Everything you need to know about Netflix offline viewing

Netflix have announced that subscribers will be able to download movies and TV shows for offline playback. YES, that means you can bloody watch Netflix wherever you want without using ALL your data! Now, anyone with a Netflix subscription can download movies and TV shows to watch when they’re not connected to the internet.

This feature will also be super handy for users who are frequent travelers. 

Here's everything you need to know about this new feature!

How to start downloading movies

You can only download Netflix videos using the iOS or Android app. Netflix requires users to have the iOS 8.0 or later and Android 4.4.2 or later, in addition to having the latest version of the app. Downloading videos will consume about as much data as streaming.

How much storage space you’ll need

The size of downloadable Netflix files depends on how long the video is. For example, one episode of Black Mirror with a running time of 1 hour and 3 minutes is about 280 megabytes in standard definition. The high-definition version of the same episode clocks in at 440 megabytes.

How much storage space you’ll need to binge

This feature is awesome because it means you can load up a whole lot of content for long trips. For a flight that is, say, 5 1/2 hours, you’d need six Black Mirror episodes. That would require 1.86 gigabytes of free space for SD and 2.45 gigabytes for HD. 

How to get the best quality video

You can choose whether you want standard-definition video—which is faster to download and takes up less space—or high-definition video. In order to keep downloads quick, Netflix sets downloads to standard video (720x480) by default. According to a Netflix spokesperson, HD support will vary by device. 

How to move files to a desktop or laptop (Spoiler: You can’t)

FML. You must use the Netflix app to download and view saved videos.

How to keep downloads from expiring

Each Netflix download has a different expiration time. Movies and TV shows that expire from your device in less than 7 days will display how much time is left in the “My Downloads” section of the Netflix app. For some movies and shows, offline viewing must be completed within 48 hours of the moment you press play.