Downloading movies onto your Amazon Fire tablet or Fire TV device allows for offline viewing, perfect for travel or when you have limited internet access. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite films anytime, anywhere.
Understanding the Basics of Downloading Movies on Amazon Fire
The primary way to download movies onto an Amazon Fire device involves using the Amazon Prime Video app. Not all movies are available for download. Only titles designated with a download icon within the Prime Video app can be downloaded. Factors like licensing agreements and specific title restrictions influence availability. Furthermore, the storage capacity of your Fire device will limit the number of movies you can download.
Downloading Movies from Amazon Prime Video
Step-by-Step Guide for Fire Tablets
- Open the Amazon Prime Video app on your Fire tablet. Ensure you are logged in with your Amazon account.
- Browse or search for the movie you want to download.
- Look for the download icon. This is typically a downward-pointing arrow with a line underneath it. If you see this icon on the movie’s details page, it means the movie is available for download.
- Tap the download icon.
- Choose your download quality. You will usually have options for Standard, Better, or Best quality. Higher quality downloads consume more storage space.
- Wait for the download to complete. The progress will be displayed on the screen.
- Find your downloaded movies. Go to the “Downloads” section within the Amazon Prime Video app to access your downloaded content.
Step-by-Step Guide for Fire TV Devices
While directly downloading movies onto a Fire TV device isn’t the same as on a Fire tablet, you can stream pre-downloaded content from a paired Fire tablet or other compatible device through screen mirroring. Unfortunately, direct downloads to a Fire TV Stick or Cube are not supported. You need to download the content on a device with local storage and then mirror it to your TV. Here’s how you’d mirror:
- Enable screen mirroring on your Fire TV device. This is typically found in the “Display & Sounds” settings under “Display Mirroring”.
- On your Fire Tablet (or other compatible device), access the settings and look for “Display” or “Screen Mirroring/Casting” options.
- Select your Fire TV device from the list of available devices.
- Start playing the downloaded movie on your Fire Tablet. It should now be mirrored on your TV screen via your Fire TV device.
Managing Your Downloaded Movies
Checking Storage Space
Regularly check your Fire device’s storage space to avoid running out of room. Go to Settings > Storage to see how much space you have available and what’s consuming the most storage. Delete unnecessary apps, photos, and videos to free up space for more movie downloads.
Deleting Downloaded Movies
To delete a downloaded movie, go to the “Downloads” section in the Amazon Prime Video app. Tap the three dots (menu) next to the movie you want to remove and select “Delete Download.” This will free up storage space on your device.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Download Not Starting
If your download isn’t starting, check your internet connection. A stable Wi-Fi connection is crucial for downloading movies. Also, ensure you have enough storage space on your device. Restarting your Fire device can also resolve minor glitches.
Download Stuck
If a download gets stuck, pause it and then resume it. If that doesn’t work, cancel the download and try downloading the movie again. A corrupted download can sometimes cause issues.
Movie Not Playing Offline
Ensure you have actually downloaded the movie by checking the “Downloads” section. Also, confirm that your Prime Video subscription is active. If your subscription has expired, you will not be able to play downloaded content.
FAQs: Downloading Movies on Amazon Fire
Q1: Can I download movies from Netflix onto my Amazon Fire tablet?
No, the process described above pertains exclusively to Amazon Prime Video. To download movies from Netflix, you need to use the Netflix app and follow its specific download instructions. Similar to Amazon Prime Video, only selected content is available for download.
Q2: How many devices can I download movies onto using my Amazon Prime Video account?
You can download Prime Video titles on a limited number of devices at the same time. The exact number varies depending on your location and subscription type, but it’s generally limited to two or three devices.
Q3: How long do downloaded movies stay available on my Amazon Fire tablet?
Downloaded movies have an expiration date, which varies depending on the title and the licensing agreement. The Prime Video app will display the expiration date for each downloaded movie. You usually have a limited time to start watching a downloaded title (e.g., 30 days) and a limited time to finish watching it once you’ve started (e.g., 48 hours).
Q4: Can I transfer downloaded movies from my Amazon Fire tablet to another device?
No, you cannot directly transfer downloaded movies from your Amazon Fire tablet to another device. The downloaded content is encrypted and tied to your Amazon account and the specific device it was downloaded onto.
Q5: What happens to my downloaded movies if I cancel my Amazon Prime subscription?
If you cancel your Amazon Prime subscription, you will lose access to all downloaded movies from Amazon Prime Video. You will need an active subscription to view downloaded content.
Q6: What is the difference between “renting” and “purchasing” a movie on Amazon Prime Video?
When you rent a movie, you have a limited time to watch it after you start playing it (usually 48 hours). The movie disappears from your library after the rental period expires. When you purchase a movie, it remains in your Amazon library indefinitely, as long as you maintain your Amazon account. Both rented and purchased movies can often be downloaded, but rented movies will expire as described.
Q7: How do I download movies in 4K resolution on my Amazon Fire device?
Downloading in 4K resolution depends on the specific movie, your Amazon Prime Video subscription, and the capabilities of your Fire tablet. First, ensure you have a Prime Video subscription that includes 4K content. Then, check if the movie is available in 4K. When downloading, select the “Best” quality option, which should download the highest available resolution, if supported. Note that older Fire tablets may not support 4K playback.
Q8: Can I use an SD card to store downloaded movies on my Amazon Fire tablet?
Yes, many Amazon Fire tablets have an SD card slot that can be used to expand storage. You can configure your Fire tablet to save downloaded movies to the SD card by going to Settings > Storage > SD Card and selecting it as the default storage location for downloads.
Q9: Why is the download option not available for some movies on Amazon Prime Video?
The availability of the download option depends on the licensing agreements between Amazon and the content providers. Some movies may not be available for download due to these agreements.
Q10: How do I update the Amazon Prime Video app on my Fire tablet?
Amazon Fire tablets typically update apps automatically. However, you can manually check for updates by going to the Amazon Appstore > Menu > App Updates.
Q11: Can I download movies while my Fire tablet is locked?
Yes, you can download movies while your Fire tablet is locked, as long as the Wi-Fi connection remains stable and the device has sufficient battery power. It is best to keep the screen active (but dimmed) to prevent interruptions during the download process.
Q12: Are there any third-party apps I can use to download movies onto my Amazon Fire tablet?
While there are third-party apps that claim to download movies from various sources, using them may violate copyright laws and could potentially expose your device to malware. It is strongly recommended to stick to official channels like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and other legitimate streaming services with download functionality.