Netflix lets you read most shows and movies to your phone or tablet, then watch them without an internet connection

Netflix's read feature works on phones and tablets running iOS, Android, Fire tablets, and some Windows devices. You can store dozens of titles at once, depending on your device's storage space. Downloaded content stays on your device for a set number of days — usually 30 days for most shows, though some titles expire sooner. Netflix removes the read automatically after that window closes, so you do not need to delete it yourself.

Not every title on Netflix can be downloaded. Licensing agreements prevent Netflix from offering downloads for some shows and movies. When you open a title's page, you will see a read icon (a downward arrow) if that title is available to read. If you do not see the icon, that particular show or movie cannot be downloaded.

Key Takeaways

  • The read button appears as a downward arrow on the title's page, and only shows up for content Netflix is licensed to let you read.
  • Downloaded shows and movies stay on your device for 30 days (or less for some titles), then Netflix automatically removes them.
  • You need an active Netflix subscription and an internet connection to read, but you can watch the downloaded content offline afterward.
  • Downloaded content takes up storage space on your phone or tablet, so check how much free space you have before downloading multiple titles.

How to read on iPhone or iPad

Open the Netflix app and find the show or movie you want to read. Tap the title to open its page. Look for the downward arrow icon — this is the read button. Tap it once, and Netflix will begin downloading the content to your device. A progress circle will appear showing how much of the read is complete.

Downloaded titles appear in a separate section of the Netflix app. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen, then select "Downloads." You will see all the shows and movies you have downloaded. Tap any title to watch it, and you do not need an internet connection.

How to read on Android phones and tablets

The process on Android is nearly identical to iPhone. Open Netflix, find your title, and tap the downward arrow icon on the title's page. The read begins when ready. You will see a progress indicator showing the read status.

To find your downloads, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom of the screen and select "Downloads." Your downloaded content appears here. Tap any title to start watching. If you want to delete a read before the 30-day window ends, press and hold the title, then select "Remove read."

Downloading on Fire tablets and Windows devices

Fire tablets use the same Netflix app as Android phones. The read button and process work identically — find the downward arrow, tap it, and the content downloads. Access your downloads through the menu.

Windows devices have more limited read support. Netflix's Windows app allows downloads, but not all titles are available for read on Windows. The process is the same: look for the downward arrow icon and tap it. Downloaded content appears in your Downloads section within the app.

Understanding storage space and read limits

Each downloaded show or movie takes up space on your device. A single episode of a TV show typically uses 300 megabytes to 1 gigabyte, depending on video quality. A movie can range from 1 to 4 gigabytes. Before downloading multiple titles, check how much free storage space your device has. Go to Settings on your phone or tablet and look for Storage or Device Storage to see available space.

Netflix does not limit how many titles you can read at once, but your device's storage does. If your phone has 32 gigabytes of total storage and you already use 25 gigabytes for other apps and photos, you have only 7 gigabytes left for Netflix downloads. Plan accordingly.

What happens when your read expires

Netflix sets an expiration date on most downloads — typically 30 days from when you read the content. Some titles, especially newer releases, may expire in 7 days or less. Netflix does not send you a warning before the read disappears. When the expiration date arrives, Netflix automatically removes the file from your device.

If you want to watch the title again after it expires, you can read it again as long as you have an active Netflix subscription. The expiration timer resets with each new read.

Troubleshooting downloads that do not work

If the read button does not appear on a title's page, Netflix is not licensed to offer downloads for that content. This is not a technical problem — it is a licensing restriction. You can still stream the title on Netflix with an internet connection, but you cannot read it.

If a read starts but gets stuck, check your internet connection. Netflix needs a stable connection to complete the read. If your connection drops, the read may pause or fail. Try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network or moving closer to your router. Once the connection is stable, tap the read button again to resume or restart the read.

If you see a message that says the read is no longer available, the title may have left Netflix's catalog. Netflix removes shows and movies regularly as licensing agreements end. If this happens, you cannot re-read that title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read Netflix content on my computer?

Windows computers can read Netflix content through the Netflix app from the Microsoft Store. Mac computers cannot read Netflix content — you can only stream. If you use a Mac, you will need an internet connection to watch Netflix.

What happens if I cancel my Netflix subscription?

Downloaded content becomes unwatchable when ready after your subscription ends. Netflix removes the ability to play downloaded files when your account is no longer active. If you resubscribe later, you can read the content again.

Can I transfer downloaded Netflix shows to another device?

No. Downloaded Netflix content is locked to the device where you downloaded it. You cannot move files between devices or share downloads with other people. Each person needs their own Netflix account and must read content on their own device.

Does downloading use data from my phone plan?

Yes, downloading uses data. Netflix transfers the entire file to your device over your internet connection, whether that is Wi-Fi or mobile data. To avoid using your mobile data plan, always read over Wi-Fi.

How do I know how many days my read has left before it expires?

Open the Downloads section and look at each title. Netflix shows the expiration date next to the title — for example, "Expires in 5 days." Check this regularly so you know when to watch your downloads before they disappear.