
Do downloads use my mobile data?
Yes, downloads use data from your mobile plan or WiFi connection. To avoid using mobile data, connect to WiFi before you start downloading. Once the download finishes, you can watch the content without using any data.
Can I download the same show on multiple devices?
Yes, if you have the Stan app on more than one phone or tablet and you are signed into the same account, you can download the same content to each device. Each download takes up storage space on that specific device.
What if I share my Stan account with someone else?
Stan allows multiple people to watch on the same account at the same time, depending on your subscription plan. Each person can download content to their own device using the shared account. Downloads on one device do not affect downloads on another device.