Netflix downloads work on Windows and Mac, but not all titles are available

Netflix lets you read movies and shows directly to your laptop so you can watch them without an internet connection. The process takes just a few clicks, but you need the Netflix app — not the website — and the title has to be marked as downloadable. Not every movie or show Netflix offers can be downloaded; the studio or rights holder decides which ones allow it.

Downloads stay on your device for a set time before they expire and disappear automatically. You cannot keep a downloaded title forever. The expiration period varies by title — some expire after a week, others after 30 days — and Netflix tells you the important date before you read.

Key Takeaways

  • You must use the Netflix app on Windows or Mac, not the Netflix website, to read movies and shows.
  • Only titles with a read icon next to the play button can be saved to your laptop; many Netflix originals allow downloads, but licensed films often do not.
  • Downloaded files take up storage space on your hard drive and expire automatically after a period Netflix specifies before you read.
  • You can read the same title on up to four devices at once, but each read counts separately toward that limit.

Install the Netflix app and sign in

Start by downloading the Netflix app to your laptop if you do not have it already. On Windows, go to the Microsoft Store, search for Netflix, and click Get. On Mac, go to the App Store, search for Netflix, and click Get. Both will install the full app to your computer.

Open the app and sign in with your Netflix account email and password. If you do not have a Netflix account, you will need to create one and choose a subscription plan before you can read anything. The app will remember your login, so you only do this once.

Find a title marked as downloadable

Search for a movie or show in the Netflix app using the search box at the top. When you land on the title's page, look for a read icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow inside a circle — next to the play button. If you see it, the title can be downloaded. If there is no read icon, that title is not available for read, and you cannot save it to your laptop.

Netflix does not tell you in advance which titles are downloadable. You have to search for them one at a time and check. Netflix originals — shows and movies Netflix produces itself — are usually downloadable. Licensed films from studios often are not, though some are. The only way to know is to look for the icon.

read the movie or show to your laptop

Click the read icon next to the play button. A small menu will appear asking you to choose the video quality: Standard or High. Standard takes up less storage space; High takes up more but looks sharper. Choose whichever fits your laptop's storage and your preference, then click the quality option.

The read will start when ready. You will see a progress bar showing how much has downloaded. The time it takes depends on the file size and your internet speed. A two-hour movie on Standard quality might take 10 to 20 minutes; High quality could take 30 minutes or longer. You can close the app while it downloads — the process continues in the background.

Find and watch your downloaded titles

Once the read finishes, go to the Downloads section of the Netflix app. On Windows, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left, then select Downloads. On Mac, click the menu icon and select Downloads. You will see all the movies and shows you have downloaded to that laptop.

Click any title to play it. You do not need an internet connection to watch downloaded content. The video will play just as it would if you were streaming it. You can rewind, fast-forward, and adjust subtitles and audio the same way.

Understand expiration dates and storage limits

Each downloaded title has an expiration date. Before you read, Netflix shows you when that title will expire — for example, "Expires in 7 days" or "Expires in 30 days." After that date passes, the file deletes itself automatically, and you cannot watch it unless you read it again.

Downloaded files take up hard drive space. A two-hour movie on Standard quality uses roughly 1 to 2 gigabytes; High quality uses 3 to 5 gigabytes. If your laptop is running low on storage, delete downloads you have already watched by clicking the trash icon next to the title in the Downloads section. You can read it again later if you want to watch it.

You can read the same title on up to four devices with the same Netflix account. If you try to read it on a fifth device, Netflix will ask you to remove it from one of the other four first. Each read counts as one of your four slots, even if it is the same movie.

Troubleshoot common read problems

If the read icon does not appear, the title is not available for read in your region or on your subscription plan. Some Netflix plans do not allow downloads at all — the Standard plan on older accounts, for example. Check your plan details in your account settings. If you have a plan that should allow downloads and the icon still does not show, try signing out and back in, or restart the app.

If a read keeps failing or gets stuck, check your internet connection. Netflix needs a stable connection to read, even though you watch the file offline later. If your connection is weak, move closer to your router or wait until your connection is stronger. You can also try deleting the partial read and starting over: click the trash icon next to the title, wait a few seconds, then read it again.

If a downloaded title suddenly disappears from your Downloads section before the expiration date, it may have been removed from Netflix entirely, or your subscription may have ended. Check that your Netflix account is still active and your payment method is current. If the account is fine, the title was likely removed from Netflix's catalog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read Netflix movies on my phone or tablet instead of my laptop?

Yes. Netflix allows downloads on phones and tablets using the Netflix app on iOS and Android. The process is the same: find a title with the read icon, tap it, choose your quality, and wait for the read to finish. You can read to multiple device types with the same account.

What happens if my Netflix subscription expires while I have downloads on my laptop?

Downloaded files will stop playing once your subscription ends. You will not be able to watch them until you renew your subscription. Netflix does not delete the files from your hard drive, but the app will block playback.

Can I transfer a downloaded Netflix movie to another laptop or to a USB drive?

No. Netflix downloads are encrypted and locked to the device they were downloaded on. You cannot copy them to another computer or external drive. If you want to watch a title on a different laptop, you must read it again on that device using the Netflix app.

How much storage space do I need to read movies?

It depends on how many titles you read and what quality you choose. A single two-hour movie on Standard quality uses about 1 to 2 gigabytes. If you plan to read several movies, aim for at least 20 to 50 gigabytes of free space on your laptop. You can always delete downloads after you watch them to free up space.

Why does the read icon not appear for a movie I want to read?

The studio or rights holder controls which titles allow downloads. Licensed films often do not have the read option, while Netflix originals usually do. The title may also be unavailable for read in your specific country. If the icon is missing, that title cannot be downloaded through Netflix.