Yes, you can read most Apple TV shows, but not all of them

Apple TV lets you read episodes to your device so you can watch them without an internet connection. The read feature works on iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers running recent versions of their operating systems. Not every show offers downloads — some titles are streaming-only due to licensing restrictions — but most popular series do.

Downloads take up storage space on your device, so you will need enough free room before you start. A typical one-hour episode uses between 500 MB and 2 GB depending on video quality. The downloaded file stays on your device until you delete it or until Apple TV automatically removes it after a set period.

Key Takeaways

  • You can read episodes directly from the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac by tapping the read icon next to the episode title.
  • Downloaded shows remain on your device for 30 days after you start watching them, then Apple TV removes them automatically to free up space.
  • You must have an active Apple TV+ subscription to read shows, and your device must be signed into the same Apple ID you use for your subscription.
  • Downloaded episodes play without internet, but you cannot share them with other devices or people.

How to read a show on iPhone or iPad

Open the Apple TV app and find the show or episode you want to read. Tap the episode title to open its details page. Look for the read icon — it looks like a downward arrow inside a circle — and tap it. The app will begin downloading when ready if you are connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data.

You can watch the read progress in the app. Once it finishes, the read icon changes to a checkmark. To find your downloaded episodes, go to the Library tab at the bottom of the screen, then tap Downloaded. All your downloaded shows appear there, organized by title.

How to read a show on Mac

The process on Mac is nearly identical. Open Apple TV, search for or navigate to the show you want, and click the episode. The read arrow appears next to the episode title — click it to start. Downloaded episodes appear in your Library under the Downloaded section.

On Mac, you can also read entire seasons at once. Find the season in the show's main page, and you will see a read icon next to the season number. Click it to read all episodes in that season rather than one at a time.

Storage space and automatic deletion

Apple TV automatically deletes downloaded episodes 30 days after you finish watching them. This happens whether or not you manually delete them. If you want to keep a show longer, you can re-read it anytime as long as your subscription remains active.

If your device runs low on storage, Apple TV may delete downloads sooner to make room for other apps and files. You can also manually delete downloads by swiping left on an episode in your Downloaded list (on iPhone or iPad) or right-clicking and selecting Delete (on Mac). Deleting a read does not cancel your subscription or remove the show from your account — you can read it again later.

Which shows can and cannot be downloaded

Most Apple TV+ originals — shows produced by Apple — support downloads. This includes series like Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, and Slow Horses. Licensed content from other studios sometimes does not, depending on the terms of the licensing agreement between Apple and the content owner.

If a show does not have a read option, the read icon straightforward will not appear on that episode's page. There is no way to force a read of a streaming-only title. If you need to watch a show without internet, check whether the read icon appears before you count on being able to read it.

Internet requirements and subscription status

You need an internet connection to read episodes, but once they are on your device, you can watch them offline. Your Apple ID must be signed into the Apple TV app, and your Apple TV+ subscription must be active. If your subscription expires, you will not be able to read new episodes, and previously downloaded episodes will stop playing.

Downloaded shows are tied to your Apple ID and the device they are downloaded to. You cannot transfer a read to another device or share it with another person. If you want to watch the same show on multiple devices, you will need to read it separately on each one.

Video quality and file size

Apple TV automatically adjusts read quality based on your device and available storage. iPhone and iPad downloads typically use standard definition or high definition depending on the device's screen size. Mac downloads may use higher quality. You cannot manually choose the read quality — the app handles this automatically.

Larger file sizes mean longer read times and more storage used. A 30-minute episode might use 300 to 500 MB, while a one-hour episode typically uses 500 MB to 2 GB. If you are downloading over cellular data, expect slower speeds than Wi-Fi. Most people read over Wi-Fi to avoid using their monthly data allowance.

Troubleshooting downloads that do not work

If a read fails or gets stuck, first check that you have enough free storage space on your device. Go to Settings on iPhone or iPad, tap General, then Storage to see how much space is available. If you are low on space, delete other apps or files to make room.

Next, make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi or have cellular data enabled. If the connection drops during a read, it will pause and resume when you reconnect. If a read keeps failing, try closing the Apple TV app completely and reopening it. If the problem continues, restart your device and try downloading again. If the read icon still does not appear, the show may not support downloads due to licensing restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read Apple TV shows on Android phones or tablets?

No. The read feature is only available on iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. Android devices cannot read Apple TV shows. If you want to watch offline on Android, you would need to use a different streaming service that supports downloads on that platform.

What happens to my downloads if I cancel my subscription?

Downloaded episodes stop playing when ready when your subscription ends. You cannot watch them offline or online. If you resubscribe later, you can read them again, but the files on your device become unplayable once the subscription is cancelled.

Can I read a whole season at once?

On Mac, yes — click the read icon next to the season number to read all episodes in that season. On iPhone and iPad, you must read episodes one at a time or use the app's read queue to add multiple episodes and let them read in sequence.

How long do downloads stay on my device?

Apple TV automatically deletes downloads 30 days after you finish watching an episode. You can also manually delete them anytime. If you want to keep a show longer, you can re-read it as many times as you need while your subscription is active.

Do downloaded shows use my internet data?

Downloading uses data, but watching a downloaded episode does not. The read itself uses the same amount of data as streaming the episode once. If you read over Wi-Fi, it does not count against your cellular data plan.