Open the Prime Video app and find the read button next to each title
To read a movie or show on Amazon Prime Video, open the Prime Video app on your phone or tablet, find the title you want to watch offline, and tap the read icon — usually a downward arrow or cloud with a down arrow. The read starts when ready and saves to your device's storage. You can watch it anytime without an internet connection, even after your Prime membership ends, though the file will eventually expire.
The read button appears on the title's detail page, next to the play button. Not every title has a read option — some movies and shows are restricted by licensing agreements and can only be streamed. If you don't see a read button, that title cannot be saved offline on Prime Video.
Downloaded content takes up space on your phone or tablet, so check how much storage you have available before downloading multiple movies. A two-hour movie typically uses 1 to 3 gigabytes depending on video quality.
Key Takeaways
- The read button appears on every title's detail page in the Prime Video app, but not all titles can be downloaded due to licensing restrictions.
- Downloaded movies and shows expire after a set period — usually 30 days from when you start watching, or 48 hours after you begin playback, whichever comes first.
- You can read to a phone or tablet running iOS or Android, but not to a computer or Fire TV device.
- Downloaded files use your device's storage space, so a two-hour movie typically takes 1 to 3 gigabytes depending on the quality you choose.
Which devices let you read Prime Video content
Amazon Prime Video downloads work on phones and tablets running iOS (iPhone and iPad) or Android. You cannot read to a Windows or Mac computer, and you cannot read to a Fire TV device or other streaming box, even though you can stream on those devices.
If you want offline viewing on a computer, you will need to use a different streaming service — Netflix and Disney+ both allow downloads on Windows and Mac computers. For Fire TV devices, you can only stream when connected to the internet.
Understanding expiration dates for downloaded content
Downloaded movies and shows on Prime Video expire automatically. The expiration window depends on the title and the licensing agreement with the studio. Most titles expire 30 days after you read them, but some expire sooner.
Once you start watching a downloaded title, a second timer begins. You typically have 48 hours to finish watching before the file becomes unwatchable, even if the original 30-day window hasn't passed. If the 30-day read window expires before you press play, the file deletes itself and you cannot watch it offline.
When a read expires, you can read it again if you still have an active Prime membership. The expiration system is built into the file itself — you cannot extend it or work around it.
Choosing read quality to save storage space
When you read a title, Prime Video automatically chooses a quality level based on your device and available storage. You can change this setting before downloading by going to your account settings and selecting a preferred read quality.
Lower quality uses less storage — a two-hour movie at standard definition might use 500 megabytes to 1 gigabyte, while the same movie at high definition uses 2 to 3 gigabytes. If storage is tight, choose standard definition. If you have plenty of space and want the best picture, choose high definition.
The quality setting applies to all future downloads until you change it again. You cannot adjust the quality of a title after it has already downloaded.
Managing your downloads and freeing up space
Open the Prime Video app and go to the Downloads section to see all your saved titles. From there you can watch any downloaded movie or show, or delete it to free up storage space. Deleting a read does not cancel your Prime membership or affect your ability to stream that title later.
If your device is running low on storage, Prime Video may automatically delete older downloads to make room for new ones. You can also manually delete downloads one at a time by swiping or tapping the delete option next to each title.
Downloaded content counts against your device's total storage, so if you read many movies, you may not have room for photos, apps, or other files. Check your device's storage settings to see how much space is available before downloading.
What to do if a read fails or won't play
If a read gets stuck or fails to complete, try deleting it and downloading again. Make sure you have a strong internet connection when you start the read — a weak connection can cause the process to stall.
If a downloaded file won't play, check whether it has expired. Open the Downloads section and look for an expiration date or warning message. If the file has expired, delete it and read it again if you still have an active Prime membership.
If the file is not expired and still won't play, try restarting the Prime Video app or restarting your device. If the problem continues, uninstall and reinstall the Prime Video app — this sometimes fixes playback issues without affecting your downloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read Prime Video on my computer?
No. Amazon Prime Video downloads only work on phones and tablets running iOS or Android. If you need offline viewing on a computer, Netflix and Disney+ both support downloads on Windows and Mac.
How long can I keep a downloaded movie before it expires?
Most titles expire 30 days after read, but some may expire sooner depending on the licensing agreement. Once you start watching, you usually have 48 hours to finish before the file becomes unwatchable.
Does downloading use my Prime membership's data allowance?
No. Downloads use your device's internet connection and your home or mobile data plan, but they do not count against any Prime membership limit. You need an active Prime membership to read, but the read itself does not consume a separate quota.
What happens to my downloads if my Prime membership ends?
Downloaded files will eventually expire and become unwatchable, even if you had an active membership when you downloaded them. The expiration date is built into the file and cannot be extended after your membership ends.
Can I transfer a downloaded movie to another device?
No. Downloaded Prime Video files are locked to the device they were downloaded on and cannot be moved, copied, or shared with other devices or people.