When and Why Do Netflix Downloads Expire?

Netflix's extensive catalog contains thousands of items, including some of the most popular films, television programs, documentaries, and more.

Netflix lets users download certain videos on their mobile and PC, allowing viewers to watch them anytime. This is helpful, especially if you need to watch something offline while traveling. It is also ideal for reducing how much mobile data you use each month.

However, will these Netflix downloads expire? Or can you keep them forever? This article will let you know why and when do Netflix downloads expire.

Section 1: How to Use Netflix Download Feature

As we mentioned, Netflix does provide a download feature. To use the download feature, you must have the most recent version of the Netflix app on one of the following devices:

• Apple device running iOS 9.0 or later
• Android device running Android 4.4.2 or later
• Amazon Fire tablet with Fire OS 4.0 or higher
• Tablet or computer running Windows 11 or Windows 10 (version 1709 or later).

1.1 How to Download Netflix Content on Mobile

To download Netflix content, you must install the latest version of the Netflix mobile application.

• Firstly, open the Netflix app from your mobile.
• Navigate to the search bar and type in the title you want to download.
• Afterward, tap the "Download" button to start downloading that particular content.

• After the download is finished, you can check it by tapping "Downloads" at the bottom of the app, or you can just find the download content and touch "Play" to begin playing.

1.2 How to Download Netflix Content on Windows

For Windows laptops and desktops, instead of using browsers like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to view Netflix, we have to use the Netflix app to access the download feature. From the Microsoft Store, you can get the official Netflix app.

• Firstly, open the Netflix for Windows app.
• Click on the "Menu" button, then choose the "Available for Download" button to view all the available videos for download.
• Click on one of the videos or search for a title you want to download. Then, click "Download" to immediately start the downloading process.
• Once the downloading process is done, navigate to the "My Downloads" menu to binge-watch your favorite show or movie.

If you can't download something that you should be able to, make sure you aren't trying to download a video that someone else on your plan has already downloaded to watch offline on a single account. TV shows and movies that you download stay on the device where they were downloaded and can be watched from any profile in your account.

Netflix downloads are often stored in the download section of your mobile device, tablet, or computer. However, you can change and store the downloaded files in a different folder by selecting the desired destination during download. For Android, you can also store those files on the SD card. To set the storage location, navigate to the app's settings, click Downloads, and select the desired file destination.

1.3 How to Download Netflix Content on Amazon Fire Tablet

Amazon Fire tablets also support saving content for offline uses. Below are the steps to download Netflix content directly to your Amazon Fire Tablet.

• Go to the home screen and open your Netflix app.
• In your Netflix app, tap the search icon to search for a specific title that you like to download. You can also tap the menu button and click on the "Available for Download" menu to list the videos that are available for download. If you see a "Download" button, that means you can save the title offline.
• Once you have already found the title you like to use for offline needs, tap the download icon to start downloading.

Section 2: When Do Netflix Downloads Expire?

Netflix downloads are only valid for a certain amount of time since otherwise, you would be considered to own the content, which is not how streaming services operate. Some titles don't allow downloading at all, and the length of time that downloads can stay on your device can vary by licensing or even by title.

The majority of downloads are valid for seven days; if a download expires earlier, Netflix displays how long it will be valid next to the title on the Downloads screen. Another common time limitation is that many downloads expire 48 hours after you press the play button on the title. You can re-download the title if the option is available.

You will notice an orange exclamation point and the word "expired" next to a download when it has expired. You can re-download when Netflix downloads expire by clicking on the title and then selecting the "Renew" button.

If you receive a pop-up message when re-downloading that says, "You can download this title only one time", it indicates that you cannot use its offline mode again. Some Netflix content can only be downloaded once per year, and once that restriction is exceeded, you will no longer have access to the downloaded version.

This restriction is the result of a negotiation made with the title's owner throughout the agreement and when the content was being uploaded to the Netflix platform.

Some users claim that their downloaded content is gone before they can watch them (in less than seven days). If that happens, then it may be because the show is no longer in Netflix's database. When content is removed from Netflix, it is also removed from your download list.

Section 3: Why Do Netflix Downloads Expire?

Netflix content cannot be permanently downloaded and kept. You have access to the offline mode for a limited period. The limit is determined by the content creators, not Netflix. There are two factors why a Netflix download will expire:

• Expiry Date

If the downloaded series or content is removed from Netflix, your download is also removed, regardless of where it was stored. Stay updated on when your downloaded movie or TV show will be removed from Netflix.

• Title Availability

Original and licensed films are both accessible on Netflix. However, not all titles are available for download. Only those that creators permit to be downloaded can be downloaded for seven days. When the rights to the content of that title have been sold or given to another company, it will also expire or be unavailable on Netflix.

Section 4: How to Download Netflix Content Without Expiration Date

If you want to download without worrying that Netflix downloads expire, you will have to use a third-party Netflix video downloader like StreamFab. StreamFab is an all-in-one software that helps you to download videos from various online platforms and streaming services.

One of the StreamFab subproducts that allow you to download Netflix videos without an expiration date is StreamFab Netflix Downloader. StreamFab Netflix Downloader is available for Windows and Mac. Follow these easy steps to use Streamfab Netflix Downloader.

• Download this Netflix downloader. Make sure to choose the correct version.

• After that, open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instruction until the installation is completed.
• Next, click the "VIP Services" tab on the left and choose the Netflix card.

• Log in with your Netflix credentials and then search for the title that you want to download. After that, let the video play until you see a pop-up message saying, "Analyzing Video URL…"
• You should now see the "Add to Queue" and "Download Now" buttons. You can start the download process by clicking the "Download Now" button or you can click the "Add to Queue" button to download it later.

• You can also view the progress of your download by selecting the "Downloading" tab on the left. When the download finishes, you can see them in the "Downloaded" tab. You can click the play icon to start the video or the folder icon to access the downloaded videos. Those downloaded videos will be saved in MP4 format that is compatible with many devices.

Conclusion

Netflix contains thousands of shows and movies that can be streamed from your PC or mobile. Netflix also allows its users to download certain titles via the application or, allowing us to watch the downloaded content at any time.

This is a helpful feature, especially if we need to watch it offline while traveling. However, Netflix downloads can expire, and the expiration date varies depending on the title.

The majority of downloads are valid for seven days, and Netflix will display how long it will be valid next to the title. If you want to avoid Netflix downloads expiring, you can use a third-party downloader like StreamFab Netflix Downloader.