The rise of streaming services has granted viewers access to countless movies and TV shows that they might not have ever considered previously. Recently, streaming services like Hulu have also introduced a download feature where subscribers can save their content for viewing later on, or in places where there’s no WiFi connection.
Hulu allows viewers to download movies or shows and watch them offline with an easy download process. There are a few stipulations, however: You must have the premium version of Hulu, downloads aren’t available on every device, and you can only have 25 downloads at any one time.
Let’s take a closer look at how to download movies and shows from Hulu, how many you can download, how long the downloads last, and some other important questions about the downloading process.
Can You Download Movies and TV Shows on Hulu?
Hulu, like many other streaming services, has introduced the ability to download movies and TV shows.
However, there are two versions of Hulu: the basic, cheaper version that has ads throughout its shows and movies, and the premium, ad-free version. You can’t download your favorite shows and movies on the basic version. So, if you want this feature, you’ll have to upgrade to premium.
Does Downloading Work on Any Device?
Like most streaming services, Hulu is particular about the devices you can download on — presumably due to security issues with computers and how easy it would be to pirate the content.
To download from Hulu, you must use one of the following supported devices:
- iPhones
- iPads
- Android mobile devices
- Amazon Fire tablets (on Amazon)
You’ll have to use the official Hulu app to download content; you can’t download the content from within a browser. You should also make sure your specific device is supported, as older models may not always be compatible.
How Many Shows Can You Download at Once?
You’re only allowed to have 25 downloads at once on your Hulu app (which means 25 movies or single episodes of TV shows, not 25 TV shows total). Once you’ve hit this limit, you’ll get a popup asking you to give some of them up before you can proceed with more.
Fortunately, it’s easy to delete the old downloads and then move ahead with some new ones, so if you’re binging a show, you can watch it in blocks of 25 episodes.
A Step-By-Step Guide
If you’re ready to download your favorite shows or movies, you can follow these steps to do so:
- Access the search bar in the Hulu app.
- Choose the ‘Downloadable‘ filter.
- Navigate through the shows and movies to choose which ones you want to download.
Alternatively, you can search for your favorite show or movie and check if there’s a downloadable icon next to it. Not every movie and show is available for download on Hulu.
How Long Do Downloads Last?
For the most part, you’ll have access to downloads for 30 days. The only time this may not be true is if Hulu removes the title before the download limit time is up, and then it will be removed from your library right away.
Once you start playing the video, you’ll have to finish it within 48 hours or it will expire. There are, however, ways to renew the download if this happens to you.
How to Renew Expired Downloads
If you don’t finish watching the download within 48 hours, you can follow these steps to get it back.
In the navigation bar, you should be able to hit ‘Downloads.’ Find the one that expired and you’ll see an exclamation point beside it, letting you know that it’s gone.
If you hit the exclamation point, you should be presented with the option to renew the download. This can also be done if you don’t get around to watching it within 30 days.
Other Frequently Asked Questions About Hulu Downloads
There are some other things to be aware of before you go ahead and start downloading from Hulu.
Do Downloads Use Data?
If you’re connected to WiFi when downloading a movie or show, the process shouldn’t use any mobile data (unless you have WiFi Assist turned on and don’t have a strong connection). If you use your mobile data when downloading then yes, downloading can eat up your data quite fast.
When actually playing downloaded content on a device, however, no data will be used, so feel free to play the content while out and about without worrying.
Can I Watch Downloaded Content on Other Devices?
No. Downloaded Hulu content is only available on the device it was downloaded on. If you want the content on another device, you’ll have to log into your Hulu account there and download it (and again, there are only certain supported mobile devices; you can’t do this on a laptop).
What Happens if I Downgrade My Plan?
If you have existing downloads when you choose to downgrade your plan to the basic version, they will expire. The only way you’ll be able to get them back and watch offline again is if you reinstate the premium version of Hulu.
If I Log Out of Hulu, Will the Downloads Be Waiting When I Get Back?
If you log out of Hulu on a device, it will automatically delete all downloaded content. You can go in and re-download it if you choose to.
Is There Any Way to Download Other Hulu Shows and Movies?
If Hulu shows and movies are not specifically marked for download, then there’s no way to officially download them. There is an unofficial way to do so, however.
If you have an iPhone and MacBook, you can connect your iPhone to the MacBook via USB cable and open QuickTime. Choose ‘New Movie Recording‘ and then change the recording settings to your iPhone.
Open Hulu on your iPhone, play the movie or show you want to download, and then hit Record on your laptop. Stop the recording when the video finishes.
You’ll then be able to save that file to your laptop. If you don’t have a MacBook, you can find various screen recording software online for other devices, but you may have to pay for it.
Overall, Hulu makes downloading content easy, but it does come with a lot of stipulations. You must have Hulu (No Ads) or Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV and must keep that subscription. You must also remain logged in on the device and only have 30 days to watch the content (or 48 hours if you’ve already started playing it).
Still, it’s a great option for those who have a show or movie they want to watch when they’re on the go with their mobile device.