Streaming services have become a staple of modern entertainment, providing access to countless movies and TV shows. However, there are times when an internet connection isn’t available, such as during flights, travel, or in areas with limited connectivity. Thankfully, Hulu offers a download feature, allowing users to watch their favorite content offline.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the requirements for downloading on Hulu, step-by-step instructions on how to download content, limitations, managing downloads, and frequently asked questions. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a binge-watcher, this guide ensures you never miss an episode, even without the internet.
What You Need to Watch Hulu Offline?
Before you can start downloading Hulu shows and movies, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hulu Subscription Plan: Only users with a No Ads or No Ads + Live TV plan can download content. If you have the ad-supported plan, this feature is not available.
- Supported Device: Downloads are only available on iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire mobile devices. Smart TVs, computers, and gaming consoles do not support downloads.
- Hulu Mobile App: You must have the Hulu app installed on your device, which is available for free from the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.
- Internet Connection: You need an active internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data) to download the shows initially.
Once you meet these criteria, you can start downloading and watching your favorite Hulu content offline.
Step-by-Step Guide to Downloading on Hulu:
Follow these steps to download Hulu content and watch it offline:
- Open the Hulu App
- Launch the Hulu app on your supported mobile device.
- Tap “Downloads” to see a list of all available shows and movies that can be downloaded.
- Select a series or movie you want to download.
- Browse through the seasons and episodes and tap on the one you want to save offline.
- Press the download icon (a downward arrow inside a circle) next to the episode or movie.
- The download progress will be displayed. Once completed, a checkmark will replace the download icon.
- Go back to the Downloads section to see all your downloaded content.
- If a download expires, tap the exclamation mark icon and select “Renew Download” if available.
- Use Wi-Fi for Faster Downloads – To save mobile data, connect to Wi-Fi before downloading.
Things to Keep in Mind While Downloading:
- The time required for downloading depends on the content length and your internet speed.
- Downloading over cellular data may consume a significant portion of your data plan, so using Wi-Fi is recommended.
- The downloaded content is only available on the device you used to download it. It cannot be transferred to other devices.
Is There a Limit on the Number of Hulu Downloads?
Yes, Hulu has certain limitations when it comes to downloading content:
- Maximum Download Limit: You can have a maximum of 25 downloaded episodes or movies at any given time across all devices linked to your account.
- Device Limit: You can store downloads on up to five devices simultaneously.
- Storage Availability: If you reach the 25-episode limit, you need to delete old downloads before adding new ones.
If you attempt to download more than the allowed limit, Hulu will prompt you to remove existing downloads before proceeding.
How to Delete Downloaded Hulu Shows?
If you’ve reached Hulu’s download limit or need to free up storage on your device, follow these steps to delete downloaded content:
- Open the Hulu App on your mobile device.
- Go to the “Downloads” section from the bottom menu.
- Tap “Edit” in the downloads section to enter selection mode.
- Select the episodes or movies you want to delete by tapping the circle next to each title.
- Tap the trash can icon to remove the selected downloads.
- Confirm by tapping “Delete” when prompted.
- Verify deletion by checking the “Downloads” section to ensure the items are gone.
- Use “Delete All Downloads” option if you want to remove all content at once.
- Downloads are automatically removed after being watched or after the expiration period (30 days).
- Ensure enough storage space is available before downloading new content after deletion.
By managing your downloads efficiently, you can make room for more Hulu content and enjoy seamless offline viewing!
How to Adjust Video Quality for Hulu Downloads?
Hulu defaults to Standard resolution for downloads, ensuring faster downloads and reduced storage usage. You can switch to High quality for better resolution, but it will take longer to download and consume more device storage.
Follow these steps to adjust video quality settings:
- Open the Hulu App on your mobile device.
- Tap the “Downloads” option in the bottom navigation bar.
- Tap the Settings gear icon:
- Located in the upper-left corner (iOS).
- Located in the upper-right corner (Android).
- Select “Video Quality” from the settings menu.
- Choose your preferred download quality:
- Standard (Faster downloads, uses less storage).
- High (Better quality, takes longer to download, consumes more storage).
- Confirm your selection and exit the settings.
Your future downloads will now follow the selected video quality setting!
How Long Do Hulu Downloads Last?
Downloaded Hulu content comes with an expiration limit:
- Unwatched downloads stay on your device for 30 days.
- Once you start watching a download, it will expire 48 hours after you begin playback.
- If a download expires, you can attempt to renew it by going to the Downloads menu and tapping the exclamation mark icon next to the expired episode. If Hulu still offers the download, you can extend its availability for another 30 days.
If you cancel your Hulu subscription, all downloaded content will be removed from your device.
How to Renew Expired Hulu Downloads?
To renew an expired download (if available), follow these steps:
- Open the Hulu App on your mobile device.
- Tap the “Downloads” option in the bottom navigation bar.
- Locate the expired download in the list.
- Tap the Expired icon next to the expired content.
- If the content is still available, tap “Renew Download.”
- Wait for the download to complete before watching offline again.
- If the title is leaving Hulu, renewal won’t be possible.
By renewing downloads, you can extend access for another 30 days or 48 hours after playback starts!
Conclusion:
Downloading Hulu shows and movies for offline viewing is a convenient feature, especially for those who travel or have limited internet access. While it is restricted to No Ads and No Ads + Live TV subscribers, the ability to save up to 25 episodes across multiple devices makes it a valuable option.
By following the simple steps outlined in this guide, you can enjoy your favorite Hulu content anytime, anywhere, without an internet connection. Just be mindful of the download limits and expiration rules to manage your offline library efficiently.
FAQs:
Not all titles on Hulu are available for download due to licensing restrictions. Some shows may allow downloading only for newer episodes, while older episodes remain streaming-only.
Hulu allows streaming on two devices at once under standard plans. However, offline downloads do not count toward this limit. If you want unlimited simultaneous streaming, you can purchase the Unlimited Screens add-on for $9.99/month.
If your downloads aren’t playing offline, there are a few things to check. First, ensure your Hulu subscription is active. Remember, downloads expire either after 30 days or 48 hours from the time you start playback. Additionally, confirm that you are using the same device where the content was originally downloaded. By verifying these factors, you can resolve issues and continue enjoying your downloaded content without interruptions.
No. Hulu downloads are only available on iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire mobile devices. Laptops, smart TVs, and gaming consoles do not support offline downloads.
If you cancel or pause your Hulu account, you will immediately lose access to your downloads, and they will be removed from your device.