How To Download Movies On YouTube To Watch Offline

To download movies on YouTube for offline viewing, you need a YouTube Premium subscription. This official feature lets you save movies directly to your mobile device or computer so you can watch them without an internet connection, though downloads are encrypted and expire after about 30 days.

What you need to download movies on YouTube

A YouTube Premium subscription is required to download any video, including movies, for offline playback. This feature works on mobile devices running Android or iOS, as well as on desktop computers through web browsers like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera. For a more tailored experience on Apple tablets, you can download movies to my iPad to watch offline with steps specific to that device's larger screen and storage options. If you’ve already bought a film and want to save it for offline viewing, you can download purchased movies from YouTube without needing a Premium plan. Once downloaded, movies are stored encrypted within the YouTube app and can only be played inside that app. They remain available for up to 29-30 days; after that period, you must reconnect to the internet so the app can verify availability and refresh the download license.

How to download a movie on the YouTube mobile app

Follow these steps to save a movie to your phone or tablet:

Open the YouTube app and sign in to your Premium account.
Use the search bar to find the movie you want to download. Look for the official upload, which usually has a verified checkmark and full title.
Tap the movie’s thumbnail to open its video page.
Locate the download button (a downward arrow inside a circle) in the row of options beneath the video player. Tap it.
Choose your preferred video quality from the options provided. Higher resolutions produce larger files.
Confirm your selection, and the download will begin. You can track progress in your device’s notifications or the app’s download section.
Once complete, open the Library tab (usually at the bottom of the app) and select Downloads to find and play your movie offline.

How to download a movie on a computer

Desktop users can also download movies through a supported web browser. Make sure you are signed into your YouTube Premium account, then follow these steps:

Navigate to YouTube.com and search for the movie you want.
Open the movie’s video page.
Click the Download button located beneath the video player.
Select your desired video quality and confirm the download.
To access the file, go to the You section (your profile icon) and choose Downloads from the menu. The movie will play only within the YouTube interface.

Why some movies can't be downloaded

Not every movie on YouTube has a download button. This is usually due to content restrictions set by the uploader or rights holder, or because the movie is not licensed for offline viewing in your region. Even if a movie is available for download, the offline license expires after 29-30 days. When that happens, you must reconnect to the internet so the app can refresh the license; until then, the movie will not play. If you are looking for a similar feature on another platform, you might want to learn how to download on Tubi, which offers its own offline viewing options for select content.

Managing your downloaded movies and settings

You can control your offline library and download preferences directly in the YouTube app. To change the default download quality, open the app’s settings, navigate to the Downloads section, and select your preferred resolution. To free up storage space, go to the Library tab, open Downloads, tap the menu next to any movie, and choose Delete. All download-related settings are found within the YouTube app’s settings menu, allowing you to manage your offline experience without leaving the app.