Downloading on Hulu requires a paid subscription and works on phones and tablets only

Hulu lets you read TV episodes and movies to your phone or tablet so you can watch them without an internet connection. The feature is included with most paid Hulu plans — it does not cost extra. Downloads work on iPhones, iPads, and Android devices, but not on computers or web browsers.

You need a current Hulu subscription to read anything. The free ad-supported plan does not include downloads. If you have Hulu with ads or Hulu (No Ads), both can read. If you subscribe to Hulu as part of a Disney Bundle, downloads are included in that plan too.

Downloaded episodes stay on your device for 30 days from the time you read them, or until you delete them manually — whichever comes first. After 30 days, the file expires and you must read it again if you want to watch it offline.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a paid Hulu subscription (with ads or without ads) to read episodes; the free plan does not include this feature.
  • Downloads work only on iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets — not on computers or through a web browser.
  • Downloaded episodes expire and delete automatically after 30 days, so plan ahead for trips or situations where you will not have internet.
  • Each downloaded episode uses storage space on your device, so check how much free space you have before downloading multiple shows.

How to read a single episode on your phone or tablet

Open the Hulu app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device. Search for the show or movie you want to read, or navigate to it through the browse menu. Tap the title to open its details page.

Look for the read icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow inside a circle. On most shows, this icon appears next to the play button. Tap it once. The app will begin downloading the episode to your device. A progress bar or checkmark will show when the read is complete.

If you do not see a read icon, that content is not available for offline viewing. Some newer episodes, live TV, and certain licensed content cannot be downloaded. You can only read what Hulu has made available this way.

Downloading multiple episodes or entire seasons at once

If you want to read several episodes of the same show, open the show's main page in the Hulu app. Look for a "read" button or option near the top of the page — this is separate from the read icon on individual episodes. Tap it to see your options.

Most shows let you choose to read the current season, the next unaired episode, or all available episodes. Select what you want, and Hulu will queue them for read. The app will read them in the background, one after another. This can take a while if you are downloading many episodes, so plug in your device and connect to Wi-Fi.

You can check the progress of your downloads by going to your profile menu and looking for a "Downloads" or "My Downloads" section. This shows you what is currently downloading, what has finished, and how much storage space your downloads are using.

Managing storage and deleting downloads

Each episode takes up storage space on your phone or tablet. A typical TV episode uses between 300 megabytes and 1 gigabyte of space, depending on the video quality. If your device is running low on storage, delete downloads you no longer need to free up space.

To delete a read, go to your Downloads section in the Hulu app. Find the episode or show you want to remove, and tap the delete or trash icon next to it. The file will be removed from your device when ready. You can read it again later if you want to watch it.

You can also set Hulu to automatically delete downloads after you watch them. Look in the app's settings or preferences menu for an option like "Auto-delete watched downloads" or "Remove after watching." Turning this on keeps your storage from filling up with episodes you have already seen.

Choosing video quality for downloads

Hulu usually downloads episodes in a standard quality that balances file size and picture clarity. If you want to change this, open the Hulu app settings on your device. Look for a "Downloads" or "Video Quality" section.

You may see options like "Standard" or "High." Standard quality uses less storage space but may look grainier on a larger screen. High quality looks sharper but takes up more room on your device. Choose based on what matters more to you — storage space or picture quality.

Keep in mind that higher quality downloads take longer to complete. If you are downloading before a trip and time is short, standard quality will finish faster.

What to do if downloads are not working

If the read button does not appear or downloads keep failing, first check that you have a paid Hulu subscription. Log out of the app completely and log back in. This refreshes your account status and often fixes read problems.

Make sure you have enough free storage space on your device. If your phone or tablet is nearly full, Hulu cannot save the read. Delete old photos, videos, or other apps to free up space, then try downloading again.

Check your internet connection. Downloads require a stable Wi-Fi or mobile connection to start, though they can continue in the background once they begin. If your connection keeps dropping, move closer to your router or switch to a stronger network.

If downloads still do not work after trying these steps, uninstall the Hulu app completely and reinstall it from the App Store or Google Play. This clears out any corrupted files that might be blocking the read feature.

Watching your downloaded episodes offline

Once an episode has finished downloading, you can watch it anytime without an internet connection. Open the Hulu app and go to your Downloads section. Tap the episode you want to watch and press play — it will start when ready since the file is already on your device.

You can watch downloaded episodes in any order and as many times as you want before they expire. Pausing, rewinding, and fast-forwarding all work the same way as they do with streaming. You can even watch part of an episode, close the app, and come back to it later to finish.

Remember that downloads expire after 30 days. If you are planning a long trip or want to keep something for later, read it closer to when you will actually watch it. You can always read it again after it expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read Hulu shows on my computer?

No. The Hulu app for Windows and Mac computers does not have a read feature. Downloads are only available on the mobile app for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. If you need offline access on a computer, you would need to read the file through a different method before your trip.

Do downloaded episodes count against my data plan?

The read itself uses data, but once the episode is saved to your device, watching it offline does not use any data. read over Wi-Fi whenever possible to avoid using your mobile data plan. Once downloaded, you can watch as many times as you want without using any data.

What happens to my downloads if I cancel my Hulu subscription?

Downloaded episodes will stop working once your subscription ends. The files remain on your device, but the Hulu app will not let you play them. If you resubscribe later, you can read them again.

Can I share downloaded episodes with someone else?

No. Downloaded episodes are tied to your Hulu account and device. Someone else cannot watch your downloads even if they use the same device. Each person needs their own Hulu account to read and watch content.

Why can't I read certain episodes or shows?

Some content is not available for read due to licensing agreements with studios and networks. Live TV, certain movies, and some newer episodes may be restricted. If a show does not have a read button, that content straightforward is not available for offline viewing on Hulu.