If you are a Netflix user, you may have taken advantage of the streaming platform’s offline download feature, which allows you to download TV shows and movies to your device and watch them without an internet connection.
While this feature is convenient for watching content on the go or in areas with limited or no internet access, you may be wondering how long the downloaded content will last. The short answer to that is a week, and the long answer is it depends.
In this blog, we will explore the expiration dates of Netflix downloads and what you can do to extend their lifespan (if any).
How Long Do Netflix Downloads Last in General?
You can enjoy streaming your favorite Netflix content for up to 7 days after downloading them once. It comes in extremely handy, especially if you’re someone who travels quite often. That way, you can stream Netflix on the go.
However, the expiry period for any downloaded content goes down quickly to just 2 days as soon as you start watching it. Therefore, you’ve got a short period of 2 days before you’ll need to redownload the content.
That said, the download expiry period remains 7 days so long as you’ve not started watching the content. It matters not whether you’ve finished watching the movie or episode. Netflix will lessen the expiry period regardless. But other than downloading Netflix content offline, you can also learn to use Netflix for free.
Why Netflix Downloads Disappear – Two Major Factors
It’s crucial to understand certain Netflix aspects to answer why downloads disappear on Netflix after a certain period.
Firstly, it’s not up to Netflix to decide how long Netflix downloads will last. That’s because that right solely belongs to the creators/production houses who make the content available on Netflix.
The reason is obvious. The creators don’t want their content lying as a downloaded item within users’ profiles. They simply wish to maintain relevance on the streaming platform and therefore generate more revenue.
Secondly, two major factors have a heavy impact on the available downloaded content.
Content Expiration Date
TV shows and movies aren’t available for streaming on Netflix forever. Creators often have a limited contract with the streaming platform. The downloaded Netflix content will remain in your account so long as the creators make it available for streaming on the platform.
It won’t matter whether you’ve downloaded the content or not once the creators remove the content from Netflix. The above factor plays a huge role in deciding how long Netflix downloads will actually remain in your profile.
That’s why we suggest you check how long the content you wish to download will be available on Netflix.
Download Availability
You can find many types of content on Netflix. Some are licensed content that’s produced in collaboration with another party which is then made available for streaming on Netflix. Plus, Netflix has its own section of original content that you can stream.
However, it doesn’t mean you can download any Netflix content. It depends solely on if and when the creators make it available for you to download. But content expiration remains 7 days even if the content is a Netflix original.
As mentioned earlier, you must check the content expiration date if you want to make the best of your download. You can find it either under Detail or towards the side when downloading the content.
Alternative streaming options for watching content offline
- Some streaming services, such as Amazon Prime Video and Hulu, also offer an offline download feature.
- You can purchase or rent digital copies of TV shows and movies from online retailers such as Google Play and iTunes.
- Consider subscribing to a streaming service that specifically focuses on offline viewings, such as Viki Pass or Viu.
Get a VPN To Access All Netflix Libraries
Netflix is good.
Netflix without ads is better.
Netflix without Ads and without Geo-Blocking is best.
It has extensive digital libraries with regional content worth watching. You can unlock all that with a good VPN.
We recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN to watch Netflix. (We stream Netflix too! Using ExpressVPN.)
Here’s how to do it:
- Get ExpressVPN Here! Custom Discount + 3 Months Free For our Readers.
- Download the ExpressVPN app on your device.
- Connect to any server from a Netflix-supported region.
- Watch Netflix Ad-free. Access any Geo-blocked content.
- Enjoy best-in-class Security for Streaming or simply Surfing the Web!
Now that we’ve answered the question “how long do Netflix downloads last,” we’d love to let you know that you can stream Netflix with friends and watch your favorite content together.
