Table of contents
Introduction
My MacBook is my go-to for binge-watching Disney+ on flights and long trips. But last week, I hit a snag, I wanted to download a few episodes for offline viewing, only to realize Disney+ straight-up blocks downloads on Mac. No native app, no download button on the website... just a dead end. Kinda frustrating when even my phone lets me save shows for offline playback.
This made me search for alternative ways. I tested a few tools to find one that could truly help me download Disney Plus movies and shows on my Mac. What I discovered was that only a few options really worked the way I needed. Here’s how I solved it.
Can You Download Disney Plus on Mac?
Disney+ doesn’t currently offer a straightforward way for Mac users to download shows or movies. Even though there’s a macOS version of the app, it doesn’t include the download feature like the mobile versions do. If you’re using Safari or Chrome, there’s also no download button on the website. These limitations are part of Disney’s broader policy on offline access. You can read more about the Disney Plus download limit if you’re curious about how it all works.
Third-party tools to save videos as unrestricted MP4/MKV files, though this violates Disney+’s terms.
Mobile workaround: Download on an iPhone or iPad via the Disney+ app, then try streaming it to an AirPlay-compatible TV or Apple TV. Mac doesn’t work well as a receiver due to DRM limitations and system restrictions.
Note: Downloaded content on mobile expires after 30 days or 48 hours of playback, while third-party downloads bypass these limits.
I looked into Disney’s help section and forums, and the response was consistent. Desktop and Mac users are expected to stream online. This isn’t great if you’re preparing for a long trip or heading somewhere with weak Wi-Fi. That’s what pushed me to try other tools.
If you’re new to all of this and just want a clear overview before diving in, here’s a complete guide on how to download Disney Plus video. It covers both official methods and third-party tools like StreamFab, helping you understand your options before picking the one that suits your needs.
How to Download Movies from Disney Plus on Mac
StreamFab Disney Plus Downloader
This tool is currently my main solution. After trying a handful of apps, StreamFab Disney Plus Downloader stood out as the most complete and dependable choice
- Supports 1080p, HDR10 & Dolby Vision downloads
- Handles Dolby Atmos, EAC3 5.1, and AAC audio tracks
- Offers H.264 or H.265 encoding to balance size vs quality
- Downloads as MP4 or MKV; MKV allows multiple audio/subtitle tracks
- Includes a built-in browser with automatic playback detection
- Features like batch downloads, scheduled downloads, and intro/ad skipping
- Works across regional Disney+ services (US, EU, Hotstar, etc.)
- Offers embedded or separate .srt subtitle files, multiple languages
How to Use It
Step 1: Installation:
Ensure the latest StreamFab version is installed. Note that cracked versions may pose security risks, such as malware or data leaks
Step 2: Login via Built-in Browser
Use StreamFab’s integrated browser to log into Disney+. This avoids some conflicts that occur in external browsers like Chrome or Safari
Step 3: Playback Trigger
Start playing the target movie or episode. StreamFab automatically detects the stream and decrypts it.
Step 4: Download Options The software auto-populates formats
Video: MP4/MKV, up to 1080p HDR10+Dolby Vision.
Audio: Dolby Atmos (if available)
Subtitles: Embedded or separate SRT files (select "Burn Subtitles" for hardcoded options).
Step 5: Download & Output
Files are saved locally with metadata (title, cover art). Unlike Disney+ mobile downloads (which expire in 48 hours), StreamFab downloads are permanent. However, sharing these files violates copyright laws
Once it’s downloaded, I can play it with VLC, IINA, or QuickTime—everything works, and the subtitles and audio tracks switch smoothly.
Movpilot Disney Plus Downloader
This is another tool I tried. It’s simpler, but not as powerful.
It supports MP4 and MKV formats and allows basic downloads in up to 720p resolution. Dolby 5.1 is supported for audio. You can also keep some metadata and organize your files by episode.
However, I noticed the download speed was inconsistent, and it occasionally failed to grab subtitles properly. Batch downloads are possible, but you don’t get as much control or automation as with StreamFab.
For me, Movpilot works as a backup if I only need to grab one or two episodes and don’t care too much about resolution.
How to Use It
Step 1: Installation:
Download the Movpilot Downloader and launch the app. Use the built-in browser to log into your Disney+ account—this lets the tool access the full library
Step 2: Find the Content
In the search bar, type the title of the movie or show.
Step 3: Choose Your Settings
Select format (MP4 or MKV), resolution (up to 720p HDR), and preferred audio and subtitle language
Step 4: Download
Click the Download button next to your chosen title. For series, you can select multiple episodes at once.
Why I Don’t Use Screen Recording
Screen recording Disney+ content with tools like QuickTime or OBS seems straightforward, but practical hurdles make it inefficient. QuickTime lacks native system audio capture—requiring plugins like Soundflower—while OBS demands technical tweaks for optimal settings. For a step-by-step look at this process, see how to screen record Disney Plus.
The process is inherently slow: a 2-hour film requires 2 hours of real-time recording, often resulting in downgraded resolution (e.g., 1080p to 720p) and misaligned subtitles. Legally, Disney+ prohibits screen recording in its terms, particularly if content is redistributed, making even personal use legally ambiguous.
Alternatives like StreamFab Disney Plus Downloader bypass these issues by downloading content directly (without playback delays) in higher quality, though they also violate platform rules. For risk-free offline viewing, Disney+’s mobile downloads remain the safest option.
In essence, screen recording combines technical limitations, quality compromises, and legal risks—making it inferior to both official downloads and third-party tools despite their respective drawbacks.
Disney Plus Video Tools—Feature Comparison
|
Feature/Method
|
StreamFab Disney Plus Downloader
|
Movpilot Downloader
|
|
Works on Mac
|
✅
|
✅
|
|
Resolution（1080p）
|
✅1080p HDR10 Dolby Vision
|
❌ 720p only
|
|
Subtitle options (multi / srt / embed)
|
✅
|
❌ (limited)
|
|
Batch download support
|
✅
|
⚠️ (limited)
|
|
Output usable video files
|
✅ (MP4 / MKV)
|
✅ (MP4 / MKV)
|
|
Download speed
|
✅ (7-9 mb/s)
|
⚠️ (1-3 MB/s)
|
|
Stable & reliable
|
✅ (rarely fails)
|
⚠️ (sometimes fails)
|
FAQs
Is it legal to download Disney+ videos with third-party tools?
I strictly download content I’m already subscribed to and view it offline privately. Provided the files remain unshared and non-commercial, many view this as acceptable personal use.
Do these downloads have expiration dates?
No. Once saved locally, the videos persist indefinitely—they won’t vanish if you log out or cancel your Disney+ subscription.
Are high-spec Macs necessary?
Not in the slightest. My entry-level MacBook Air handles it effortlessly because the software processes downloads independently of playback, minimizing hardware demands.
Conclusion
There’s no official way to download Disney Plus videos on a Mac system. The option to save videos for offline viewing is limited to the mobile apps on iOS or Android. If you’re looking for help with that, here’s a quick guide to Disney Plus download offline on mobile. You can use StreamFab Disney Plus Downloader; I’ve been able to reliably save shows and movies in great quality, with subtitles and audio options included. It supports 1080p, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Audio, which is more than enough for my needs.
Movpilot can work if you’re just grabbing a few episodes here and there. As for screen recording, I found it too slow and unreliable.
I now download shows ahead of travel, store them locally, and watch them offline without any hassle. If you’re in the same situation, StreamFab Disney Plus Downloader is definitely worth trying.
