Accessing your favorite shows and movies on the go is essential in today’s fast-paced world. Hulu’s download feature solves this problem by allowing subscribers to save select content for offline viewing.
In this guide, I will walk you through the step-by-step process of finding and downloading Hulu content, discuss the requirements, and explore the various options to ensure a seamless offline viewing experience.
Get ready to take your Hulu library with you wherever you go.
Steps To Download Hulu Shows/Movies — Detailed Guide
Here are the steps to download shows and movies on Hulu:-
- Open the Hulu app on your supported mobile device.
- In the bottom-right corner, click on the magnifying icon.
- Select the Downloadable category in the Search tab.
- Alternatively, you can search for the movie or show you want to download.
- Now, head to the details page and click on the download icon.
- Tap the Download icon next to the video to download it.
You can download videos while connected to WiFi or cellular data.
- Tap the Downloads icon at the bottom of the screen.
You can watch all downloaded videos regardless of which Profile was used to download them.
Important Note:
You will have access to your unwatched downloads for 30 days unless the episode or movie expires from the streaming library before that. Once you start playback, you will have 48 hours to finish watching before the download expires.
If a download expires before you have watched it, you can renew it.
After watching the video, tap the Trash icon to delete it and free up space on your device.
Requirements for Downloading Hulu Shows
To take full advantage of Hulu’s download feature, you must follow a set of requirements.
Hulu has implemented these guidelines to manage the download functionality and ensure a seamless offline viewing experience. (Source – Hulu help center.)
- Subscription
First and foremost, you must subscribe to one of Hulu’s premium “No Ads” plans.
The download feature is exclusively available to these higher-tier plan holders and inaccessible to Hulu’s basic, ad-supported plan users.
- Device
Hulu’s downloads are limited to supported mobile devices only. You won’t be able to download content to your living room devices, smart TVs, or even the Hulu website.
The list of compatible devices includes:
- iPhones
- iPads
- Android smartphones and tablets
- Amazon Fire tablets.
- Download Icon
It’s important to note that not all content on Hulu is available for offline viewing. You can only download shows and movies that display the dedicated Download icon.
Premium Add-on content and Live TV programming are not eligible for downloads.
- Download Limits
Hulu limits the number of downloads you can have at one time. You’re capped at 25 downloads across five supported devices linked to your account.
These limits apply at the account level, not per individual profile.
- Download Expiry
Downloaded content has a limited lifespan. You will have 30 days to access your unwatched downloads unless the title is removed from Hulu’s streaming library before then.
Once you start watching a downloaded show or movie, you’ll have 48 hours to finish it before the license expires.
Source – Hulu Help Center
How to Download Hulu Shows – Ad-Free Subscription
To download the Hulu Shows, follow the step-by-step instructions for the three methods below.
Method One: iPhone
- Open the Hulu app on your iPhone.
- Tap the Search icon and select the Downloadable category in the Search tab.
- Navigate to the movie’s details page or show you’d like to download.
- Tap the Download icon next to the video to download it.
- Tap the Downloads icon at the bottom of the screen to see all the downloads on that device.
Method Two: Android
- Open the Hulu app on your Android device.
- Tap the Search icon and select the Downloadable category in the Search tab.
- Navigate to the movie’s details page or show you’d like to download.
- Tap the Download icon next to the video to download it.
- Tap the Downloads icon at the bottom of the screen to see all the downloads on that device.
Method Three: iPad
- Open the Hulu app on your iPad.
- Tap the Search icon and select the Downloadable category in the Search tab.
- Navigate to the movie’s details page or show you’d like to download.
- Tap the Download icon next to the video to download it.
- Tap the Downloads icon at the bottom of the screen to see all the downloads on that device.
Where is the global navigation bar located on Hulu?
The global navigation bar on Hulu varies depending on the device you use:-
- Web browser: Located at the top of your screen.
- TV-connected device: On your screen’s left side, scroll to the left or select Back to open.
- Mobile device (iPhone, Android, iPad): You can access navigation options from the top and bottom of the Home page.
Can Hulu ad-support subscribers download shows?
Unfortunately, Hulu’s ad-supported plan does not allow downloading shows or movies for offline viewing. The download feature is only available to subscribers of Hulu’s No Ads plan.
However, there are a couple of options available for users with a Hulu Ads subscription who want to download shows:
- Upgrade to Hulu (No Ads) or Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV.
These plans allow you to download shows and movies from the Hulu streaming library.
- Hulu (No Ads) costs $17.99/month
- Disney Bundle (Basic): $14.99/ Month—Hulu (with ads), Disney+ (with ads), and ESPN+ (with ads).
- Disney Bundle (Premium): Hulu (with ads), Disney+ (with ads), and ESPN+ (with ads) are $24.99/month.
- Get Disney Bundle
If you have an eligible Disney Bundle or standalone Disney+ subscription, you can download select Hulu content from the Disney+ app or website.
