The simplest way to get movies on your Apple TV

You read movies to Apple TV through the Apple TV app, which comes built into every Apple TV device. Open the app, find the movie you want, and tap the read button — a cloud icon with a downward arrow. The movie saves to your device's storage and plays without needing an internet connection.

You can also read movies you already own through iTunes or Apple Books, or rent movies and read them for offline viewing. The method depends on whether you bought the movie, rented it, or are subscribing to a service like Apple TV+.

Downloaded movies take up storage space on your Apple TV, so you may need to delete older downloads to make room for new ones. A typical movie uses between 4 and 15 gigabytes depending on quality and length.

Key Takeaways

  • Movies read through the Apple TV app by tapping the cloud-with-arrow icon next to any movie you own or rent.
  • Downloaded movies play without internet, but they use your device's storage — delete them when you no longer need them to free up space.
  • You can read movies you purchased through iTunes, rented for 24 or 48 hours, or included in an Apple TV+ subscription.
  • Downloaded rentals expire after your rental period ends, even if they remain on the device.

Downloading movies you own through iTunes

If you bought a movie through iTunes or the Apple TV app in the past, it lives in your library. Open the Apple TV app, go to the Library tab at the bottom, and select Movies. Find the movie you own and tap it to open the detail page.

On the detail page, look for the cloud icon with a downward arrow and tap it. The read begins when ready. You can watch the read progress in the Library — a progress bar shows how much has transferred. Once complete, the cloud icon changes to a checkmark, meaning the movie is ready to play offline.

Your Apple TV stores downloaded movies in its internal storage. If you run out of space, the device will warn you before the read finishes. You can delete any downloaded movie by opening its detail page and tapping the checkmark icon, then selecting Delete read.

Downloading rented movies for offline viewing

When you rent a movie through the Apple TV app, you have the option to read it when ready. After you tap Rent and confirm the purchase, the read button appears on the movie's detail page. Tap the cloud-with-arrow icon to start the read.

Rented movies stay on your device for the entire rental period — usually 24 hours from when you first play it, or 48 hours from when you rented it, depending on the studio. After the rental expires, the movie becomes unplayable even if the file remains on your device. You cannot extend a rental or convert it to a purchase after downloading.

Downloaded rentals count toward your device's storage just like purchased movies do. If space runs low, delete the rental to free up room. You can always rent and read the same movie again later.

Downloading movies from Apple TV+ and other subscriptions

Apple TV+ lets you read movies and shows included in your subscription. Open the Apple TV app, find a movie in the Apple TV+ section, and tap the cloud-with-arrow icon on its detail page. The read starts right away.

Downloaded Apple TV+ content remains playable as long as your subscription is active. If you cancel Apple TV+, downloaded movies stop working after 30 days. Other subscription services available through the Apple TV app — like Disney+, Hulu, or Max — have their own read rules. Check each service's settings to see whether downloads are turned on and how long they remain available.

Subscription downloads use the same storage as purchased and rented movies. You can delete any downloaded title to make room without losing access to it through your subscription.

Checking storage and managing downloaded movies

Apple TV devices come in two storage sizes: 32 GB and 64 GB. The operating system takes up roughly 10 GB, leaving you with about 22 GB or 54 GB for movies, shows, and apps. A typical HD movie uses 4 to 8 GB; a 4K movie can use 15 to 25 GB.

To see how much storage you have left, go to Settings on your Apple TV, select AirPlay and HomeKit, then About. The storage information appears at the bottom. If you are running low, delete downloaded movies you have already watched or can stream instead.

Delete a downloaded movie by opening the Apple TV app, going to Library, finding the movie, tapping it, and selecting the checkmark icon. Choose Delete read. The file removes when ready, freeing up space. The movie stays in your library and you can read it again later if you own it or have an active subscription.

Troubleshooting downloads that stall or fail

A read may pause if your internet connection drops or your Apple TV goes to sleep. Check that your Wi-Fi is connected and strong — downloads work over Wi-Fi only, not Ethernet on older models. Wake your Apple TV by pressing a button on the remote, and the read usually resumes.

If a read fails completely, try deleting it and starting over. Open the movie's detail page, tap the checkmark, select Delete read, and then tap the cloud icon again. Make sure you have enough free storage — if your device is nearly full, the read may not complete.

If the same movie fails repeatedly, restart your Apple TV. Hold the Menu and Back buttons on the remote for about 6 seconds until the light blinks. Wait for the device to restart, then try downloading again. If it still does not work, sign out of your Apple ID in Settings, sign back in, and attempt the read once more.

When to read versus stream

read a movie if you plan to watch it without internet — on a trip, in a location with poor Wi-Fi, or during a service outage. Downloaded movies play when ready without buffering. They also do not count against a data cap if you have one on your home internet.

Stream a movie if you have reliable Wi-Fi and want to save storage space. Streaming uses more bandwidth but lets you watch anything in your library without managing downloads. Most people stream most of the time and read only the movies they know they will watch soon.

Rented movies are worth downloading if you plan to watch them within the rental period, since you cannot extend the rental. Purchased movies and subscription content can stay in your library indefinitely, so read them only when you actually want to watch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read the same movie to multiple Apple TV devices?

Yes. Each Apple TV device has its own storage, so you can read the same movie to as many devices as you own. Sign in with the same Apple ID on each device, find the movie in your library, and tap the read button. Each device stores its own copy.

What happens to my downloads if I update my Apple TV?

A software update does not delete your downloads. They remain on the device after the update finishes. However, if you factory reset your Apple TV, all downloads are erased. Back up important content by noting which movies you own so you can re-read them if needed.

Can I read a movie and watch it on my iPhone or iPad instead?

No. Downloads are device-specific. A movie downloaded to your Apple TV stays on that device only. To watch on iPhone or iPad, use the Apple TV app on those devices and either stream or read the movie there separately.

Why does a movie I rented show as downloaded but will not play?

Your rental period has expired. Downloaded rentals stop working after 24 or 48 hours, even if the file is still on your device. You can rent and read the movie again, or stream it if you have an active subscription that includes it.

Do I need an internet connection to read movies?

Yes, you need Wi-Fi to read. Once the read finishes, you can watch the movie without internet. If your Wi-Fi disconnects during a read, it pauses and resumes when you reconnect.