Netflix downloads work on phones and tablets, not computers or web browsers
Netflix lets you read movies and TV shows to watch without an internet connection, but only on mobile devices. You cannot read through a web browser or on a computer — the read button appears only in the Netflix app on iPhone, iPad, or Android phones and tablets. The downloaded file stays on your device and expires after a set period, which Netflix controls.
Not every title is available to read. Netflix licenses content differently depending on the show or movie, and some rights agreements do not permit offline downloads. If a title has a read button, you can save it. If there is no button, that title cannot be downloaded on any device.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet, find the movie or show you want, and tap the read icon next to the play button.
- Downloaded content uses storage space on your device and automatically deletes after 30 days (or sooner for some titles), even if you never watch it.
- You must stay signed into your Netflix account for downloaded videos to play, and your account must remain active.
- Downloaded movies play in the Netflix app only — you cannot transfer them to another app or device.
Finding and downloading a movie step by step
Open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet and search for the movie you want. Tap on the title to open its details page. Look for a read icon — it looks like a downward arrow or a circle with a line underneath — next to the play button. Tap that icon once.
Netflix will begin downloading the file to your device. A progress bar appears showing how much has downloaded. The read happens in the background, so you can close the app or use your phone for other things while it finishes. Depending on the file size and your internet speed, a movie typically takes a few minutes to an hour to read completely.
Once the read finishes, a checkmark or filled circle replaces the read icon. You can now watch the movie without an internet connection by opening the Netflix app, going to your downloads section, and tapping the title.
Where to find your downloaded movies
On iPhone or iPad, open the Netflix app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Select "Downloads" to see all the movies and shows you have saved to your device. On Android, tap the menu icon at the top left and select "Downloads."
Your downloads section shows how much storage space each file uses and how many days remain before it expires. You can delete a read at any time by swiping left on it (iPhone) or pressing and holding it (Android), then tapping delete. Deleting a read frees up storage space but does not affect your Netflix account or viewing history.
How long downloads stay on your device
Netflix automatically deletes downloaded content after a set expiration date. Most movies expire after 30 days from the date you downloaded them, though some titles expire sooner — Netflix shows the exact expiration date in your downloads section. The timer counts down whether you watch the movie or not.
If a title expires before you watch it, you can read it again by going back to the movie's details page and tapping the read icon a second time. There is no limit to how many times you can read the same title, as long as your account remains active and the title is still available in your region.
Storage space and internet requirements
Downloaded movies take up storage space on your phone or tablet. A typical movie uses 500 MB to 3 GB depending on the video quality and length. Check your device's available storage before downloading multiple titles. If your phone is running low on space, delete old downloads or other apps to make room.
You need an internet connection to read, but not to watch. Netflix recommends using Wi-Fi for downloads because they use significant data — downloading over cellular can quickly consume your monthly allowance. Once a movie is fully downloaded, you can watch it anywhere without using any data.
Why some movies cannot be downloaded
Netflix's licensing agreements with studios and production companies determine which titles can be downloaded. Some content is licensed only for streaming, not for offline viewing. This varies by region — a movie available for read in one country may not be downloadable in another.
If you cannot find a read button on a movie's page, that title is not available for read in your region. The only option is to stream it with an internet connection. You cannot work around this limitation or request that Netflix add read rights to a specific title.
Watching downloaded movies and account requirements
Downloaded movies play only in the Netflix app. You cannot transfer them to another app, email them, or watch them on a different device. The Netflix app must be installed on the device where you downloaded the movie, and you must remain signed into your Netflix account to play any downloaded content.
If your Netflix subscription ends or you are removed from a shared account, all downloaded content stops playing when ready. The files remain on your device but become locked. Reactivating your account or being added back to a shared account unlocks them again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read Netflix movies on my computer or laptop?
No. Netflix downloads are only available in the mobile app on phones and tablets. The web browser version and the Windows 10/11 app do not have a read feature. If you need offline viewing on a computer, you must use a phone or tablet instead.
What happens if I read a movie and then cancel my Netflix subscription?
The downloaded file remains on your device but becomes unplayable. You cannot watch it until you reactivate your subscription. The file itself does not delete automatically, but it takes up storage space until you manually remove it from your downloads section.
Can I read the same movie on multiple devices?
Yes, you can read the same title on different phones or tablets as long as you are signed into the same Netflix account on each device. However, each read counts toward your account's simultaneous streaming limit, so check your plan's rules about how many devices can use your account at once.
How much data does downloading a movie use?
A typical movie uses 500 MB to 3 GB depending on its length and the video quality Netflix chooses. Netflix does not let you select read quality — it automatically picks a quality based on your device and available storage. Downloading over Wi-Fi is strongly recommended to avoid using your cellular data allowance.
Can I watch a downloaded movie after the expiration date if I never opened it?
No. Netflix automatically deletes downloaded content on the expiration date shown in your downloads section, regardless of whether you watched it. If you want to watch it after that date, you must read it again from the movie's details page.