How To Stream Video Without an Internet Connection

Streaming video is one of the great entertainment inventions of our time. Before streaming video, you needed a TV with an antenna/cable box/satellite attached or a portable DVD player with physical DVDs to see your favorite shows. Now, you can take them with you on small, convenient devices. This is perfect for those who do a lot of traveling. But what if you are on an airplane or traveling so remotely that there is no internet service? Or what if you are on a limited data plan and want to make sure you don’t get overage charges? Thankfully, most streaming services offer an offline viewing option for just these sorts of situations.

YouTube

Let’s start with YouTube, since it’s probably the most popular video service. In order to make content available for offline viewing, you must have a YouTube Premium subscription.

Downloading

  • Login to youtube.com or the YouTube app using your YouTube Premium account.
  • Go to the video and click “Download” below the video.
  • When the download is complete, the download icon under the video will turn black.

Viewing

  • Visit youtube.com or open the app while logged in with your Premium account.
  • Click/tap on Downloads in the menu to access the list. App users will need to click on Library to see the Downloads menu option.
  • To remove the video from Downloads screen, click/tap “More” next to the video and select Remove from Downloads.
  • Confirm by clicking/tapping delete.

After downloading a video, you can play it offline for up to 29 days. After that, you must reconnect to the internet so the app can confirm the video is still available for offline viewing. If it’s not, the video will disappear.

Netflix

It is important to note that ad-supported Netflix plans do not include downloads. You must change to an ad-free plan before taking these steps.

Supported devices are:

  • iOS devices running version 9.0 or later
  • Android devices running 4.4.2 or later
  • Amazon Fire tablet running 4.0 or later
  • Windows 10 (1709 or later), Windows 11
  • Chromebook and Chromeboxes using the Netflix app from the Google Play store.

The Netflix app has a dedicated tab for “Available to download” in the “Categories” section if you wish to browse. On a Windows device, open the app and select the menu to see the download option. If you know the TV show or movie you want to download, search for it and look for the download icon:

Icon with downward facing arrow pointing to horizontal line

The Fine Print

  • You can have 100 items downloaded across devices.
  • You can save the download to an SD card.
  • Some videos expire 48 hours after you start them, while others don’t.
  • Some titles limit the number of times you can download them, while others don’t.
  • If a title leaves Netflix, your download disappears.

Hulu

In order to download, you need to be a subscriber on the ad-free level using the mobile app. If you have add-on subscriptions (like Showtime), you won’t be able to download add-on content. Likewise, content available on demand through the live TV tier is not available for download. If you are logged in with an ad-free account, you will see a download symbol on any eligible title you search for. Tap the symbol to download.

Supported Devices

Hulu supports pretty much every type of device, unless it isn’t updated: https://help.hulu.com/s/article/supported-devices.

The Fine Print

  • You can only download a total of 25 titles at a time across 5 devices.
  • Unwatched downloaded videos stay on the device for 30 days.
  • After you start watching, you have 48 hours to finish before it is no longer downloaded.

HBOMax

Most of the HBOMax streaming catalog is available for download. Like other services, you need to be signed in with an ad-free level plan to download content. Downloading is only available in the app (phone or tablet), and is done by tapping the download arrow icon on the item. To view your downloads in a list, tap the download icon on the bottom edge of the screen.

The Fine Print

  • Be sure to confirm your preferred language before downloading. You can’t change your audio track once you download.
  • You can only have 5 copies of the same show downloaded across your devices.
  • You can have up to 30 downloads at a time across devices (does not include expired)
  • After you start watching, the download expires in 48 hours.
  • You can renew an expired download from the download list by tapping the ! icon, and then renew.

Disney+

Like other services, downloading is only available on phones and tablets. There are also very few restrictions, except only being able to download the same title on 10 devices. Once you download a title, you can play it over and over and it never expires. Every 30 days you need to connect one of your Disney+ devices and tap the arrow to download the item. You don’t actually need to wait for it to download again, it just refreshes the download that is already on your device. Just be careful not to logout, or you will need to download all of your titles again. If your subscription expires, you lose access to your downloads.

