Offline downloads are the most underused feature in streaming. Both Netflix and Prime Video let you save movies and shows to your phone or tablet before a flight, a long commute, or a trip somewhere with unreliable internet, and then watch them with no connection at all. The setup takes a few minutes, and once you know the rules, it is hard to travel without it.

How to Download Movies on Netflix

Netflix supports downloads on most Android phones and tablets, iPhones, iPads, Amazon Fire tablets, and supported Chromebooks, through the official app. Open the app, find the movie or episode you want, and look for the download icon, usually a downward arrow, on the title page. To browse everything available, go to My Netflix, then Downloads, then See What You Can Download. Netflix allows up to 100 active downloads per device depending on your plan, and recommends using Wi-Fi to avoid mobile data charges. Once downloaded, the title plays with no internet connection at all.

How to Download Movies on Prime Video

Prime Video supports downloads on Fire tablets and through its apps on Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows 10 and 11. Open the app, go to the movie or episode page, and tap the Download option, then choose the quality before it starts. A Full HD movie typically takes between 1 and 4 GB of storage, while a standard-quality version may only need 300 MB to 1 GB, so check your free space first. One Prime Video quirk to know: offline downloads cannot be played through Chromecast or AirPlay, so watch them directly on the device you downloaded them to.

Expiry Dates, Quality and Storage Tips

Downloads do not last forever. On Netflix, unwatched downloads typically expire after 7 to 30 days depending on the title, and once you start watching, many titles must be finished within 48 hours. Some titles also limit how many times they can be downloaded in a year. Prime Video downloads usually expire after 30 days if unwatched, and can be renewed simply by downloading again. To manage storage, set your download quality to Standard for flights and short trips, and reserve High quality for films you really want to see at their best. Delete finished downloads promptly, turn on Wi-Fi-only downloads in settings, and reconnect to the internet at least once every 30 days so the app can verify your subscription. Do it the night before you travel, and you will never stare at a buffering wheel at 35,000 feet again.

Downloads on Other Services: Disney+, HBO Max and Apple TV

Netflix and Prime Video are not the only services with offline downloads. Disney+ lets you download most of its films and shows on phones and tablets, which is ideal for children on long journeys, because the whole Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars catalogue can travel with you. HBO Max also supports downloads on mobile devices, though the number of titles you can keep depends on your plan, and the ad-supported tier limits the feature. Apple TV supports downloads on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with excellent quality and generous storage options.

The rules are similar everywhere: downloads expire after a set period, usually 7 to 30 days unwatched and 48 hours after you start watching, and you must reconnect to the internet periodically so the app can verify your subscription. The practical tip is the same on every service: download the night before you travel, on Wi-Fi, at the quality that fits your storage. If you travel often, keep one service as your dedicated offline library and rotate the others, so your downloads are always ready when the plane takes off.