How to download TV shows and movies on Hulu 2025

What is offline viewing?

Streaming content is viewed by connecting your device to Hulu via the internet. When you download a title, it exists on the hard drive of your device and you no longer need an internet connection to access it. Many streamers have limits to offline viewing, and Hulu is no different. You are allowed to have up to 25 downloaded titles on your account across no more than five compatible devices at one time. 

How to download content on Hulu

Can you download shows on Hulu? That depends. Every movie or show is not available for download, but you’ll still have a lot of titles to choose from. To download content on Hulu:

1. Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network. Devices compatible with Hulu include Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Apple TV, Android phones and tablets, iPhone, Chromecast, Roku and Xbox. 
2. Go to the global navigation bar and choose “Downloads,” then go to “See What’s Downloadable.”
3. Browse the collections to look for a title you’re interested in. You can also search for a specific title using the search bar without going to the download tab. 
4. Once you’re on the details page of a title you want to download, you will see a downward arrow button. For movies, this is on the main details page. For shows, you will need to select the “Episodes” tab and download each episode separately. All titles on the “See What’s Downloadable” page are eligible for offline viewing. If you go directly to a title’s details page and don’t see the arrow, that show or movie can’t be downloaded.

If you are using cellular data to download a show or TV episode, learning how to download on Hulu requires an additional step. For Apple iPhone users, go to the “Downloads” tab in Hulu and then the “Settings” icon (a wheel). Toggle “Cellular Downloading” to the On position. For Android users, go to your Hulu Account page and choose “Settings.” Then select “Downloads” and toggle the “Cellular Downloading” setting to the On position. 

How to watch your content

You can only watch offline content on the device you used to download it. For instance, if you download episodes of “The Bear” on your iPhone and the movie “Step Brothers” on your laptop and then go offline, you will only have access to “The Bear” on your iPhone. This is true even if you downloaded both titles using the same account and the same profile. 

To watch your offline content, open the Hulu app on your device. Tap the “Downloads” tab to see a list of the offline content available on that particular device. Once you download something, you have 30 days to begin watching it and 48 hours to finish it. If you exceed these time limits, the title will no longer be on your Downloads list. 

Streaming content downloading compared 

The major difference between Hulu and its competitors is that it has a live TV option. Hulu, Max, Paramount Plus and Peacock all offer offline viewing and many other similar features. For instance, you can watch from multiple devices simultaneously across all platforms. 

The right platform for you will depend on the content you prefer. Paramount Plus features CBS content, Peacock has NBCUniversal content, Max has Warner Brothers Discovery content, and Hulu has original programming plus recent episodes from other networks. 

FAQ

Can all content on Hulu be downloaded?

No. Every title on Hulu is not available for download. Downloadable content will have a downward arrow next to the title. Users with an ad-supported plan can’t download content to be viewed offline. 

Can I watch live content on Hulu without an internet connection?

If you download a TV show episode or movie from Hulu, you can watch it offline without an internet connection. You must start watching the show within 30 days, or it will be deleted from your device. 

Can I watch Hulu on an iPhone?

Yes. iPhones are compatible with Hulu. The Hulu app is free to download to your device. You can stream content and download available shows and movies to watch offline.