Netflix has allowed users to download shows and movies using the Netflix mobile app since late 2016. Meaning, you can watch movies and shows when you’re on a plane, or without an internet connection. Heck, downloading Netflix content while at home and connected to Wi-Fi is a super-easy way to save on your mobile data plan while on the go. Android even have the option to offload content to a microSD card, should their device have support for it.
Watch this: Download Netflix shows and movies on your phone or tablet
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According to Netflix, downloading is available on Android devices running Android 4.4.2 and up, as well as iOS 9.0 or later.
Download time!
The first time you sign into the Netflix app, it displays a dialog showing the download symbol used to initiate a download. More importantly, at the bottom of the popup is a link that takes you to all of the movies and shows you can currently download. Select it! Don’t worry if you close the prompt before reading it, there’s a new Available for Download category located in the search section of the app.
Downloading a show is as easy as tapping on the download button and letting the app take care of the rest. Ideally, you’ll want to have a Wi-Fi connection when doing so. Alternatively, you can always look for the download button when browsing the Netflix catalog.
You can set the download quality by opening the menu and going to App Settings and choosing between standard and high Video Quality. High will, of course, take up more storage space on your phone.
Smart downloads
Android users have a Smart Downloads setting that, when enabled, will automatically delete episodes you’ve watched and download more episodes without any action on your part.
Android users can enable (or disable) the feature by opening the Netflix app and going to App Settings. Move the Smart Downloads switch to the On or Off position.
As we previously covered, the feature is one-for-one. If you binge watch three episodes of a series that has been downloaded, the next time you connect to Wi-Fi, Netflix will delete those three episodes and download the next three.
Manage downloads
If you’d rather not use Smart Downloads, or use iOS, you can manually manage your downloaded content.
To delete content, select the Downloads tab at the bottom, and then tap on the show you want to manage. Remove a single episode with a tap on the blue icon to the right, followed by Delete Download, or tap the Edit pencil icon to remove multiple episodes at the same time.
To delete all downloads in one step, go to App Settings and select Delete All Downloads.
Storage
To view and manage your downloaded shows, visit the App Settings and look for the Downloads section. There you can see just how much space your Netflix apps are taking up on your device.
The only limitation to the amount of storage Netflix will use is the amount of storage your phone has. In other words, if you have a 128GB phone, you can use as much of that as you want to store shows you normally binge-watch.
For those Android users who have a device with microSD support, Netflix now allows you to store shows on external storage. In the Netflix app go to App Settings > Download Location. Select your SD Card, then press the back button.
Editors’ note: This post was originally published December 2, 2016. It has since been updated to reflect changes in the download procedure.
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