read shows and movies directly to your device on Stan
Stan lets you read TV shows and movies to watch later without an internet connection. The read feature works on phones, tablets, and some computers, though the exact steps depend on which device you use. Downloads stay on your device for a set period — usually 30 days — before they expire, and you can delete them anytime to free up space.
Stan's read system is built into the app itself, so you do not need to read anything extra or use a separate tool. The feature is included with any Stan subscription, and it works the same way whether you pay monthly or use a free trial.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Stan app on your phone or tablet, find the show or movie you want, and tap the read icon next to the play button.
- Downloaded content stays on your device for 30 days, then automatically expires — you can watch it as many times as you want during that window.
- Downloads use storage space on your device, so check how much free space you have before downloading multiple shows or movies.
- You can delete downloads manually at any time by opening the Downloads section in the app and swiping to remove individual titles.
- Downloaded shows and movies only play in the Stan app — you cannot transfer them to other apps or devices.
read a show or movie on your phone or tablet
Open the Stan app and search for or browse to the show or movie you want to read. When you find it, tap the title to open the details page. You will see a read icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow — next to the play button. Tap that icon to start the read.
The read begins when ready and shows a progress bar. Depending on the file size and your internet speed, a single episode might take a few minutes, while a full movie could take 10 to 20 minutes. You can close the app or lock your phone while it downloads — Stan will keep working in the background. Once the read finishes, a checkmark appears next to the read icon.
For TV shows with multiple episodes, you can read individual episodes one at a time, or tap the read icon next to the season name to read all episodes in that season at once. Downloading a full season uses more storage space, so make sure your device has enough room before you start.
Find and watch your downloaded content
To watch something you have already downloaded, open the Stan app and tap the Downloads section at the bottom of the screen. You will see all your downloaded shows and movies listed there. Tap any title to start watching — it will play from your device without needing the internet.
Downloaded episodes appear in the Downloads section with a small downloaded indicator. If you are watching a show you downloaded, you can swipe to the next episode just as you would with streaming content. The app remembers where you stopped watching, so you can pause and come back later.
Understand the 30-day expiration window
Stan downloads expire 30 days after you first read them. This means you have one month to watch the content before it disappears from your device. The expiration date is not based on when you last watched it — it counts from the day you downloaded it. A countdown timer in the Downloads section shows you how many days are left before each read expires.
When a read expires, it automatically deletes itself from your device. You do not lose access to the show or movie — you can read it again anytime by going back to the title page and tapping the read icon. This system is built into Stan's licensing agreements with studios, so the 30-day limit applies to all users and all content.
Delete downloads to free up space
If you want to remove a read before it expires, open the Downloads section and find the title you want to delete. Swipe left on the title (on iPhone or Android) or long-press it to reveal a delete option. Tap delete to remove it from your device when ready. The space it used becomes available again for other apps and files.
Deleting a read does not affect your Stan account or your ability to watch that show or movie later. You can read it again at any time, and the 30-day timer will start fresh from the new read date. Removing downloads is useful when you are running low on storage space or when you have finished watching something and want to make room for new content.
Check your device storage before downloading
Downloads take up storage space on your phone or tablet, just like photos or other apps. Before you read multiple shows or movies, check how much free space your device has. A single TV episode typically uses 300 to 800 megabytes, while a movie might use 1 to 4 gigabytes depending on quality and length.
On iPhone, go to Settings, tap General, then Storage to see how much space is available. On Android, open Settings, tap Storage, and look at the available space listed at the top. If you are running low on storage, delete old downloads, remove unused apps, or clear your photo library to make room. Stan will warn you if your device does not have enough space to complete a read.
Troubleshoot downloads that are not working
If a read fails or gets stuck, first check that you have a stable internet connection — downloads need a working connection to start, though they can continue in the background once they begin. If the connection drops partway through, the read pauses and resumes automatically when the connection returns.
If a read keeps failing, try closing the Stan app completely and opening it again. Then go back to the title and tap the read icon once more. If the problem continues, check that you have enough free storage space on your device — a full storage drive can prevent downloads from completing. You can also try restarting your phone or tablet, which often clears temporary issues that block downloads.
Some titles may not be available for read due to licensing restrictions. If you see a read icon but the read fails when ready, the content may not support downloading in your region. In that case, you can only stream it while connected to the internet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read Stan content on my computer?
Stan downloads work on the Stan app for iPhone and Android tablets. The web version of Stan does not support downloads, so you cannot read on a computer or through a web browser. If you want to watch offline on a larger screen, you would need to use a tablet instead.
What happens if I cancel my Stan subscription?
Downloaded content stops working when ready when your subscription ends. You will not be able to play any downloads, even if they have not expired yet. If you resubscribe later, you can read the content again, but the old downloads will not come back.
Can I move downloaded shows to another device?
No. Downloads are locked to the device and the Stan app where you downloaded them. You cannot transfer them to another phone, tablet, or app. If you want to watch on a different device, you need to read the content again on that device.
Do downloaded shows use data if I watch them offline?
No. Once downloaded, shows and movies play entirely from your device without using any internet data. This is the main reason to read — so you can watch without a connection or without using your mobile data allowance.
How many shows and movies can I read at once?
There is no limit on the number of downloads, but your device storage is the real limit. You can read as much as your phone or tablet has space for. If you fill your storage with downloads, you will need to delete some to read more.