read a show or movie before you watch it

Prime Video lets you read shows and movies to your phone or tablet so you can watch them without an internet connection. Open the Prime Video app, find the title you want, and look for a read icon — usually a downward arrow or a cloud with an arrow. Tap it, choose your video quality, and the read starts in the background.

Not every title can be downloaded. Movies and shows that require a live connection, like live sports or some licensed content, will not have a read option. The app will show you which titles are available to read before you try.

Downloads take up storage space on your device. A single movie can use 500 MB to 4 GB depending on the quality you choose. Check how much free space your phone or tablet has before downloading several titles at once.

Key Takeaways

  • The read icon appears next to most movies and TV episodes in the Prime Video app — tap it and select your preferred video quality.
  • Downloaded content expires after a set period (usually 30 to 48 hours for rentals, longer for included titles), so plan your viewing accordingly.
  • Downloads work on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, but not on computers or web browsers.
  • You must be signed into your Prime Video account and have downloaded the content while connected to the internet before you can watch it offline.

Which devices support downloads

You can read Prime Video on iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets. The Prime Video app must be installed from the App Store (for Apple devices) or Google Play (for Android devices). Downloads do not work on computers, web browsers, or Fire tablets that are not updated to the current version of the app.

The device needs enough free storage space. Before downloading, open your device's settings and check how much space is available. If you are running low, delete old photos, videos, or other apps to make room.

How to choose video quality for downloads

When you tap the read icon, the app asks you to pick a quality level. Higher quality uses more storage — Standard Definition (SD) uses the least space, High Definition (HD) uses more, and Ultra HD uses the most. If your device has limited storage, choose SD. If you have plenty of space and want the best picture, choose HD or Ultra HD.

The quality you choose does not affect how fast the read happens. It only changes how much space the file takes up and how sharp the picture looks when you watch it. You can read the same title at different quality levels if you want options.

Managing your downloads and storage

Open the Prime Video app and go to the Downloads section to see what you have downloaded and how much space each one uses. You can delete downloads by swiping left on the title (on iPhone) or pressing and holding (on Android), then selecting delete. Deleting a read removes it from your device but does not cancel your Prime membership or remove the title from your account.

The app shows you how much total storage your downloads are using. If you are running out of space, delete titles you have already watched or do not plan to watch soon. You can always read them again later.

Expiration dates and rental downloads

Downloaded movies and shows have expiration dates. If you own the title (it came with your Prime membership or you purchased it), the read stays on your device until you delete it. If you rented the movie, the read expires 30 to 48 hours after you start watching it, depending on the rental agreement. After it expires, you cannot watch it unless you read it again or rent it again.

The app tells you when a read will expire. Check the Downloads section to see the expiration date for any rental. If you plan to watch a rental while traveling, read it a day or two before you leave so you have time to watch it before it expires.

Troubleshooting downloads that fail or get stuck

If a read stops or fails, make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi or a strong mobile data connection. Downloads pause automatically if your connection drops, and they resume when you reconnect. If a read is stuck, try closing the Prime Video app completely and opening it again.

If the read still does not work, check that you are signed into the correct Prime Video account and that your membership is active. Log out of the app, wait a few seconds, and log back in. If the problem continues, delete the app, restart your device, and reinstall the app from the App Store or Google Play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read Prime Video on my computer?

No. Downloads are only available on the Prime Video mobile app for phones and tablets. You can watch Prime Video on a computer through a web browser, but you cannot read titles to watch offline on a computer.

How long can I keep a downloaded movie or show?

If you own the title (included with Prime or purchased), you can keep the read as long as you want. If you rented it, the read expires 30 to 48 hours after you start watching. After expiration, you must rent it again or read it again to watch it.

Do I need internet to watch a downloaded video?

No. Once a title is fully downloaded, you can watch it without any internet connection. Your device does not need to be connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data while you are watching the downloaded file.

What happens if I delete the Prime Video app?

All your downloads are deleted when you uninstall the app. When you reinstall it and sign back in, your downloads are gone and you will need to read them again. Your Prime membership and purchased titles remain in your account.

Can I read the same show on multiple devices?

Yes. You can read the same title on your phone, tablet, or other devices as long as you are signed into the same Prime Video account on each device. Each device stores its own copy of the read.