This guide explains how to download movies from Netflix for offline playback. Being able to binge watch everything is great and we all love Netflix and relaxation, but how are you going to watch your shows if you have a long flight or no WiFi? You can download and play Netflix movies and TV shows on your Android, iPhone, Windows device and more. without internet.
Note that Netflix doesn’t allow us to access its entire catalog for offline playback, but it’s more than enough to keep you entertained no matter the occasion. So, run the app, choose the download quality and get started by following our quick video guide or step-by-step instructions below.
How to Download Netflix Movies and TV Shows for Offline Playback
To get started, simply watch our video or click the “Downloads” column at the bottom of the Netflix app. From here, you can start browsing the entire catalog of downloadable movies and TV shows.
However, before you do that, we recommend choosing your first one before you start searching for shows to watch without WiFi.
Netflix offers two quality levels for downloads: Standard and High. While they don’t say whether the HD is 720p or 1080p, it looks great on phones, iPad, and even my 12-inch Chromebook. I download the shows on Standard, which is probably somewhere in DVD quality. This saves time and space as the files are not that large.
Once you have chosen the download quality and location like a microSD card, you are ready to download Netflix movies and TV shows to your device.
Alternatively, you can look for the download button while browsing the catalog like you do regularly. Pressing the “Find more downloads” option filters out content that Netflix has not yet offered to download. Makes it easy to browse and find shows you know you can save for later.
Scroll to or tap again the downloads column at any time; You will see your entire list of movies and shows on the device. Click to watch everything your heart desires.
How Many Netflix Movies or Shows Can I Download?
The number of movies or TV shows you can download depends on the quality you choose and how much storage you have on your device. A typical 2-hour movie uses about 400-500 MB as standard. So two movies per 1GB of free space on your phone or tablet.
I downloaded the entire hit series Stranger Things to watch at my family cottage in the woods this summer. The first episode is 48 minutes long and occupied 197MB in Standard quality and 310MB in High. And the entire season took up less than 2GB total in Standard quality, which looks great.
I also have a MicroSD card in my Galaxy S20 so space is not an issue. If you’re watching on a larger or more selective screen than me, you’ll want to download in high quality. Make sure you do this on a home WiFi connection as it will use up a lot of data. Then you will be ready later when there is no internet.
Other details
Remember, the entire Netflix library cannot be downloaded offline. Anything extremely new or popular will not be an immediate option. Plus, over time, downloadable movies and shows come and go, just like a regular library.
If you don’t want to search forever for something to download, search for a Netflix Originals movie or show. You can count on those available for almost instant offline playback.
In closing, you can go to More > App Settings at any time and delete your entire collection of downloads to make room on your device for another show like Altered Carbon.
