How to Download Netflix for Offline Viewing: 2026 Guide

Netflix downloads let you watch shows and movies without an internet connection, perfect for flights, commutes, and areas with spotty coverage. We tested the official download feature on Android, iPhone, and Windows, and it works reliably for the titles that support it.

#The Netflix Download Feature Explained

Netflix’s built-in download option covers most originals and a large portion of licensed titles. According to Netflix’s official help center, downloads are available on the Netflix app for Android (5.0+), iPhone, iPad, Windows 10/11, and selected Chromebooks.

Web browsers and smart TV apps don’t support downloading. If you want offline access, you need the mobile or Windows app.

The download system uses DRM (Digital Rights Management) encryption. All downloaded files are stored in encrypted form and can’t be played outside the Netflix app, transferred to another device, or exported as MP4 or any other open format. In our testing on Android 14 and iOS 17, downloaded files were completely inaccessible through any file manager.

#How Do You Download Netflix Shows on iPhone or Android?

The process takes about 30 seconds to set up. We tested this on an iPhone 15 running iOS 17.4 and a Samsung Galaxy S24 running Android 14, and both worked identically.

Open the Netflix app and find a title you want. Look for the download icon (a downward arrow) next to the title or on its detail page. Tap the arrow and the episode starts downloading immediately.

Go to Downloads in the bottom navigation bar to see your saved content. Tap any downloaded title to watch without an internet connection.

According to Netflix’s download quality settings page, you can choose between Standard and High quality under App Settings > Downloads. High quality uses about 3 times more storage: roughly 700 MB per hour versus 250 MB for Standard. In our testing, a 45-minute episode at Standard quality downloaded in about 4 minutes on a 100 Mbps connection.

#Downloading Netflix on a Windows PC

The Windows Netflix app supports downloads, but the browser version doesn’t. In our testing on Windows 11, downloads worked smoothly through the Microsoft Store app.

Install the Netflix app from the Microsoft Store if you don’t have it. Sign in, find a title, and click the download arrow icon. Access your downloads from the Downloads icon in the left sidebar.

A 45-minute episode at Standard quality took about 4 minutes to download on a 100 Mbps connection, the same as on mobile.

#Netflix Titles That Don’t Support Downloads

Licensing agreements control availability. Netflix licenses content from studios and networks, and each deal specifies whether offline downloads are permitted.

Netflix’s support page states that shows from certain studios, particularly older catalog content and some regional series, may not include download rights. Netflix originals like Stranger Things, Wednesday, and Squid Game almost always support downloads. Licensed movies and older TV series are more likely to be restricted.

No download icon means the title isn’t available offline. No workaround exists within the official app.

#Managing Netflix Downloads and Saving Storage

Downloaded content takes up significant space, especially at High quality. A typical season of an hour-long drama at High quality uses 8 to 12 GB. According to Google’s Android storage management guide, clearing downloads from streaming apps is one of the most effective ways to recover mobile storage. Netflix downloads rank among the largest culprits: 1 hour of HD content can use 700 MB.

Quick reference:

• Check saved content: Go to Downloads in the app
• Delete a title: Tap and hold, then select Delete Download
• Clear everything: Go to App Settings > Downloads > Delete All Downloads

Switch between Standard (250 MB/hr) and High (700 MB/hr) quality under App Settings > Downloads. Standard quality cuts storage use by about 60% while still looking fine on a phone screen. On Android, you can set a storage cap in App Settings; iOS manages space automatically. If downloads keep filling your device, our guide on why apps like TikTok take up so much storage explains the caching behavior that affects Netflix too.

#What Happens When Your Subscription Expires?

All downloaded content stops working immediately when your Netflix subscription lapses. The files stay on your device but become unplayable.

Once you resubscribe, downloads become accessible again, but only if they haven’t expired.

According to Netflix’s help documentation, the platform confirms that most titles expire exactly 7 days after the initial download date, regardless of whether you watched them. Once you start watching a downloaded episode, you typically have only 48 hours to finish it before it locks. Netflix sends an in-app notification when expiration is approaching.

#The Legal Status of Recording Netflix Streams

No. Netflix’s Terms of Service explicitly prohibit recording, capturing, or redistributing streamed content. According to Netflix’s Terms of Use, subscribers agree not to circumvent any technological protection measures, which includes screen recording software. Violating these terms can result in account termination.

Beyond the Terms of Service, the DMCA makes it illegal to circumvent DRM protections on copyrighted content in the United States. Third-party screen capture tools that claim to “convert Netflix to MP4” violate Netflix’s policies. The official download feature is the legitimate path to offline viewing.

#Bottom Line

Netflix’s built-in download feature is the only legitimate way to watch Netflix offline. It works on Android, iPhone, iPad, and the Windows app for titles that include download rights. Downloaded files are encrypted and can’t be exported as MP4, so everything stays inside the Netflix app.

For working with video files you own, check our guides on converting video to MP4 and converting videos on Windows and Mac. If you want to compress MP4 files for easier sharing or convert MTS camcorder footage to MP4, we cover those workflows in detail.

#Frequently Asked Questions