The Prime Video app on Windows 10/11 and macOS only lets you download encrypted files that pretty much stay trapped inside the app. Not real MP4s you can copy, edit, or back up. If you want an actual MP4, you’ll have to use outsiders: something basic like Any Converter, or maybe StreamFab Amazon Downloader, or even RecordFab. Whatever you use, just keep the MP4s for your own offline binge sessions, don’t upload or send them everywhere.
I bought the first episode of Rick & Morty season 8 on Amazon Prime Video yesterday and hit the same wall many people still complain about in 2025. The app lets you "download" shows and movies, but those files are locked inside Amazon's ecosystem: they expire, they can't be copied to a USB drive, and they definitely won't open in VLC or other players.
If you wonder if you can and how to convert Amazon Prime Video to MP4 on your PC, you probably feel the same. What you really want is a true MP4 file you can keep, back up safely, and play on any device without worrying about Amazon suddenly removing access.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the real options available in 2025, from simple converters to full-featured downloaders and recorders. I’ll highlight their pros and cons, show what the community says about them, and help you decide which approach fits your own Prime Video setup on Windows or macOS.
Can You Convert Amazon Prime Video to MP4?
Officially no. Most people start with the official Amazon Prime Video app because it allows downloads. On Windows 10/11, there’s a Microsoft Store app, and on macOS, there’s a Prime Video app as well. These apps let you download movies or TV episodes to watch offline.
However, there are several download limits of Amazon Prime Video that make these downloads very different from an MP4 file:
- DRM encryption: The videos are stored in a protected format. You can only play them back inside the Prime Video app, not on VLC or QuickTime.
- Device restrictions: Downloads are tied to your Amazon account and device. If you switch devices, you can’t just copy the file across.
- Expiry rules: In most cases, Amazon allows you to keep a downloaded video for 30 days, and once you start watching, you may have only 48 hours before it expires.
- Resolution limits: While Prime streams support 4K, downloads are often capped at 720p or 1080p, depending on the device.
- I pretty agree with someone who said that we don’t actually own the file; instead, we only have a license to watch it. That’s why so many people search for methods to convert Amazon Prime Video to MP4 on Windows/Mac devices. We’re looking for a true, transferable file that doesn’t vanish when Amazon says so, aren't we?
Legality & Safety: What You Should Know About Third-Party Tools
Whenever the topic involves actions on streaming services, two questions always follow: “Is it legal?” and “Is it safe?” Let’s clear these up.
Legality
In most cases, the safest rule of thumb is simple: only download or record titles you’ve legitimately paid for and keep them strictly for personal offline viewing. Personal backups and time-shifted playback for yourself are treated very differently from redistribution or public sharing.
- ✅ Using third-party tools to keep a private backup of what you already pay for is very different from piracy.
- ❌ Uploading MP4 files to public sites, sharing them widely, or selling copies clearly violates the terms of service.
- ❌ Trying to access titles you never paid for is not acceptable, no matter which tool you use.
On the other hand, there are no legitimate third-party tools that can simply bypass Amazon’s paywall. Everything I cover here still relies on the access your existing Amazon Prime Video account has, and you should never try to stretch that beyond what your subscription actually includes.
Safety
Back to the third-party tools themselves, they always raise pure concerns about whether they are safe to install. The reality is mixed, in fact. Reputable software (StreamFab, AnyVideo Converter, RecordFab, etc.) is generally safe. They’re commercial programs, updated regularly, and tested by users across Windows and Mac. I’ve scanned its installers with antivirus tools, and no malware was found.
Unverified websites or “free online converters” are another story. Many of these are scams that either don’t work at all or, worse, attempt to install unwanted software. Users often warn: “If a site promises free Prime to MP4 conversion in one click, it’s fake.”
If what you want to ask is, will using them cause your account to get banned, which is related to your credential safety, the only thing I confirmed about this is that most tools mimic normal playback requests, so from Amazon’s side, it looks like you’re streaming. The main risk comes if you abuse downloads (e.g., mass downloading and distributing content). That could potentially trigger red flags.
- Only download or record titles that your Amazon account can legitimately access.
