By
Luke Dormehl Writer
Updated

Whether you're taking a trip with limited internet access or you're trying to minimize your data usage while away from home, downloading your favorite shows and movies from Netflix can be a huge help. 

Though some content isn't eligible for downloading on Netflix, many titles can be downloaded simply by finding the show you want and clicking a simple icon. Let's go over how to download Netflix titles from your phone, computer, or other device.

Which devices can download Netflix? 


You can download TV shows and movies from Netflix to almost any PC or mobile device that's compatible with the official Netflix app. This includes:

  • iPhones and iPads running iOS 9 or later
  • Android smartphones and tablets running Android 4.4.2 or later
  • Windows 10 tablets and computers running version 1607 (Anniversary Update) or later 

The feature is also supported on Amazon Fire tablets running Fire OS 4.0 or later and on select Chromebook and Chromebox devices.

It is not currently possible to download Netflix content to macOS, Linux, and other desktop platforms or to smart TV platforms like Android TV and tvOS.

How to download Netflix titles to a computer


Although it's possible to access Netflix on almost any computer using a modern web browser, Windows 10 is the only desktop platform that has an official Netflix app. This makes Windows 10 the only desktop platform that allows users to download movies and TV shows for offline viewing. Unfortunately, this also means no download feature is available for Mac users.

How to download Netflix movies to a PC

To download Netflix videos to your Windows 10 device, follow these steps:

  1. Download the Netflix app for free from the Microsoft Store.
  2. Open the app and sign in to your Netflix account (you must have a valid Netflix subscription).
  3. Find the movie or TV show you want to download.
  4. Click the download icon alongside the movie or episode you want to store offline.

How to download Netflix movies to a phone or tablet


Netflix offers much broader offline content support on mobile devices than desktops. As long as you're using a modern mobile device that runs Android, iOS, or Fire OS, you shouldn't have any problems.

How to download Netflix movies to an iPhone or iPad

To download Netflix content on iPhone or iPad:

  1. Download the Netflix app for free from the App Store.
  2. Open the app and sign in to your Netflix account (you must have a valid Netflix subscription).
  3. Find the movie or TV show you want to download.
  4. Tap the download icon alongside the movie or episode you want to store offline.

How to download Netflix to an Android device

Downloading Netflix movies and shows to Android devices is quite simple:

  1. Download the Netflix app for free from the Google Play Store.
  2. Open the app and sign in to your Netflix account (you must have a valid Netflix subscription).
  3. Find the movie or TV show you want to download.
  4. Tap the download icon alongside the movie or episode you want to store offline.

How to download Netflix shows to a Fire tablet

Amazon Fire tablets can also download Netflix movies and shows. To do so:

  1. Download the Netflix app for free from the Amazon App store.
  2. Open the app and sign in to your Netflix account (you must have a valid Netflix subscription).
  3. Find the movie or TV show you want to download.
  4. Tap the download icon alongside the movie or episode you want to store offline.

How much data do I need to download Netflix movies?


Being able to download Netflix movies wherever you are is great news. But you should first make sure that you know how much data you'll use before you churn through your total monthly allowance.

Standard definition (SD) content uses roughly 1GB per hour of video you're downloading (e.g., you'd spend around 2GB for a two-hour movie), while high definition (HD) content uses up to 3GB per hour. So, a two-hour movie in full HD will use around 6GB of data—and 6GB of storage space on your device. A 30-minute TV episode in full HD will use around 1.5GB.

The optimal solution is to download Netflix content using a Wi-Fi connection, especially if you're on a limited data plan. To minimize the amount of data and storage you use, you can adjust your download settings by following the steps below.

How to adjust your Netflix download settings

  1. Open the Netflix app on your chosen device.
  2. Tap or click the More tab, then select App Settings.
  3. Select Download Video Quality, then choose either Standard or High.

In the same App Settings menu, you'll find an option labeled Download Location. Here, you can see where your Netflix downloads are stored. If you want to change the download location, perhaps to save your movies and TV shows to a MicroSD card or flash drive, simply tap this option and select a new save folder.