- Please note that even with these plans, not all titles are available for download.
- Shows and movies from Premium Add-ons aren’t downloadable nor are additional on-demand content with a Live TV subscription.
- Also, downloads on the device used to download are only available to watch in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and U.S. military bases).
Hulu Download Quality & Viewing Experience
Hulu offers a variety of video quality options that can impact your viewing experience and storage space. Here’s a detailed breakdown:-
- Video Quality Options
Hulu’s streaming library and live TV programming are available to stream in various high-definition (HD) video qualities:-
- High Definition (HD) 1080p: 6 Mbps
- Standard Definition (SD): 1.5 Mbps
- 4K Ultra HD: 16 Mbps
- High Definition (HD) 720p: 3 Mbps
The quality will automatically adjust based on your available bandwidth, ensuring you have the best picture quality for streaming. These options may also vary depending on the content you’re watching and your streaming device.
- Impact on Viewing Experience
The video quality can significantly impact your viewing experience.
Higher video quality provides a clearer and more detailed image and sound, enhancing the sharpness of the image, the smoothness of motion, and the clarity of dialogue and sound effects.
However, it requires a faster internet connection and may consume more data.
If your internet connection is slow or unstable, you might experience buffering or reduced video quality.
- Impact on Storage Space
Hulu allows you to choose between Standard and High-quality downloads. High-quality downloads offer a better viewing experience but take up more storage space on your device.
- Quality Control Settings
Hulu offers two options that allow you to optimize the visual quality of your streaming experience to suit the network bandwidth that is currently available to you:-
- Data Saver: Limits your data consumption during playback.
- Best Available: Maximizes your visual quality during playback.
Remember, the device you use to access Hulu can affect the streaming quality.
Older devices with outdated hardware may struggle to process high-definition video content, resulting in a lower-quality viewing experience. While higher video quality can enhance your viewing experience, it’s essential to consider the following:-
- Your device capabilities
- Internet speed
- Storage space when choosing your video quality settings on Hulu.
Hulu vs. Competitors – Specifically in terms of the Download feature
Let’s compare Hulu’s download feature with that of other popular streaming platforms:-
- Hulu TV
Hulu allows users to download up to 25 titles across five devices.
Once content is downloaded, it can be accessed for 30 days. However, once you start watching, you have 48 hours to finish viewing the content before it expires.
- HBO Now
Historically, HBO has lagged in offering offline viewing options. HBO Now, for instance, does not support offline downloads for its content. The only exception exists if you subscribe to HBO through Apple TV channels, which then allows for some offline viewing capabilities.
- Disney+
Disney+ offers one of the most user-friendly offline access options among streaming platforms. At launch, it provided unlimited downloads on up to 10 devices.
There are no specific limits on how many titles you can download. And the downloads remain available as long as you are a subscriber.
My Verdict – Based on the comparison:-
- Disney+ stands out as the most flexible in terms of download features. It offers unlimited downloads and the ability to use up to 10 devices.
- Hulu also provides a decent option with a limit of 25 titles and five devices, which suffice for most users.
- HBO Now remains limited by not offering a download feature, which could be a significant drawback for users who need offline access.
How to Watch Downloaded Hulu Shows Offline
Please note that Autoplay is disabled when streaming downloads.
- Open your Hulu app.
- Tap on the Downloads icon in the menu bar.
- Select your choice of movie or TV show to start viewing it offline.
As for user testimonials about the ease of use, download speeds, etc., here are some insights:-
- Users have found the download feature on Hulu to be quite straightforward.
- The download speeds largely depend on the user’s internet connection.
- Some users are disappointed that the download feature is only available with the Hulu (No Ads) subscription.
- Users have also mentioned that not all titles are available for download, which can be a limitation.
- It’s been noted that downloading isn’t available on a desktop via the Hulu.com website.
More On How To:
Conclusion: Download Hulu Shows & Movies In Easy Steps
Hulu’s download feature offers a practical solution for offline viewing.
It allows users to download up to 25 titles across five devices. While the feature is restricted to those with a “No Ads” subscription, it ensures that viewers can enjoy their favorite shows and movies without an internet connection.
To utilize this feature, simply follow the steps to select and download content directly to your mobile device. Remember, downloads are temporary, so plan your viewing accordingly to make the most of this convenient option.
FAQs
Can you download Hulu shows to watch offline?
Hulu allows users to download up to 25 titles on five devices for offline viewing.
Why can’t I download it on Hulu?
If you cannot download on Hulu, check if you have an eligible subscription plan, sufficient device storage, and whether the content is available for download.
Can you download recorded shows from Hulu?
Hulu currently does not support downloading recorded shows from the DVR.
How to download Hulu shows in 2024?
To download shows on Hulu in 2024, select the download icon next to the show or movie you want to watch offline, ensuring you use a supported mobile device.