Download Settings

One thing that is different about Disney+ is that you’ll want to configure your download settings before you download anything. Tap your profile picture, then app settings to enter the settings menu. Scroll to the downloads section.

Select options for video quality, which networks can download content, and where to save the downloads.

Downloading

  • To download a movie, click on the download arrow icon.
  • For a TV series, scroll down to Episodes.
    • To download the entire season, tap the download arrow icon next to Season, then tap the confirmation prompt.
    • Or, tap the download icon next to an individual episode.
    • To view your list of downloads, tap the download arrow icon at the bottom edge of the screen.

Amazon Prime

You can download video using a Fire tablet or through the Prime Video app on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows 10. On Android and Windows, you can choose where to save downloaded content. Due to varying licensing agreements, which titles can be downloaded seems hit or miss.

Downloading

  • For movies, go to the detail page and click the “Download” button.
  • To download an entire season of TV show episodes, select “Download Season” from the season’s detail page.
  • To download a single episode of a TV show, Scroll down to the episode list and click the download arrow icon next to the episode you want.

The Fine Print

  • You can only download an item on up to three devices at a time.
  • There is no concrete answer to how many titles you can download at a time. Several factors come into play, including your location.
  • Once a title is downloaded, you have 30 days to watch it. After starting it, you have 48 hours to finish watching.

Apple TV+

Apple TV+ has a smaller streaming library than some of the other services, but the good news is that most titles are available for download. You aren’t limited to the number of Apple Originals you can download, but they do state some of the partner services (like Starz) may have limits on the number of titles you can download on how many devices. If you reach a limit, you will get a notification.

Supported Devices

It probably won’t be a shock to learn that only Apple devices are supported for downloading. You can do so using the Apple TV app on a Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.

Downloading

  • Open the movie or show in the app on your device.
  • Tap the download button, which is next to the episode title for a TV show or on the cover art for a movie.
  • There is no option to download an entire TV season at once.
  • To watch downloaded content, open the app and select Library (icon on the bottom edge), then Downloaded. Open a show to see downloaded episodes.

Deleting

  • To delete in the app, return to the Downloaded list and tap the edit button on the upper-right. Select the items and tap delete. Confirm.
  • To delete on a Mac, hover over the title card or episode title and select the three-dot icon. Choose “delete from library”, then confirm.

Paramount+

Once again, an ad-free plan is needed for the ability to download. Downloads can be done on iOS and Android phones/tablets, unavailable on iOS 12 and Android 4.4 and below. Use the download icon next to a movie to TV show episode title to download. To watch them, tap Menu, then more, then Downloads, and then tap on the title you want to watch.

To delete from the list, swipe left on the title and select Delete. You may want to select the option to auto-delete after you finish watching to save space on your device. This option is in Menu, then More, then Settings. Toggle the option on.

The Fine Print

  • Unwatched videos will remain in your download library for 30 days.
  • One a video is started, you have 48 hours to finish it.
  • Limited to 25 downloaded videos at a time.
  • Limited to 5 copies of the same video across devices.

Peacock

You must be logged in on the app with the Premium Plus plan to download on Peacock. To download, tap the download icon in the bottom-right corner. To watch downloaded content, you must be offline. When you open the app offline, you are directed to your downloaded content. To delete, open the app and select the download icon in the bottom-left corner. On the content to delete, tap the icon that says, “Downloaded” and delete.

The Fine Print

  • Unwatched videos will remain in your download library for 30 days.
  • One a video is started, you have 48 hours to finish it.
  • Limited to 25 downloaded videos at a time.
  • Some pieces of content can only be downloaded twice. Per account. Ever.
  • Logging out or uninstalling Peacock removes downloaded items from the device.
  • Peacock is not clear about which types of devices support downloading.

