To watch movies without wifi, use the download feature built into the streaming services you already pay for, such as Netflix, Disney+, or Prime Video. This lets you save movies directly to your phone or tablet for offline playback on a plane or during a commute.
How to watch movies without wifi using streaming apps
The most common method is using the official download features of major streaming services. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, Max, and YouTube Premium all offer in-app download options for offline viewing. An active subscription is required, and often only ad-free or premium tiers include this feature. To get started, open the respective app, find the movie or show, and tap the download icon, which is usually a down arrow.
Step-by-step: how to download on Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+
The universal steps are simple: find the download button, choose your quality, and locate the file later in the app's dedicated downloads section. Here are specific notes for each major platform.
- Open the app and browse for the movie or show you want.
- Tap the download icon (a downward arrow) next to the title.
- If prompted, select your preferred download quality (e.g., Standard, Medium, or High) to manage storage space and download speed.
- Wait for the download to complete. You can find all saved content in the "Downloads" or "Library" tab within the app.
For Netflix and Prime Video, downloads are supported on mobile devices and sometimes on laptops via specific apps. The process is otherwise identical.
Important rules and limits for offline viewing
Downloaded content is not permanent. For example, Disney+ downloads expire after 30 days if the device isn't reconnected to the internet, or 48 hours after you start watching. Device compatibility also varies: Disney+ downloads are limited to smartphones and tablets, while other services may support laptops. Download caps apply per account; Max Standard plans allow up to 30 downloads across all devices, and Premium plans allow up to 100 downloads. You cannot cast or AirPlay downloaded content from streaming apps to a TV, as that feature is generally not permitted. Always ensure you have enough storage space and an active subscription to keep your downloads valid.
How to rent or buy digital movies for offline playback
Digital movie retailers like Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, and Movies Anywhere allow you to purchase or rent movies and download them for offline viewing within their respective apps. Movies Anywhere centralizes purchases from various retailers and allows downloading to iOS (14+), Android, and Amazon Fire Tablet devices. You must sign in at least once every 90 days to keep downloads active. For those looking to download movies for free to watch offline, the only legal method is to use free, ad-supported services that offer downloads, such as the option to download on Tubi, though availability varies by title and region.
How to play your own video files offline
If you have MP4, MKV, or other video files stored on your computer, you can transfer them to your phone or tablet for offline playback. Connect your device via USB cable, use a Wi-Fi file transfer app, or upload to cloud storage and then download locally. Once the files are on your device, use a dedicated video player app like VLC, MX Player, or Plex to play them without an internet connection. For Plex on Android, playing a video format for the first time may require an internet connection to update player support components, but subsequent playback of that format can be done offline. If you need to watch on a bigger screen, consider connecting phone to TV without Wi-Fi using a compatible cable or adapter, as casting or AirPlaying downloaded content from streaming apps is not supported.
