- (Official App Guide) How to download Amazon Prime Video on MacBook
- (Official Limitations) Amazon Prime Video download limits & issues
- (Third-Party Tools) How to keep Amazon Prime videos permanently on Mac?
- (Overall Comparison) Which method suits you the best?
- FAQ 1: Any online tools for Amazon available on Mac?
- FAQ 2: Will the downloads expire on Mac?
- FAQ 3: Can I download Amazon rentals or purchased movies?
Can You Download Amazon Prime Movies on Mac?
The good news is that Amazon released a Prime Video app for macOS in late 2021, which allows offline downloads on Mac. That means you can now officially save Prime shows or movies to watch without internet on your MacBook. However, this solution comes with some limitations and hidden quirks that aren’t immediately obvious. For example, downloads expire after a while, and you can’t just copy the video files out of the app – things that have confused plenty of users.
Downloading Amazon Prime Video on Mac with the Official App
The first and most straightforward method to watch Prime Video offline on a MacBook is to use Amazon’s official Prime Video app for macOS. If you didn’t know such an app existed, you’re not alone – many users missed its debut. (One Reddit user even asked how to download movies on a Mac for a long flight, not realizing the Prime Video Mac app was available!)
The Prime Video app for Mac can be downloaded for free from the Mac App Store, and it gives you access to Amazon’s full catalog, including the ability to download videos to watch offline. Essentially, it works very similarly to the Prime Video mobile app that iPhone or Android users are familiar with. As long as you have a Prime Video membership, or you purchased/rented the titles, the download function on the Prime Video app for Mac, for you to watch Amazon Prime Video offline, is always available.
Step-by-Step: Using the Prime Video Mac App for Offline Viewing
Take a look at this simple operation guide if you haven't used the app to download Amazon Prime movies on Mac before:
Install the Amazon Prime Video app and sign in to your account.
Find a movie or show with the download icon and click on it.
Select your preferred download quality and confirm the download.
Access your downloaded videos in the "Downloads" section and watch them within the 30-day expiration period.
Limitations of Amazon Prime Video Downloads on Mac
However, using the official app is not a completely worry-free experience. There are some important Amazon Prime download limits that come up when using Amazon’s download feature on Mac. Let’s address those to avoid surprises.
- Most content can be downloaded on only one device at a time
- Not all movies and shows are available for download
- You must start watching downloaded content within 30 days
- Once playback begins, it will disappear after 48 hours
- There's a maximum limit on how many titles you can download, which varies by region
- Downloads are only playable in the Prime Video app
- You need to renew the subscription to keep access to Prime Video content
Besides, some users say that the Prime Video app is not optimized for Mac and sometimes is not convenient.
That’s a lot of limitations to keep in mind! Don’t get me wrong: the official Prime Video Mac app is a great convenience and the fact that Amazon offers offline viewing on Mac at all is a win for us users (remember, many streaming services still don’t on desktop). For most people, downloading a couple of shows to watch on the plane and then letting them expire is perfectly fine.
But if you’re an avid offline watcher or you were hoping to archive some videos long-term on your Mac, these restrictions can feel quite stifling. In that case, you might be interested in an alternative approach: using a third-party downloader to save Prime Video content as files that you control. I’ll cover that next.
Using a Third-Party Tools to Save Prime Videos Permanently
Because of the limitations above, a niche but growing number of Mac users turn to third-party software solutions to download Amazon Prime videos. These are programs not made by Amazon, but they let you log in to Prime Video and download Amazon Prime Video to PC as standard video files (like MP4 or MKV) that you can keep on your computer without expiration.
And here comes the prime thing you have to keep in mind before you reach the third-party tools, the legality.
Is It Legal to Use Third-Party Amazon Tools?
Let me say upfront: Using third-party downloaders is acceptable – they operate a bit like a web browser to stream the video and save it, which may violate Amazon’s terms of service if used improperly. My aim here is to inform you of the option, not to encourage any misuse. If you just want to watch offline within Amazon’s rules, the official app is the way to go. But if you have legitimate personal reasons (like you bought a show and want a personal backup for travel), these tools exist. Always ensure you respect copyright laws and Amazon’s policies.
- To be clear, downloads made via StreamFab (or similar) are for your personal use. Distributing those files or sharing them would violate copyright and Amazon’s terms. Treat it like making a DVR recording of a TV show – okay for personal time-shifting, but not okay to upload or sell. I do not endorse piracy. Use these capabilities responsibly.
