Netflix downloads work on phones and tablets, not computers
You can read episodes of TV series on Netflix using the Netflix app on an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone. Netflix does not allow downloads on computers or web browsers — only the mobile app has this feature. Once downloaded, you can watch those episodes without an internet connection, which is useful for travel, commutes, or places where your connection is unreliable.
Not every show or movie on Netflix can be downloaded. The studio that owns the rights to each series decides whether Netflix can offer downloads, so some titles have a read button and others do not. If a show does not have a read option, you will see no read icon next to it.
Downloads take up storage space on your device — a one-hour episode typically uses 300 to 500 megabytes, depending on video quality. Netflix automatically deletes downloaded episodes after a set time (usually 30 days for most shows, though some are shorter), so you do not need to manually manage them.
Key Takeaways
- Downloads are only available in the Netflix mobile app on phones and tablets, not on computers or the web version.
- Not all shows allow downloads — look for the read icon next to the episode title to see if it is available.
- Downloaded episodes automatically delete after 30 days or when your subscription ends, so you do not need to manage storage yourself.
- Downloaded episodes play without an internet connection, but Netflix still checks your account status periodically.
- Video quality affects file size — lower quality downloads use less storage space than higher quality ones.
How to read a single episode
Open the Netflix app on your phone or tablet and find the series you want to read. Navigate to the specific season and episode you want to watch offline. Next to the episode title, you should see a read icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow inside a circle. Tap that icon once.
Netflix will begin downloading the episode when ready. You will see a progress indicator showing how much of the read is complete. The time it takes depends on your internet speed and the video quality you have selected in your Netflix settings. Most episodes read in a few minutes on a standard home connection.
Once the read finishes, the read icon changes to a checkmark, indicating the episode is ready to watch offline. You can now close the app or navigate away — the episode stays on your device until Netflix automatically removes it.
How to read an entire season at once
If you want to read multiple episodes of the same series, Netflix offers a faster way than downloading one at a time. Go to the series page (not a specific season), and look for a read icon near the series title or in the menu. Some series show a read button directly on the main series page.
Tap the read icon for the series, and Netflix will ask which season you want to read. Select the season, and Netflix will begin downloading all episodes in that season automatically, one after another. This process runs in the background, so you can use Netflix for other things while it downloads.
Downloading a full season takes longer than a single episode — typically 30 minutes to an hour depending on your connection speed and how many episodes are in the season. Netflix will continue downloading even if you close the app, as long as your device stays connected to Wi-Fi and has enough battery.
Checking read quality and storage space
Netflix offers different video quality options for downloads, and the quality you choose affects how much storage space each episode uses. Go to your Netflix account settings (usually found by tapping your profile icon), then select "App Settings" or "read Settings" depending on your device.
You will see options like "Standard" or "High" quality. Standard quality uses less storage — around 300 to 400 megabytes per hour — while high quality can use 500 to 700 megabytes per hour. If you are downloading many episodes or have limited storage space, standard quality is usually sufficient for phones and tablets.
Check how much storage space is available on your device before downloading large numbers of episodes. On most phones, you can see available storage in your device settings. If you run out of space, Netflix will stop downloading until you delete other files or let some downloaded episodes expire.
What happens when your subscription ends or you go offline
Downloaded episodes require Netflix to verify your account periodically, even though you are watching offline. Netflix checks your subscription status roughly every 30 days. If you do not connect to the internet within that window, your downloaded episodes will not play, even though they are still stored on your device.
If your Netflix subscription ends, all downloaded episodes become unwatchable when ready. Netflix does not delete them from your device right away, but the app will refuse to play them. Once you reactivate your subscription, the downloaded episodes work again without needing to re-read them.
If you switch to a different Netflix account on the same device, you cannot watch episodes that were downloaded under your old account. Downloads are tied to the account that created them, so you would need to read the episodes again under the new account.
Troubleshooting downloads that fail or do not appear
If the read icon does not appear next to an episode, that show or movie is not available for read — Netflix and the content owner have not enabled that feature for it. There is no way to force a read for unavailable titles. Check a different show to confirm the read feature is working on your device.
If a read starts but fails partway through, check your internet connection. Netflix pauses downloads if your connection drops, and resumes them automatically when you reconnect. If a read keeps failing, try deleting the partial read and starting again. To delete a read, tap and hold the episode title and select "Remove read."
If you have plenty of storage space but downloads are slow or failing repeatedly, restart your device and try again. Sometimes the Netflix app needs to refresh its connection. If the problem continues, uninstall and reinstall the Netflix app — this clears temporary files that might be causing the issue.
Moving downloads between devices
Netflix downloads are stored locally on each device and cannot be transferred to another phone or tablet. If you want to watch the same episodes on a different device, you need to read them again on that device using the same Netflix account. This is a limitation built into how Netflix protects the content from unauthorized copying.
If you have multiple devices and want to read the same series on all of them, you can do so as long as you are using the same Netflix account. Netflix allows downloads on up to four devices at the same time, though the total number of downloads across all your devices counts toward your storage limits on each individual device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read Netflix shows on my computer or laptop?
No. Netflix downloads are only available in the mobile app on phones and tablets. The web version and desktop apps do not have a read feature. If you need to watch offline on a computer, you would need to use a phone or tablet instead.
How long do downloaded episodes stay on my device?
Most downloaded episodes expire and delete automatically after 30 days. Some shows have shorter expiration periods, usually 7 days. Netflix shows the expiration date next to the read icon, so you can see when each episode will be removed.
Do downloaded episodes use my data plan if I watch them offline?
No. Downloaded episodes play entirely from your device storage and do not use any mobile data. However, Netflix still checks your account status roughly every 30 days, which requires a brief internet connection.
What if I read a show and then Netflix removes it from the service?
You can still watch the downloaded episodes as long as your subscription is active and you connect to the internet at least once every 30 days. If the show is removed from Netflix, the downloaded files remain on your device, but Netflix will not allow you to play them.
Can I read Netflix shows using Wi-Fi only, or can I use mobile data?
You can read using either Wi-Fi or mobile data, depending on your Netflix settings. By default, Netflix is set to read only on Wi-Fi to save your mobile data. You can change this in your app settings if you want to read over cellular, though this will use your data plan.