How To Download Movies & TV Shows For Offline Viewing [Guide]

Prof. Susana Farrell 13 May 2025

Ever found yourself on a long flight, a train ride through the countryside, or simply in a place with spotty internet, yearning to watch that movie you've been meaning to see? The ability to download movies and TV shows for offline viewing has become a necessity, not a luxury, in today's world.

But how do you navigate the world of digital downloads, especially when it comes to services like Microsoft Movies & TV (now known as Movies & TV) and other platforms? The process, while seemingly straightforward, can often be riddled with questions and potential pitfalls. From understanding digital rights management (DRM) to ensuring compatibility across various devices, there's a lot to unpack. And what about those unexpected data charges when you accidentally download a movie using your mobile network? Let's delve into the details and explore how to legally and effectively download movies and TV shows for offline enjoyment.

Topic	Details
Platform	Microsoft Movies & TV (now Movies & TV) - Formerly Xbox Movies, Google Play Movies & TV, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Movies Anywhere, Crackle, Aha(India's OTT), Moviefoundonline
Primary Function	Digital distribution of movies and TV shows for purchase, rental, and streaming. Select platform offers download feature to watch offline.
Devices Supported	Windows 10/11 computers and tablets, Xbox consoles, Android devices, iOS devices (iPhone, iPad), Amazon Fire tablets, Smart TVs.
Content Protection	Digital Rights Management (DRM) to protect copyrighted content.
Download Availability	Availability depends on the movie/show and the platform's licensing agreements.
Offline Viewing	Allows users to download purchased or rented content for viewing without an internet connection.
Streaming	Allows users to watch video in real time without downloading
Microsoft Store	Integrated store within Windows for purchasing and renting movies and TV shows.
Third-party Players	DRM-protected content may not be playable on all media players (e.g., Windows Media Player).
Country Restrictions	Some products and features may not be available in all countries.
Data Charges	Downloading videos using mobile data may incur additional charges from your carrier.

The initial hurdle often involves understanding which platforms actually allow downloads. While streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu offer download options for many titles, the Microsoft Movies & TV app (and its successor) also enables users to download purchased or rented content. This is particularly useful for those who have built up a digital library within the Microsoft ecosystem. But here's the catch: not all movies and TV shows are available for download, even if you've purchased them. This is due to licensing agreements between the content providers and the platforms.

To initiate a download, the process is generally quite simple. On your device, whether it's a Windows 10 or 11 computer, a Surface Pro tablet, or an Xbox console, you'll need to open the Movies & TV app (or the Google Play Movies & TV app if you're on an Android or other compatible device). Once inside the app, navigate to your library, where all your purchased and rented content is stored. Find the movie or TV show you want to download and look for a download icon or button. If the option is available, tapping or clicking on it will start the download process. Keep in mind that the download speed will depend on your internet connection and the size of the file.

For those using mobile devices like iPhones, iPads, Android phones, or Amazon Fire tablets, the process is similar. Open the respective app (e.g., the Amazon Prime Video app on a Fire tablet), find the content you want to download, and look for the download icon. Some apps may require you to select a download quality before starting the process. Higher quality downloads will result in larger file sizes and longer download times.

One crucial aspect to consider is where the downloaded files are stored. By default, the Movies & TV app on Windows 10/11 stores downloads in a specific location on your hard drive. However, you may want to change the default download location, especially if you have limited space on your primary drive. To do this, you'll need to delve into the app's settings and specify a new location. This can be particularly useful if you're using a Surface Pro with a removable microSD card, as you can store your downloads on the card to free up space on the internal storage.

Now, let's talk about DRM. Digital Rights Management is a technology used to protect copyrighted content from unauthorized copying and distribution. Movies and TV shows purchased from the Microsoft Store are often protected by DRM, which means they can only be played back on authorized devices and through authorized apps. This is why you might not be able to play a downloaded movie using just any media player, including Windows Media Player, without the proper licensing and authorization. The Movies & TV app is designed to handle DRM-protected content, ensuring that you can play back your purchases and rentals without any issues.

However, there can be instances where playback issues arise. If you encounter problems playing a downloaded movie, especially if you're trying to play it from an external drive, it's recommended to ensure that you're signed in to the Movies & TV app with the same Microsoft account you used to purchase or rent the movie. Additionally, try installing the Windows Media Player from the Xbox Microsoft Store, as it may have the necessary codecs and DRM components to play the content. If all else fails, consider submitting a feature request to the Movies & TV app developers, suggesting that they improve the app's compatibility with various media players and storage devices.

For those looking for alternative sources of movies and TV shows for offline viewing, there are several legal options available. Streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video offer a wide selection of content that can be downloaded for offline viewing. Additionally, there are websites like MoviesFoundOnline and Crackle that offer free movies and TV shows, some of which may be available for download. However, it's important to ensure that you're only downloading content from legal sources to avoid copyright infringement.

Aha, India's premium OTT service, is another option for those interested in Telugu and Tamil content. It offers movies, web series, TV shows, and live TV channels in HD and 4K quality, and users can download movies for offline viewing without a subscription fee. Similarly, Nollywood releases from Nigeria's vibrant film industry can be found on various platforms, showcasing African culture and heritage.

Movies Anywhere is a service that allows you to connect your digital accounts from various platforms like Apple iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home, Xfinity, Google Play/YouTube, Microsoft Movies & TV, Verizon Fios TV, and DirecTV, and import your movies into a single library. This makes it easier to manage your digital movie collection and watch your movies on different devices. Many of the movies in your Movies Anywhere collection can also be downloaded for offline viewing.

When downloading movies using mobile data, it's crucial to be aware of potential data charges from your carrier. Downloading large files can quickly eat into your data allowance, resulting in unexpected fees. To avoid this, it's recommended to download movies only when you're connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Here's a step-by-step guide to downloading movies and TV shows for offline viewing on various platforms:

Purchase or Rent the Movie/TV Show: Start by purchasing or renting the movie or TV show episode you want to download on a computer, mobile device, or smart TV.
Open the App: On your device, open the Google Play Movies & TV app, the Movies & TV app, or any other relevant app (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu).
Navigate to Your Library: Tap on the menu or your profile picture and go to your library, where all your purchased and rented content is stored.
Find the Movie/TV Show: Locate the movie or TV show you want to download for offline viewing.
Look for the Download Button: If the movie or TV show is available for download, you'll see a download button or icon.
Click the Download Button: Tap or click on the download button to start the download process.
Choose a Location: Depending on the app, you may be prompted to select a location where you want to save the movie file on your device.
Wait for the Download to Complete: The download time will depend on the size of the file and your internet connection speed.
Enjoy Offline Viewing: Once the download is complete, you can watch the movie or TV show offline, even without an internet connection.

For Netflix subscribers, downloading movies and TV shows is a straightforward process using the Netflix app on various devices, including Android phones and tablets, iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, Amazon Fire tablets, and Windows 10 or 11 tablets or computers. Simply find the content you want to download and tap on the download icon.

When deleting downloaded movies, navigate to the download settings within the app you are using and select the content you wish to remove from your device.

So, whether you're looking to catch up on your favorite TV shows during your daily commute or want to enjoy a movie on a long flight, downloading movies and TV shows for offline viewing is a convenient and practical solution. By understanding the various platforms, DRM restrictions, and legal options available, you can build a digital library that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere, without worrying about internet connectivity or data charges.