Download Netflix Shows to Watch Without Wi-Fi
Netflix lets you download movies and shows to your phone or tablet to watch without internet — good for travel, road trips, or spotty service.
3 min read · 5 steps · Checked April 2026
Step 1. Open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet
Downloads only work in the Netflix app, not on a web browser. Make sure you are signed into your Netflix account. Your plan must be Standard ($15.49/month) or Premium ($22.99/month) — the ad-supported plan does not include downloads.
Step 2. Find a title to download
Browse or search for a movie or TV series you want. On the detail page, look for a download icon. It looks like an arrow pointing down into a line (↓). If you see this icon, the title is available to download. Tap the icon to start downloading.
Quick Tip
For TV series, you can download individual episodes or tap "Download Season" to save an entire season at once.
Step 3. Wait for the download to finish
The download progress appears as a circle filling in. Downloading over Wi-Fi is fastest and does not use your mobile data. You can continue browsing Netflix while it downloads in the background. A checkmark appears when the download is complete.
Warning
Downloading a full season or HD movie can use 1–5 GB of storage. Make sure your phone has enough free space.
Step 4. Watch your downloads offline
Tap the Downloads icon at the bottom of the Netflix app (it looks like an arrow pointing down). All your downloaded content appears here. Tap any title to start watching — no internet required.
Step 5. Manage your downloaded content
To delete a download and free up storage space, go to Downloads → tap the pencil/edit icon → select the titles to delete → tap Delete. Netflix will show you how much storage your downloads are using.
Quick Tip
Quick Tip: Download content before you travel so you have it ready. You cannot download once you are offline.
Netflix has a built-in feature that lets you download movies and TV shows directly to your phone or tablet. Once downloaded, you can watch them any time — even when you have no internet connection at all.
This is perfect for airplane flights, road trips, camping, or any situation where you know you will not have reliable Wi-Fi. It is also helpful if you have a limited data plan and want to avoid using mobile data while streaming.
Downloads are available on the Netflix app for iPhone, iPad, and Android. You cannot download to a computer through the browser. You need the mobile app.
Not every title on Netflix is available to download. Movies and shows with a download arrow icon (↓) next to them can be saved. Some content is only available to stream, not download, due to licensing agreements.
Downloads stay on your device until you delete them or Netflix's license expires (usually between 7 and 30 days after you download, depending on the title). If you have not started watching a downloaded title within 7 days of downloading it, it may expire.
You need a Standard or Premium Netflix plan to use downloads. The Standard with ads plan does not include downloads.
Official sources
- Netflix Help Center — help.netflix.com
Still stuck?
A real person can walk you through it over the phone.
Get help from a person