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Netflix downloads: device limits, expiry and "too many devices"

By LookedApp · Published

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Netflix lets you keep up to 100 active downloads per device, but only on Android phones and tablets, iPhones, iPads, Amazon Fire tablets and Chromebooks that have the Google Play Store. Your plan also caps how many devices can hold downloads at once.

Windows computers can't download: Netflix says the feature isn't available on devices that use Windows.

To download, open the app, go to My Netflix > Downloads > See What You Can Download, and pick a title. On a Chromebook it's Downloads > Find More to Download. Movies have a Download button. For shows you tap the button next to an episode, or Download Season.

The title has no download icon

Not every title can be downloaded. Netflix gives three reasons: another company holds exclusive rights, the rights to offer downloads aren't available from the content provider, or popularity, cost, seasonal or local factors got in the way. Some Netflix originals are made with a studio that owns the franchise, and those can be streamable but not downloadable.

If no title at all shows the icon, Netflix's troubleshooting page points to an outdated app or operating system. Fire tablets need Fire OS 7 or later.

"You have downloads on too many devices"

This message (error 10016-23000, or NQL.23000 on some devices) means you've reached the plan's limit on devices holding downloads. Your current limit is shown on the Manage Download Devices page of your account.

To get under it, remove one device's downloads from the device that's showing the error. In the app: My Netflix, your profile name, Account, then Mobile download devices under Devices, and tap Remove device next to the one you don't need. You can do the same on the web page. Removing a device deletes everything downloaded on it.

Or change to a plan that allows more download devices.

A download says Expired

Downloads expire after a period of time. Until then you can watch a download as often as you like.

To renew one, delete it (Downloads, tap the status icon next to the title, Delete Download) and download it again. On an iPhone or iPad, Netflix also suggests checking that Date & Time is set automatically. Titles that have left Netflix can't be renewed.

Some titles also have a cap on how many times they can be downloaded or renewed in a year, set by the studio and license agreements. If you hit it, the only way to watch is to stream.

What removes your downloads

  • Cancelling your account. If you restart the membership, you download again.
  • Removing the device from your account.
  • Clearing the app's data on Android, or deleting the app on iPhone or iPad.
  • Download Next Episode, on devices that have it, which deletes an episode after you watch it.

Downloads stay on the device that saved them and show up under every profile on it. In a Kids profile, downloads with higher maturity ratings may not be playable offline.

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