What shows and movies can I download from Netflix?


Not all Netflix movies and TV shows are available to download for offline viewing. Some, usually from certain networks, can only be streamed when you're connected to the internet. However, all Netflix Original shows and movies—including hits like Stranger Things, Cobra Kai, Bridgerton, and The Witcher—are available to download to your device for offline viewing.

The easiest way to tell if the movies or TV shows you want to watch are available to download is to find them in the Netflix app. Once you look them up, see if the download icon appears next to the titles. If it's there, the content is available to download; if it's not, you won’t be able to save the show or movie offline.

Best phone and internet plans for downloading Netflix


If you plan to download Netflix movies and shows over a data connection rather than Wi-Fi, you'll need a plan with a generous allowance—or, preferably, no data limit at all. 

When it comes to internet packages, a good option is Spectrum's Internet 300Mbps plan. This plan offers unlimited data with max download speeds of up to 300Mbps, which works well for streaming and downloading, for only /month. However, be aware that this price increases after 12 months of service, which is common among internet plans. 

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On the cell phone side, most carriers offer unlimited data plans that allow you to download as much as you like without worry. T-Mobile also includes Netflix for free as part of its Experience More and Exprience Beyond. Note, however, that unlimited data plans tend to be more expensive than other cellular plans. 

T-Mobile
T-Mobile

Go5G

  • Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with 100GB of Premium Data
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get up to $800 via virtual prepaid MasterCard when you bring an eligible phone, activate a new line on select plans and port-in your number and switch from select carriers
$75.00/mo
with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees included
T-Mobile
T-Mobile

Experience More

  • Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with Unlimited Premium Data
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot data
$85.00/mo
with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees
T-Mobile
T-Mobile

Go5G Plus

  • Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with Unlimited Premium Data
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get up to $800 via virtual prepaid MasterCard when you bring an eligible phone, activate a new line on select plans and port-in your number and switch from select carriers
$90.00/mo
with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees included
T-Mobile
T-Mobile

Experience Beyond

  • Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with Unlimited Premium Data
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot data
$100.00/mo
with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees
T-Mobile
T-Mobile

Go5G Next

  • Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with Unlimited Premium Data
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get up to $800 via virtual prepaid MasterCard when you bring an eligible phone, activate a new line on select plans and port-in your number and switch from select carriers
$100.00/mo
with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees included

Mint Mobile's unlimited data plan is one of the most affordable at $30/per month, and it comes with a respectable monthly high-speed allowance of 40GB before your speeds drop to 3G. 

Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile

Unlimited Data Plan

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • 20GB mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get this plan for just $25/mo. when you switch to Mint Mobile using promo code 15OFF at checkout. Upfront payment required
$25.00/mo
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.

Netflix downloads: FAQ

Is it free to download Netflix movies?

As long as you have a valid Netflix subscription, downloading movies and shows for offline viewing won't cost you a penny extra.

How do I watch Netflix without Wi-Fi?

To watch Netflix without Wi-Fi, you'll need a connection of some kind—cellular or ethernet cable—to download the content initially. Once it's saved, however, you're free to enjoy it offline as much as you like.

Of course, if you run into any other problems with Netflix, check out our troubleshooting guide.

Does Netflix have a download limit?

Yes, the current download limit is up to 100 titles on a single device.

What does "watch offline" mean?

When you save Netflix shows and movies to watch offline, they are stored on your device, so you don't need an active internet connection to watch them.

When a title leaves Netflix, does my download get deleted?

Yes. If a title is removed from Netflix, it will expire on your device, regardless of when it was downloaded.

Can I watch Netflix on a plane?

Yes. The content you have downloaded from Netflix can be watched anywhere, even without an active internet connection. Just make sure you download the shows and movies you want to watch before you leave home.

How do I download Netflix movies to a flash drive?

To download Netflix content to a flash drive:

  1. Open the Netflix app on the device you're downloading to.
  2. Tap or click the More tab, then select App Settings.
  3. Select Download Location.
  4. Choose the flash drive or microSD card you want to save your content to.

Luke Dormehl

Writer