Yes, Netflix lets you read most shows and films to your device

Netflix allows downloads on phones, tablets, and some computers, but not all content is available to read. The shows and films you can read stay on your device until you delete them, and you can watch them without an internet connection. Downloaded content expires after a set period — Netflix removes it automatically to protect licensing agreements with studios.

The read feature works on iOS and Android phones, iPad, and Windows or Mac computers. You cannot read to a web browser or streaming device like a Roku or Fire Stick. Downloaded shows take up storage space on your device, so you may need to delete older downloads to make room for new ones.

Key Takeaways

  • Netflix downloads work on phones, tablets, and computers, but the content expires automatically after a period that varies by title.
  • Not every show or film is available to read — availability depends on licensing agreements between Netflix and the studios that own the content.
  • Downloaded content uses device storage space and counts against your Netflix account's simultaneous streaming limit on some plans.
  • You can read multiple titles at once, but Netflix limits how many devices can read from a single account at the same time.

Which devices support Netflix downloads

Netflix downloads are available on iOS devices (iPhone and iPad running iOS 15.1 or later), Android phones and tablets (Android 5.0 or later), Windows computers (Windows 10 or later), and Mac computers (macOS 11 or later). You need the Netflix app installed on your device — downloads do not work through the Netflix website.

You cannot read to a web browser, even on a computer. Streaming devices like Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, Apple TV, and Google Chromecast do not support downloads. If you want to watch Netflix offline on a TV, you would need to read to a phone or tablet first, then use that device to display the content on your television through screen mirroring or casting.

How to read a show or film

Open the Netflix app and find the show or film you want to read. Look for a read icon — it looks like a downward-pointing arrow inside a circle. Tap or click it, and Netflix begins downloading the content to your device. The read icon changes to show a progress bar while the read is in progress.

Once the read finishes, the icon changes to a checkmark or filled circle. You can then watch the content offline by opening the Netflix app and going to your Downloads section. Downloaded content appears separately from your regular watch list, making it straightforward to find what you have stored locally.

If a read fails or gets interrupted, Netflix usually retries automatically. If it keeps failing, delete the partial read and try again. Some titles take longer to read depending on their length and your internet speed — a two-hour film might take 5 to 15 minutes on a typical home connection.

Why some shows and films cannot be downloaded

Netflix does not control which content is downloadable — the studios and networks that own the shows and films decide. When Netflix licenses content, the contract specifies whether downloads are allowed. Some studios restrict downloads to protect their content or because they have separate deals with other platforms.

Original Netflix content (shows and films made by Netflix) is almost always available to read. Licensed content from other studios varies widely. A show might be downloadable in one country but not another, depending on the licensing agreement Netflix has in that region. If you see a title without a read icon, that particular show or film is not available for read on your account.

How long downloaded content stays on your device

Downloaded shows and films expire automatically — Netflix removes them from your device after a set period. The expiration time varies by title and can range from 7 days to 30 days or longer. Netflix sends you a notification before content expires, giving you time to watch it or read it again.

Some content expires faster than others depending on the licensing agreement. If you want to keep watching a show, you can read it again after it expires. Your Netflix subscription must remain active for downloaded content to play — if your subscription ends, you cannot watch downloads even if they are still stored on your device.

Storage space and account limits for downloads

Downloaded content uses your device's storage space, just like photos or apps. A typical one-hour TV episode uses 300 to 600 megabytes of space, and a two-hour film uses 500 to 2,000 megabytes depending on video quality. If your device is running low on storage, you may need to delete older downloads to make room for new ones.

Netflix limits how many devices can read from a single account at the same time — the limit depends on your subscription plan. Standard and Premium plans allow downloads on up to 4 devices total, but only one device can be actively downloading at a time. If you try to read on a second device while a read is already in progress on another, Netflix queues the second read and starts it when the first one finishes.

Watching downloaded content offline

To watch a read, open the Netflix app and tap or click the Downloads section. Your downloaded shows and films appear there, organized by title. Select what you want to watch and press play — no internet connection is needed. Downloaded content plays the same way as streamed content, with the same playback controls and subtitle options.

You can watch a read as many times as you want before it expires. If you pause a read partway through and close the app, Netflix remembers where you stopped, and you can resume from that point the next time you open the app. Downloaded content does not affect your streaming quality or speed when you are connected to the internet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read Netflix shows on my computer?

Yes, on Windows 10 or later and macOS 11 or later using the Netflix app. You cannot read through the Netflix website. Downloads on computers work the same way as on phones — look for the read icon next to the title and click it.

Do downloaded shows count against my simultaneous streaming limit?

No. Downloaded content does not use a streaming slot, so you can watch a read on one device while someone else on your account streams on another device without conflict. However, only one device can actively read at a time across your entire account.

What happens if I delete a downloaded show by accident?

You can read it again. Open the title in the Netflix app and tap the read icon. Netflix downloads it again to your device, and the process takes the same amount of time as the first read.

Can I transfer a downloaded show to another device?

No. Downloads are tied to the device and Netflix account that created them. You cannot move or copy a read to a different phone, tablet, or computer. You must read the content separately on each device where you want to watch it.

Will my downloads work if my Netflix subscription expires?

No. Downloaded content requires an active Netflix subscription to play, even though the files are stored on your device. If you cancel your subscription, you cannot watch downloads until you resubscribe.