Other Popular Services

Acorn

This service is pretty vague about limits, stating that there may be some limits to the number of times a title can be downloaded a year, and that titles may expire after some time. Like most services, not all of their content is available for download. To download, tap the down arrow icon next to a movie or TV show episode. To watch a download, open the app while you are offline and tap “view my downloads.”

Britbox

Interestingly, Britbox only allows downloading if you subscribed through Apple TV. They do not allow it on their own app, though they say they are exploring more download options for the future.

Summary

Downloading streaming content can be a great way to save data or enjoy content without an internet connection. Do you ever download streaming content to watch offline? Did you even know you could? Let us know in the comments.

Be a Netflix Insider: Find Hidden Netflix Categories

Have you ever been watching Netflix and wanted to find a specific category within a genre? Now there’s a solution.

Frequent users of Netflix may have noticed that Netflix sometimes has some very specific categories on their home page. For example, you may have seen something like, “Futuristic Sci-Fi Movies with a Strong Female Lead.” If you’d like something else, or something not so specific, there is a better way.

Get the Hidden Netflix Codes

Dating back to its DVD-only days, Netflix uses codes to classify each of its categories, ranging from broad (Drama), to more specific (Imaginative Action Sci-Fi and Fantasy). These codes stuck around, with more being added through the years. But the question is, how do find the codes and access the content?

Luckily, the website Netflix-codes.com has written a how-to guide and included a sample of common codes within each genre.

Screenshot of the Netflix-codes website, showing main categories and subcategories with codes that are hyperlinked.

Using the Codes

There are a few ways you can access the content on Netflix.

Using a Laptop or Desktop

You can use a laptop or desktop and open up the website in a browser such as Firefox or Chrome. Once you have the category code, you can enter it in your address bar:

https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/INSERTNUMBER

The “What’s on Netflix” site has a searchable list of all 4,000+ codes. If you are accessing the codes from a link on Netflix-Codes.com or the What’s on Netflix site, you can click or tap on the category name and it’ll open that way.

Using a Mobile Device

If you are using a browser on a device (such as an iPad) that has the Netflix app installed, clicking or tapping on the category name will open the Netflix app to that specific category. Keep in mind that the searchable list of codes may have category codes that don’t currently have any titles in your specific region.

Using a Smart TV or Roku

If you access Netflix on a smart TV or a device such as a Roku, the best way that I’ve found is to find the specific titles you’d like to watch on a web browser, and then add titles to Netflix’s Your List queue by clicking or tapping the plus button on your selection.

Screenshot showing a movie selected with the "add to my list" icon highlighted.

Then, when you open up Netflix on your Roku or another device, you can start playing the title from the My List row, which usually appears at or near the top of the Netflix home screen. Depending on the version of Netflix you use, there may also be a shortcut to My List at the top of the screen or by accessing a menu by moving the selector all the way to the left side of the screen.

Screenshot showing selected titles in the My List category in Netflix.

Have you tried searching for a particular Netflix code? Let us know in the comments.

Cord-Cutting 101: Virtual Edition

Cord-Cutting 101 has been a very popular class with our users, whether presented in-person or online. If you would like to learn more, you can find all of the resources cited during the class on our website, including the slideshow.

If you would rather watch the class, visit this playlist on our YouTube channel. It includes the entire class, broken down by subject.

You can also check our event calendar to see when we are offering the live class again. If no class is shown, we haven’t scheduled one yet.

Got questions? Let us know in the comments!

Free Digital Content, For Everyone

With many people throughout the world being asked to stay home, many streaming providers have been offering free content. We’ll go over some of the places where you can watch things for free while social distancing and how they can be accessed.

Apple TV+ is offering a decent amount of their original series for non-subscribers. You will need an Apple ID to sign in (you can get an Apple ID for free if you don’t already have one). These shows include:

  • Servant
  • Little America
  • Helpsters
  • For All Mankind
  • Dickinson
  • Snoopy in Space
  • The Elephant Queen
  • Ghostwriter

Apple TV+ can be accessed through an app on streaming devices such as Roku, Amazon Firestick/Amazon Firecube and also on smartphones, tablets and laptops. When navigating the Apple TV app, you will see a large “Free for Everyone” tab that you can tap or click to access the content.