- Keep all MP4 copies for personal offline viewing and don’t upload or share them elsewhere.
- Download software like StreamFab, Any Converter, and RecordFab only from their official websites.
- Avoid tools or sites that promise “one-click free Prime to MP4” with no clear publisher or user feedback.
- Don’t try to automate mass downloading of entire catalogs, which is more likely to trigger account issues.
How to Convert Amazon Prime Video to MP4?
Since the official app can’t provide a transferable MP4, most users turn to third-party downloader tools. These programs work on both Windows and macOS, and they let you log into Amazon, choose a show or movie, and save it directly as an MP4 file.
1. Convert Amazon Prime Video to MP4 with A Converter
The first tool I'm about to introduce is Any Converter. Just like its name says, it can convert Amazon Prime Video to MP4 or even other formats like M4V, etc., in 720p quality, and sometimes can reach 1080p. It attracts me with its GPU acceleration function, which can boost the conversions on Amazon videos.
One thing I dislike is that a number of its functions are unlocked by upgrading to the pro version with an extra charge. Which means if I'm using a free version of Any Converter, I cannot even customize the quality to Amazon Prime Video conversions, cannot use the batch converting function, and cannot change the output format to anything else.
If you decide to use Any Converter, here are the steps to convert Amazon movies to MP4 for free with it:
Download and install Any Converter on your PC, then launch it.
Copy the Amazon video link, and Any Converter will auto-analyze it.
Select MP4 as the output format and adjust any desired settings.
Click "Convert Now" to export the video as an MP4 file to your chosen location.
2. Convert Amazon Prime Video to MP4 with A Downloader
As I tested, StreamFab Amazon Downloader is a reliable choice for those who want to convert Amazon videos to MP4 in a high-quality. During its free trial, it maintained 1080p outputs with EAC3 5.1 audio effect and successfully converted and downloaded 3 full-length Amazon movies to my desktop. I can also download rented movies on Amazon with it, like A Minecraft Movie.
The most favorite feature, for me, is its auto-download function. Let me break it down in simple words: once you turn this function on, you can leave StreamFab Amazon Downloader in the background, but it will still detect if there are new episodes released according to the schedule I set up and convert Amazon Prime Video to MP4 automatically to my computer.
- Download purchased, rented, or Amazon Prime membership videos
- Supports output 1080p full HD resolution and EAC3 5.1 audio
- Selectable codecs between H.264/H.265 and file format between MP4/MKV
- Ad removal is available for all kinds of Amazon Prime subscriptions
- Bulk download episodes and series of Amazon titles
- Automatically download the latest episode to the user's schedule
It has a built-in browser so that you don't have to manually copy & paste the Amazon Prime Video link to start downloads. If you haven't used it before and don't know how to download Amazon Prime Video to PC with it, here's a step-by-step guide.
Search for the desired video and play it; StreamFab will automatically detect the video and prompt you to download.
Choose MP4 as the output format and adjust any download settings as needed. Then click the "Download Now" button, and the video will be saved as an MP4 file to your chosen location.
- On Windows, saving MP4 files to an external drive or NAS can help you manage a larger Prime Video library more easily.
- On macOS (including Apple Silicon MacBook models), StreamFab runs natively and still lets you keep 1080p video with EAC3 5.1 audio.
- Whichever system you use, the basic workflow stays the same: log in, play the title, choose MP4 as the output, and let the downloader handle the rest.
- A more detailed guide for Mac users: Can You Download Amazon Prime Movies on Mac?
3. Convert Amazon Prime Video to MP4 with Recorder
If you are facing some unique limitations, such as your current place prohibits downloading, then this one might suit you.
RecordFab, as a streaming service recorder, shows good compatibility with Amazon Prime Video. It records the titles for personal offline copies to convert Amazon Prime Video to MP4. It supports 720p to 1080p output, and from the recorded Amazon videos, there is no obvious quality loss.
Different from traditional screen recorders, it won't cost me the same time as the Amazon titles finish playing. I can select the recording speed as I want, up to 2x faster speed to rip Amazon Prime Video, which saves me a lot of time to convert Amazon video to MP4.
