The basic steps to read a Netflix film
To read a film on Netflix, open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet, find the film you want to watch offline, and tap the read icon next to the title. The icon looks like a downward-pointing arrow inside a circle. Netflix will begin downloading the film to your device's storage — you do not need to do anything else while it downloads.
Once the read finishes, you can watch the film without an internet connection. The downloaded film stays on your device until you delete it or until Netflix removes your access to it (which happens if your subscription ends or if the film leaves Netflix's catalog). You can check your downloads by opening the app and tapping the Downloads tab at the bottom of the screen.
The read process usually takes a few minutes for a standard film, depending on your internet speed and the film's length. Larger files and slower connections take longer. Netflix shows you the read progress on the title's page, so you can see when it is ready to watch.
Key Takeaways
- The read icon appears next to most film titles in the Netflix app on phones and tablets, but not on computers or web browsers.
- Downloaded films take up storage space on your device, so check how much free space you have before downloading multiple titles.
- Netflix removes access to downloaded films if your subscription ends or if the film leaves the Netflix catalog, even if the file is still on your device.
- You can delete downloaded films from the Downloads tab to free up space whenever you want.
Which devices let you read Netflix films
Netflix allows downloads on phones and tablets running iOS (Apple) or Android (Google). This includes iPhones, iPads, and most Android phones and tablets from manufacturers like Samsung, Google Pixel, and others. The Netflix app on these devices has the read feature built in.
You cannot read films using Netflix on a computer, laptop, or web browser, even if you have an active subscription. Netflix also does not allow downloads on smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku or Fire Stick, or gaming consoles. If you want to watch offline, you must use a phone or tablet.
Make sure your Netflix app is up to date before trying to read. Older versions of the app may not have the read feature or may have bugs that prevent it from working. Check your device's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) to see if an update is available.
Storage space and read limits
Downloaded films take up storage space on your device. A standard-definition film might use 500 MB to 1 GB of space, while a high-definition film can use 2 GB to 4 GB or more. Before downloading multiple films, check how much free storage your device has. On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. On Android, go to Settings > Storage.
Netflix limits how many titles you can read at once depending on your subscription plan. Standard and Premium plans allow more downloads than Basic plans. Netflix also limits the total number of downloads you can have on a single device — typically around 100 titles, though this varies. If you reach the limit, you must delete some downloads before adding new ones.
If your device runs low on storage, Netflix may pause or cancel downloads automatically. Deleting other apps, photos, or files from your device frees up space and lets downloads continue. You can always re-read a film later if you delete it to make room.
How long downloads stay on your device
Downloaded films remain on your device until you delete them manually or until Netflix removes your access. Netflix removes access if your subscription ends — the downloaded files stay on your device, but you cannot open them. The app will show a message saying the title is no longer available.
Netflix also removes access if a film leaves the Netflix catalog. This happens when Netflix's licensing agreement with the film's studio ends. You may see a notification before this happens, giving you time to watch the film before it disappears. Once Netflix removes access, you cannot watch the downloaded file even though it is still taking up storage space on your device.
To free up space, you can delete downloads yourself. Open the Downloads tab, find the film you want to remove, and tap the delete icon (usually an X or trash can). The file is removed from your device when ready, and you can re-read it later if you want to watch it again and it is still available on Netflix.
read quality and video settings
Netflix lets you choose the read quality on some devices. Higher quality downloads look better but take up more storage space and take longer to read. To change read quality, go to your Netflix account settings, find the Downloads section, and select your preferred quality. The options are usually Standard (lower quality, smaller file) or High (better quality, larger file).
Not all devices let you change read quality. Older phones or tablets may only offer one quality option. Netflix automatically chooses the best quality your device can handle if you do not have a choice in settings.
Downloaded films play in the same video player as streaming films, so you can pause, rewind, and fast-forward just like you would with a film you are streaming. Subtitles and audio tracks that were available when you downloaded the film stay with the read, so you can watch in your preferred language even offline.
What to do if a read fails or gets stuck
If a read stops or fails, the most common fix is to close the Netflix app completely and open it again. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to close the app. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Netflix and tap Force Stop. Then open Netflix again and try downloading the film once more.
Make sure you have a stable internet connection while downloading. Netflix pauses downloads if your connection drops, and some downloads may fail if your connection is very slow or keeps disconnecting. Try downloading over WiFi instead of mobile data if possible — WiFi is usually faster and more stable.
If a read keeps failing, check that your device has enough free storage space and that your Netflix app is fully updated. You can also try restarting your device, which sometimes fixes temporary glitches. If the problem continues, the film itself may have a technical issue on Netflix's side, and you may need to try downloading a different film or contact Netflix support.
Downloading films across multiple devices
You can read the same film on more than one device if your Netflix plan allows it. Standard and Premium plans let you read on multiple devices, while Basic plans may have restrictions. Each device stores its own copy of the downloaded film, so the file on your phone does not affect the file on your tablet.
Downloaded films are tied to the Netflix account that downloaded them. If you share your Netflix account with family members, they can read films on their own devices using the same account. However, if you remove a profile from your account or change your password, downloads on devices using that profile may stop working.
If you switch to a new phone or tablet, your old downloads do not transfer automatically. You must read the films again on your new device. Netflix does not have a way to move downloads between devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read films on my computer or laptop?
No. Netflix only allows downloads on phones and tablets running iOS or Android. The web version of Netflix and the Windows app do not have a read feature. If you need to watch offline on a computer, you would need to read the film before leaving home and watch it while still connected to the internet, which defeats the purpose.
What happens to my downloads if I cancel my Netflix subscription?
The downloaded files stay on your device, but Netflix removes the license to watch them. When you try to open a downloaded film after your subscription ends, the Netflix app will show a message saying you no longer have access. The files take up storage space until you delete them manually.
Do downloaded films use data when I watch them offline?
No. Once a film is fully downloaded, watching it uses no internet data at all. You can watch downloaded films on an airplane, in a tunnel, or anywhere else without a connection. Netflix only uses data during the read process itself.
How much storage space do I need to read multiple films?
It depends on the quality and length of each film. A standard-definition film might use 500 MB to 1 GB, while a high-definition film can use 2 GB to 4 GB. If you want to read five HD films, plan for 10 to 20 GB of free space. Check your device's storage settings to see how much space you have available before downloading.
Can I watch a downloaded film after it leaves Netflix?
No. Even though the file is still on your device, Netflix removes the license to play it. The app will not let you open the file once Netflix removes access. You cannot watch it unless you re-subscribe and the film returns to Netflix's catalog.