You can save Amazon Prime movies and TV shows for offline viewing on compatible devices, primarily through the Amazon Prime Video app. However, the process is tied to your Amazon Prime membership or video purchase/rental, and downloaded content has expiration dates, making permanent saving a challenge. This article provides a comprehensive guide on navigating these limitations and maximizing your access to your favorite Amazon Prime Video content, even when offline.
Understanding Amazon Prime Video Downloads
The Prime Video Download Ecosystem
Amazon Prime Video offers a fantastic library of movies and TV shows. But accessing them consistently, especially when you’re on the go or have unreliable internet, can be tricky. The platform allows downloads, but with crucial caveats. These downloads are encrypted and tied to your Amazon account, meaning they can only be accessed through the Prime Video app on authorized devices. Furthermore, they’re subject to expiration dates, often triggered by the viewing window of rentals or the rights agreements for content included with your Prime membership.
How to Download Amazon Prime Movies and TV Shows
Step-by-Step Guide
Downloading content is generally straightforward. Here’s the breakdown:
- Open the Amazon Prime Video app on your compatible device (iOS, Android, Fire tablet).
- Find the movie or TV show you want to download.
- Look for the download icon. This usually appears as a downward-pointing arrow within a circle or next to the episode or movie title.
- Select your download quality. Choose between “Standard,” “Good,” or “Best” to balance file size and video quality. Higher quality downloads require more storage space.
- Start the download. The app will display a progress indicator as the content downloads.
For TV shows, you can usually download individual episodes or entire seasons. After downloading, you can find the content under the “Downloads” tab within the Prime Video app.
Compatible Devices
- iOS (iPhone, iPad): Downloading is fully supported.
- Android Phones and Tablets: Downloading is fully supported.
- Fire Tablets: Downloading is fully supported.
- Windows (via the Amazon Prime Video App): Downloading is supported.
- macOS (via the Amazon Prime Video App): Downloading is supported.
Unfortunately, you cannot download content to computers via a web browser. You must use the Amazon Prime Video application on Windows and macOS.
Limitations and Considerations
Download Limits and Device Authorization
Amazon imposes limits on the number of devices you can download content to and the total number of titles you can have downloaded at any given time. You can have a maximum of three titles downloaded to any given account. Be sure to manage your downloaded content to avoid exceeding these limits.
Expiration Dates
This is perhaps the most crucial aspect to understand. Downloaded Prime Video content has an expiration date. This expiration is often triggered by:
- Rentals: Rentals typically expire 48 hours after you start watching. You often have a 30-day window to begin watching after renting.
- Prime Membership Content: Titles included with your Prime membership are subject to changing rights agreements. Amazon can remove titles from the Prime Video library, rendering your downloads invalid. Even if a title remains available on Prime, the download itself might expire after a set period (e.g., 30 days after download), requiring you to re-download it.
Region Locking
Downloaded content is often region-locked. If you travel to a different country, the downloaded titles might become unavailable due to licensing restrictions.
Beyond Downloads: Exploring Alternative Strategies
Screen Recording: A Risky Proposition
While tempting, using screen recording software to “save” content is generally not recommended. Firstly, it likely violates Amazon’s terms of service and copyright law. Secondly, the quality of the recorded video is often significantly lower than the original. Finally, it’s a time-consuming and potentially legally problematic method.
Purchase Options: Owning vs. Renting
If you want more permanent access, consider purchasing movies and TV shows through Amazon Prime Video. Purchased content is generally available for as long as Amazon retains the rights and you maintain your Amazon account. However, even purchased content is subject to potential removal from the platform in rare circumstances. Look at the terms of service for purchased content for specifics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are twelve FAQs to address common questions about saving Amazon Prime movies and TV shows:
FAQ 1: How do I find my downloaded Amazon Prime Video content?
Open the Amazon Prime Video app and navigate to the “Downloads” section. This is usually located in the app’s main menu or navigation bar.
FAQ 2: Why can’t I download some movies on Amazon Prime Video?
Several reasons could explain this:
- The title is not available for download. Some titles are streaming-only due to licensing agreements.
- You’ve reached your download limit. Amazon restricts the number of devices and titles you can download.
- The title is not available in your region.
- There are software glitches or errors with your device.
FAQ 3: How long do Amazon Prime Video downloads last?
The duration varies. Rentals typically expire 48 hours after you start watching or 30 days after renting if you have not started watching. Content included with Prime Video can expire within 30 days of downloading, or when the title is removed from the Prime Video library, whichever comes first.
FAQ 4: Can I download Amazon Prime Video content to my computer?
Yes, you can, but only through the Amazon Prime Video app available for Windows and macOS. Downloads are not possible through web browsers.
FAQ 5: How can I check the expiration date of a downloaded video?
Within the Prime Video app, go to your downloads. The app should display an expiration date near the title if one is imminent. However, this information isn’t always prominently displayed.
FAQ 6: What happens when my Amazon Prime Video download expires?
The downloaded title will become unplayable. You’ll need to delete the expired download and re-download it (if it’s still available) to watch it again.
FAQ 7: Can I transfer Amazon Prime Video downloads to another device?
No, downloads are encrypted and tied to the device on which they were downloaded. Transferring files directly will not work.
FAQ 8: How do I delete Amazon Prime Video downloads?
Within the Prime Video app, navigate to your downloads. Tap on the title you want to delete and look for a “Delete” or “Remove” option.
FAQ 9: Can I watch downloaded Amazon Prime Video content without an internet connection?
Yes, that’s the primary purpose of downloading! Once downloaded, you can watch the content offline, provided it hasn’t expired.
FAQ 10: Does downloading Amazon Prime Video content use data?
Yes, downloading uses data. Be mindful of your data limits, especially when downloading high-quality videos over a mobile network. Use Wi-Fi whenever possible.
FAQ 11: Is it legal to screen record Amazon Prime Video movies?
Probably not. Doing so typically violates Amazon’s terms of service and may infringe on copyright law. It is strongly discouraged.
FAQ 12: If I cancel my Amazon Prime membership, what happens to my downloaded videos?
You will lose access to any downloaded content that was included with your Prime membership. Purchased titles should remain accessible as long as you maintain your Amazon account.
Conclusion
Saving Amazon Prime movies for offline viewing offers great convenience, but understanding the limitations of the download system is crucial. Be aware of expiration dates, download limits, and device restrictions. While permanent saving isn’t readily available, the download feature remains a valuable tool for enjoying your favorite content on the go. Consider purchasing titles for more permanent access if specific movies or shows are particularly important to you. By understanding these factors, you can maximize your viewing pleasure within the framework provided by Amazon Prime Video.