read a show or movie to watch offline
Amazon Prime Video lets you read shows and movies directly to your phone or tablet so you can watch them without an internet connection. The read button appears on most titles — look for a downward arrow icon next to the play button. Tap it, choose your video quality, and the read starts when ready. You can watch it anytime for the next 30 days, or longer for some titles.
Not every title supports downloads. Older films, some licensed content, and live events typically cannot be downloaded. If you do not see a read button on a show or movie page, that title is not available for offline viewing through Prime Video.
Downloaded content takes up storage space on your device. A single episode in standard quality uses roughly 300 to 500 megabytes. High-definition episodes use 1 to 2 gigabytes each. Check your device's available storage before downloading multiple titles, especially if you plan to read full seasons.
Key Takeaways
- The read button (a downward arrow) appears on the show or movie page next to the play button, and tapping it starts the read when ready.
- Downloaded videos expire after 30 days or when your Prime membership ends, whichever comes first, though some titles have longer windows.
- Standard-quality downloads use 300 to 500 megabytes per episode, while high-definition uses 1 to 2 gigabytes, so check your device storage first.
- You can read on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, but not on computers or web browsers.
- Not all titles support downloads — if you do not see a read button, that content cannot be saved for offline viewing.
Where to find the read button on your phone or tablet
Open the Prime Video app on your iOS or Android device and search for the show or movie you want. Tap the title to open its page. Below the title name, you will see a row of buttons: a play button, a plus sign (to add to a list), and a downward arrow. The downward arrow is the read button.
If you are watching a series, the read button appears on the season or episode level. You can read a single episode, an entire season, or multiple seasons one at a time. Tap the read arrow next to the episode or season name, and a menu appears asking you to choose your video quality.
On some older versions of the Prime Video app, the read button may appear in a menu instead of directly on the page. If you do not see the arrow icon, tap the three-dot menu button on the title page and look for a read option there.
Choosing video quality before you read
When you tap the read button, a popup menu appears with quality options. Most devices show two choices: Standard and High. Standard quality is smaller and downloads faster — use this if you have limited storage or a slow connection. High quality looks sharper on your screen but takes up more space and takes longer to read.
The exact file sizes depend on the title length and your device. A one-hour episode in Standard quality typically uses 300 to 500 megabytes. The same episode in High quality uses 1 to 2 gigabytes. A full season of ten episodes in High quality can use 10 to 20 gigabytes of your device storage.
You cannot change the quality after the read finishes. If you read in Standard and later want High quality, you must delete the read and start over. Choose carefully the first time, especially for long series.
Managing your downloads and storage space
Open the Prime Video app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Select "Downloads" to see everything you have saved. This page shows how much storage each read uses and how many days remain before it expires.
To delete a read, swipe left on the title (on iOS) or long-press it (on Android), then tap delete. This frees up storage space when ready. You can re-read the same title later if you want to watch it again.
Check your device's storage settings if downloads fail or stop partway through. Go to Settings, then Storage or About Phone, and see how much free space remains. Prime Video needs at least 100 to 200 megabytes of free space to read reliably. If you are running low, delete old downloads or other apps to make room.
How long downloads stay on your device
Downloaded content expires 30 days after you read it. The expiration date appears on the Downloads page next to each title. When the 30 days are up, the video disappears from your device automatically, even if you never watched it.
Some titles have longer expiration windows — certain movies and shows stay available for 48 hours or 7 days instead of 30. The expiration period is set by the content provider, not by Amazon, and you cannot extend it. The Downloads page always shows the exact date your read will expire.
Your Prime membership status also affects downloads. If your membership ends, all downloaded content becomes unwatchable when ready, even if the 30-day window has not passed. Renew your membership to watch downloads again.
Troubleshooting downloads that fail or get stuck
If a read stops or fails, first check your internet connection. Prime Video needs a stable connection to read, even though you watch the downloaded file offline later. Switch to Wi-Fi if you are on mobile data, or move closer to your router if the signal is weak.
Restart the Prime Video app. Close it completely (swipe it away from your recent apps), wait a few seconds, then open it again and tap the read button once more. The read usually resumes or restarts without losing progress.
If the read still fails, check that you have enough free storage space on your device. Delete old downloads or other apps, then try again. If a specific title consistently fails to read, that title may have a temporary issue with its read servers. Try downloading a different show first to confirm the problem is with that one title, not your device or connection.
Devices where you can and cannot read
The Prime Video app on iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets supports downloads. You cannot read through the Prime Video website on a computer, even though you can stream there. If you want to watch Prime Video offline on a computer, you must use a different method — some titles are available through other platforms, but Prime Video itself does not offer computer downloads.
Make sure your app is up to date. Older versions of Prime Video may not support downloads, or downloads may not work reliably. Open your device's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), search for Prime Video, and tap Update if one is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read Prime Video on my computer?
No. Prime Video downloads are only available on the mobile app for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. The web version does not support downloads. If you need to watch offline on a computer, you would need to use a different streaming service that offers computer downloads.
What happens to my downloads if I cancel my Prime membership?
All downloaded content becomes unwatchable when ready when your membership ends. The files remain on your device but will not play. If you renew your membership later, the downloads work again without needing to re-read them.
Can I transfer a read from one device to another?
No. Downloads are tied to the device and the Amazon account that downloaded them. You cannot copy a downloaded file to another phone or tablet. To watch on a different device, read the title again on that device using the same Amazon account.
Why does a read take so long?
read speed depends on your internet connection and the file size. High-quality downloads are larger and take longer. A one-hour episode in High quality on a slow connection can take 10 to 20 minutes. Switch to Wi-Fi and choose Standard quality if speed is a problem.
Can I watch a read while it is still downloading?
No. You must wait for the read to finish completely before you can play it. The read progress bar shows how much is done. Once it reaches 100 percent, the title is ready to watch.