Also accessible through Apple TV+ channels app is Epix. They feature a large offering of movies and TV programming. Their selection is free when accessed through the Apple TV app.

HBO is offering a selection of movies, documentaries and its original series to non-subscribers through the HBO Go and HBO Now app. For information on what programming is available, check out their website. Some selections include: series like The Wire, Big Little Lies, The Sopranos; movies like Pokemon Detective Pikachu, Isn’t it Romantic, and Blinded by the Light; and documentaries like The Apollo, McMillion$, and United Skates.

AMC Networks is running a “We’re With You” campaign that includes the first half of Season 10 of The Walking Dead.

Other networks that fall under AMC Networks include BBC America, which offering a collection of nature documentaries, the entire new season of Dr. Who, the entire series of Orphan Black, and many other neat programs. Additionally, the season three premiere of Killing Eve is available. To watch, go to their website.

IFC (the Independent Film Channel) is offering a comedy lineup for those of us that could use some laughs. They are offering free full seasons for the month of April of shows like Birthday Boys, Baroness von Sketch Show, Spoils of Babylon, Spoils Before Dying, Bunk and Mystery Science Theatre 3000. The programming can be accessed on IFC.com and on their IFC TV app.

Sling TV is offering free TV from 5pm through midnight every evening. There is also a selection of free TV shows and movies available anytime for non-subscribers. The content can be accessed through their website or through the Sling TV app on Roku, Amazon Fire, and many other devices. To get started, select the free option on the app or browse available content on their website.

YouTube is offering a decent amount of their original series for free for a limited time. You can check this list for the complete offering. The list has links to watch the programs.

Last but not least, Hoopla Digital and Overdrive both offer a large collection of streaming videos. Both are services offered from the Upper Hudson Library System and are free for residents of Albany or Rensselaer County. If you belong to a different library system, check out their digital collections, as there is a good chance they also offer one or both of these great services. Both can be accessed on their websites or through their apps, which are available on smartphones, tablets and other devices. The Hoopla app is available on devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire devices, Apple TV, Chromecast, and more. A full listed of supported Hoopla devices can be found here. The Overdrive app is available on iOS, Android devices, Kindle Fire, and more. A full list of devices that can access the Overdrive can be found here.

Other offerings

There are also a handful of original episodes of Showtime original programing that can be watched on their website.

Focus Features will be streaming a free movie every Monday in April for free on their Facebook page. The movies begin at 8pm, EST. The schedule for the rest of April:
-April 20, Mallrats (featuring a Q & A with director Kevin Smith after the movie)
-April 27, My Summer of Love

SiriusXM is offering free streaming of their satellite radio service for all North American residents. To get started, head over to their website.

Streaming Services With Extended Trial Periods

Many streaming services offer a free seven day trial period. During social distancing, many services are offering a 30 day (or longer) trial period, during which the trial can be canceled at anytime. As a heads up, you will probably need to enter your credit card information to begin any of these trials. These are just trials and if you don’t cancel before the end of the trial period, you will be charged the regular monthly rate.

  • CBS All Access For the CBS All Access extended trial, use the code ALL
  • Acorn TV, a large selection of British TV and movies. Use code FREE30 when signing up on their website.
  • History Vault, a collection of documentaries from the History Channel.
  • The Lifetime Movie Club, a collection of new and classic Lifetime movies.
  • Noggin, featuring many children’s programs such as Peppa Pig, Dora the Explorer and more. (60 day trial)
  • Shudder, featuring horror, thriller, and suspense movies and programming. Use code SHUTIN on their website.
  • Smithsonian Channel, a large collection of documentaries on a variety of different subjects. Use the code ALONETOGETHER on their website when signing up.
  • Netflix, movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original programming.
  • Hulu, movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original programming.

Do you know of any other services offering free programming while we’re all at home? Let us know in the comments.