How much space do you need to watch Netflix offline when there is no internet connectivity
One of the most anticipated features has finally arrived and Netflix users are overjoyed. You can now download your favorite Netflix shows to your smartphone or tablet and continue to watch even when there is no internet connectivity!
Netflix has stated that “While many members enjoy watching Netflix at home, we’ve often heard they also want to continue their Stranger Things binge while on airplanes and other places where Internet is expensive or limited. Just click the download button on the details page for a film or TV series and you can watch it later without an internet connection.”
While offline viewing is welcomed in the USA it will be especially welcomed in countries where mobile Internet access is expensive.
Earlier today, Netflix Tweeted :
Airplane mode. Road trip mode. Stuck-in-the-subway-for-20-minutes mode. Your favorite stories are now available for download any time. pic.twitter.com/g7QZA3TyE8
— Netflix (@netflix) November 30, 2016
Having jus come back from a 1- hour road trip with the kids from Dallas to New Orleans, I can vouch that this would have been an amazing service to have. While Netflix streaming is free on my mobile plan, the coverage during the road trip was spotty outside of major cities and therefore streaming was not an option. All this will change now with this feature.
So before you head out on your next family road trip where the internet connectivity is sketchy, or on a flight where you can not stream, follow these steps to before you head out:
How to download Netflix for offline viewing:
Step 1 – update your Netflix to the latest version. Go into your Google Play Store or Apple Store and search for an updated version of the Netflix app. You need to be running at least Android 4.4.2 or iOS 8.0.
Step 2 – Before you leave your WIFI, find the shows you want to watch later when you will not have any connectivity.
Step 3 – Look for the DOWNLOAD icon. Note: Not all the shows will have this but Netflix is said to be adding more titles in the future which will be available for download offline.
Step 4 – Click on the Download icon
As the Streaming Wars are heating up between the various providers, having offline capability is seen as a big value-add and could persuade people to sign up with Netflix over another service which does not yet offer this.
How much space is required to store Netflix movies offline ?
While the file size may vary betweens shows, I downloaded 1 episode of The Flash which is around 44 minutes and the total size was 211 MB. Downloading an entire movie of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo drift, was 497 Mb.
The time it takes to download these will obviously depend on your internet speed at the time of downloading.