1. StreamFab Amazon Downloader
One popular example (and the one I personally find quite handy) is the StreamFab Amazon Downloader for Mac. It has a wider range of compatible macOS system versions from 10.10 - 15.x than the Prime Video app. Even a second-hand MacBook can handle this downloader, so you don't have to spend more effort upgrading the system to access a better download function than the official one.
- Download Amazon Prime Video on Mac in 1080p with EAC3 5.1 audio
- Save Prime videos in MP4/MKV format to be watched also on your iPhone/iPad
- Download Prime videos offline in H.264 or H.265 codecs based on your needs
- Auto-save newly released episodes from Amazon Prime to watch offline in time
- Watch Prime videos offline along with subtitles and audio in the language you prefer
- Remove DRM & ads to download pure Amazon Prime Video files
- Charge for once and offers lifetime access to Amazon movies after downloads
Using StreamFab (or any similar tool) is usually straightforward, You can refer to this step-by-step guide to start its trial, which allows you to remove Amazon Prime Video DRM and preserve full-length Amazon movie downloads, plus no prefilling payment method or "StreamFab account" requirements.
In StreamFab’s interface, navigate to Amazon Prime Video (it might load the Prime Video website within the app). Log in with your Amazon account credentials, just as you would on a web browser. The program needs access to your account to fetch the videos (don’t worry – reputable apps won’t misuse this; StreamFab just uses it to stream the content).
Use the app’s built-in browser to search or browse for the movie or episode you want. You can play the video or click on it – StreamFab will detect the video stream URL. At this point, it might prompt you to select some options. For example, you can often choose the video quality (up to 1080p Full HD, since Amazon Prime doesn’t offer 4K downloads in these tools currently), the audio language and subtitle language, etc.
Click the Download button (in StreamFab it might be an icon next to the video, or a big “Download” option when you play the video). The software will begin downloading the video stream. Essentially, it’s like it’s streaming the video in the background and saving it to a file at the same time. You can usually queue up multiple videos; StreamFab supports batch downloads, so you could line up a few episodes or movies and let it go.
2. TuneFab VideOne Amazon Downloader
As a trending Amazon downloader, TuneFab Amazon VideOne Amazon Downloader can help you rip Amazon Prime Video to MP4, MKV, or MOV in 1080p. This one has the same bulk download and subtitles download functions as StreamFab.
One thing you may mind is that it does not support EAC3 5.1 audio sound effect download. So that your ear is probably gonna have a lame experience. Also, it lacks an auto-task function, which makes it less convenient than StreamFab. But considering it offers a cheaper 1-year plan than StreamFab, it may still be an option.
Since I've introduced the detailed downloading progress above, I made a simpler tutorial to get started with TuneFab here.
Install and launch it. You can find the Amazon service on its home page. Click on it to log in.
Search for what you want on Amazon Prime Video, then click on the download button.
Customize the video format, resolution, and subtitles as you like. Click the download button to start.
Overall Comparison Between Amazon Prime Video Download Methods for Mac
| Feature | Prime Video App | StreamFab Downloader | TuneFab Downloader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support System | macOS 11.4+ | macOS 10.10–15.x | macOS 10.11+ |
| File Formats | App Only | MP4/MKV | MP4/MKV/MOV |
| Resolution | Up to HD | 1080p, EAC3 5.1 audio | 1080p, Stereo |
| DRM & Expiry Limitations | Yes | No | No |
| Batch Download | No | Yes | Yes |
| Subtitle/Audio Track Download | Limited | Yes (Multi-track) | Yes |
| Auto Series Detection | No | Yes | No |
FAQ
No. You can't directly download Amazon movies from the browser. Neither online downloaders nor extensions. Because all of them are unavailable for DRM-protected Prime episodes.
If the downloads come from the official app, they will. But not gonna happen if the downloads finish by StreamFab Amazon Downloader.
3. Can you download rented or purchased Amazon movies?
Yes, but if you download Amazon Prime rentals with the Prime Video app, you still have to face the limitations. Instead, we recommend StreamFab Amazon Downloader, which provides you with forever access to rented Amazon movies. As for the purchased ones, you can download with the Prime Video app for ease, or with StreamFab for the video files with a better device compatibility.
Conclusion
To wrap up, you can absolutely download Amazon Prime Video on a MacBook for offline viewing – a relief for those of us who want to enjoy content on the go with our laptops.
In my experience, I use the official app for most day-to-day offline watching. It’s straightforward and within Amazon’s rules: perfect for a short trip or downloading some kids’ shows on my MacBook for when Wi-Fi is unreliable.
I save the third-party downloader for special cases: for instance, I had a documentary on Prime that was going to leave the service, so I downloaded it via StreamFab to make sure I could watch it again later. It’s like an insurance policy for content you don’t want to disappear.
