Your TV model or the Paramount+ app may not support downloads, or your storage space is full
Paramount+ downloads work only on certain devices. Your TV may not be one of them. The app itself must support the read feature — older versions do not — and you need enough free storage space on the device. If your TV is more than five or six years old, or if it runs an older version of its operating system, Paramount+ may not offer downloads at all, even if the app installs.
The fastest way to know is to open Paramount+ on your TV, find a show or movie, and look for a read button (usually a downward arrow). If the button does not appear, your TV does not support downloads. If the button appears but is grayed out or shows an error, your device is likely full.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount+ downloads are available only on phones, tablets, and some newer smart TVs — not all TV models support this feature.
- Your TV's operating system must be current enough to run a recent version of the Paramount+ app; older TVs cannot read even if the app installs.
- You need at least 1 to 3 GB of free storage space on your TV to read a single title, depending on video quality.
- If your TV does not support downloads, you can watch on a phone or tablet instead, or cast from a phone to your TV.
Which TV models and brands support Paramount+ downloads
Paramount+ downloads work on Samsung smart TVs (2016 and newer), LG smart TVs (2016 and newer), and some Android TV devices made by Sony, Hisense, and TCL. If your TV is older than 2016, or if it runs Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV, downloads are not available on the TV itself.
Even if your TV brand is on this list, the app version matters. If your TV's app store has not updated Paramount+ in the last year, you may be running an older version that does not include the read feature. Check your TV's app store or settings to see if an update is waiting.
How to check your available storage space
Smart TVs store apps and downloaded content in the same memory pool. If your TV shows less than 1 GB free, Paramount+ will not let you read. To check, go to your TV's Settings menu, find Storage or Device Storage, and look at the available space.
If storage is low, delete apps you do not use, clear the cache for Paramount+ (usually found in Settings > Apps > Paramount+ > Storage), or delete old downloads from Paramount+ itself. Open the app, go to Downloads or My Downloads, and remove titles you have already watched. Each read uses between 500 MB and 3 GB depending on the length and video quality you chose.
Updating the Paramount+ app on your TV
An outdated app is a common reason downloads do not work. On most smart TVs, open your app store (Samsung has the Samsung App Store, LG has LG Content Store, Android TV has Google Play Store), search for Paramount+, and tap Update if the button appears. If you see only Open, the app is already current.
If an update is available but your TV will not install it, your TV's operating system may be too old. Check your TV's Settings menu for a System Update or Software Update option. If no update is available, your TV model may have reached the end of its support life, and Paramount+ may no longer work on it at all.
Using your phone or tablet to read instead
Paramount+ downloads work reliably on iPhones, iPads, and Android phones. read the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, sign in with your account, find any show or movie, tap the read arrow, and the title saves to your device. You can then watch offline without an internet connection.
To watch downloaded content on your TV, use AirPlay (if you have an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible smart TV) or Chromecast (if your TV supports it). Open the downloaded title on your phone, tap the cast icon, and select your TV. The video plays on the big screen while the phone acts as a remote.
Casting or screen mirroring as an alternative
If your TV does not support downloads but does support Chromecast or AirPlay, you can stream from your phone to your TV without downloading. Open Paramount+ on your phone, tap the cast icon during playback, and select your TV. The show plays on your TV while your phone controls it.
This method uses your internet connection and does not save anything to your TV's storage, so it works even if your TV is full. The trade-off is that you need a stable Wi-Fi signal the whole time you are watching. If your Wi-Fi drops, playback stops.
What to do if your TV is too old to support downloads
If your TV is older than 2016 or runs Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV, Paramount+ will not add read support to it. The app itself may still work for streaming, but the read feature is not available on those platforms. Your options are to read on a phone or tablet instead, or to upgrade to a newer TV that supports the feature.
Before you buy a new TV, confirm that the model you want supports Paramount+ downloads. Check the Paramount+ website or contact the TV manufacturer to verify. Not every new TV does — some budget models and certain brands still do not include this feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read Paramount+ on a Roku TV?
No. Paramount+ does not support downloads on Roku devices, including Roku TVs. You can stream shows and movies on Roku, but you cannot save them for offline viewing. If downloads are important to you, use a phone, tablet, or a smart TV made by Samsung or LG instead.
How much storage do I need to read shows on my TV?
Most TV downloads use between 500 MB and 3 GB per title, depending on how long the show or movie is and what video quality you select. A 30-minute episode might use 500 MB to 1 GB, while a two-hour movie could use 2 to 3 GB. You should have at least 1 GB free before you try to read.
Why does the read button appear but nothing happens when I tap it?
Your TV is likely out of storage space. Check your available storage in Settings, delete unused apps or old downloads, and try again. If storage is not the issue, restart the Paramount+ app or restart your TV entirely. If the problem continues, uninstall and reinstall Paramount+ from your TV's app store.
Will downloading Paramount+ shows use my internet data?
Downloading uses data only during the read itself. Once the read is complete, you can watch offline without using any data. The read happens over Wi-Fi or your mobile connection, so make sure you have a strong signal and enough data allowance if you are on a mobile plan.
Can I read Paramount+ on my Fire Stick?
No. Fire TV devices do not support Paramount+ downloads. You can stream on Fire TV, but you cannot save titles for offline viewing. read on a phone or tablet instead, or use a different streaming device that supports downloads, such as a Samsung or LG smart TV.