Screen recording Amazon Prime Video is easier than you thought, with the assistance of RecordFab. You can follow the tutorial below to get started with it.
Open RecordFab and find Prime Video in the All Supported SitesUse its built-in browser to log in to your Amazon Prime account.
Find and play the Amazon Prime Video you want to record within the built-in browser.
Click the "Record" button to start capturing the video playback as it plays.
Comparison Between Amazon Prime Video Converters
To help you make a good idea of which one is the most suitable, I made a comparison between these Amazon video converters to let you know exactly what they can do and how they perform.
| Any Converter | StreamFab Amazon Downloader | RecordFab | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
System |
Win, Mac |
Win, Mac |
Win |
|
Resolution |
720p |
1080p |
720p/1080p |
|
Audio |
AAC 2.0 |
EAC3 5.1 |
Original |
|
Convert Speed |
3-4mb/s |
6-7mb/s |
2x faster |
|
Bulk processing |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Auto-tasks |
❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
- If you only convert occasionally and don’t mind some limits, Any Converter’s free tier is an easy way to test the waters.
- If you care about stable 1080p quality and long-term backups, StreamFab Amazon Downloader is the most balanced option.
- If downloads are blocked in your region or on your account, RecordFab’s recorder mode is a practical fallback.
- If you just want short-term offline viewing, the official Prime Video app alone might already be enough.
Common Issues When Converting Prime Video to MP4 (and Quick Fixes)
Even with the right tools, things do not always go smoothly. Below are a few issues that pop up most often in my own tests, plus the fixes that usually work.
- Downloads keep failing or getting stuck. First, double-check your network and restart the app or downloader. If the same title consistently fails, it is often due to temporary server or licensing issues on Amazon’s side, so switching to a different title is a quick way to confirm.
- You only get “offline viewing” inside the app, not a real MP4. The official app is fine if you just need short-term offline viewing. If that is all you want, this full guide on watching Amazon Prime Video offline walks through the official options without any extra tools.
- Certain channels or live events will not download. Add-on subscriptions and live broadcasts often follow separate licensing rules. When a title refuses to download, it is usually because it is part of a specific Prime Video Channel with stricter restrictions.
- Not sure if it is okay to share your MP4 files. Instead of sending files around, it is safer to keep backups private and use Amazon’s official ways to share Amazon Prime with family if you simply want others to watch legally.
FAQs
No. The downloads you make inside the Prime Video app are encrypted and tied to your account. You can only play them inside that app. To get an actual MP4 file, you need to use third-party downloader software to remove Amazon Prime Video DRM.
Not really. You might see websites advertising “Amazon Prime to MP4 online,” but community discussions warn that these are scams or simply don’t work with DRM. At best, you can use free trials of professional downloaders or free screen recorders (with the quality issues mentioned earlier).
3. Will Amazon detect or penalize me for downloading this way?
Tools work by mimicking normal playback requests, so to Amazon, it usually looks like you’re just streaming. It’s highly unlikely that your account will be flagged for personal downloads. Still, the safest approach is to keep the files private and not upload them elsewhere.
Final Words
Most folks who want to convert Amazon Prime Video to MP4 on Windows or Mac are just trying to save their favorite shows or movies. I mean, who doesn’t want those in a no-fuss, classic MP4 format that plays everywhere? After comparing the options, the landscape in 2025 looks like this:
- The official Prime Video app works for quick offline viewing, but its downloads are encrypted, device-locked, and temporary.
- Downloader tools (like StreamFab) are the most practical way to save Prime content as MP4. They support both Windows and Mac, deliver stable 1080p quality, and continue to update against Amazon’s DRM changes.
- Screen recording can be used as a last resort, but the common screen recorders are time-consuming and often plagued by quality issues. Using a dedicated streaming recorder is a better option.
Anyway, we should truly own what we pay for, we worry about the arms race with DRM, and we want a safe, reliable tool. And my final reminder is this: whatever method you choose, keep it for personal offline viewing. Don’t share or distribute the files. Used responsibly, converting Amazon Prime Video to MP4 can give you the freedom and permanence that Amazon’s official downloads simply don’t provide.
