[2025 Update] How to Download Hulu Video on Phones, Tablets and PCs?

If you’ve ever lost signal halfway through a cliffhanger, you know the pain. I travel a lot (hello, delayed flights), so I rely on offline downloads. Hulu’s rules are…particular.

Below, I’ll answer “can you download on Hulu,” show you how to download on Hulu, explain how many downloads you can have, and fix the common “why can’t I download?” gremlins—with sources and up-to-date rules.

Smith

Yes, you can download on Hulu with a 'No Ads' plan using the mobile app, but for laptops (PC/Mac), you must use third-party software since there is no official desktop download feature.

Quick QA: Can You Download on Hulu?

Yes. If you pay for any Hulu Premium plans (starting at $18.99/mo.). Downloads are not available on the ad-supported plan.

Also, downloads work only in Hulu’s mobile apps on iPhone/iPad, Android, and Amazon Fire tablets. They do not work on Mac or PC browsers. You can see a little download arrow next to the episode in the app if the title is available for download.

Thinking about upgrading just for offline? I’ll be objective about whether that makes sense in your case through the article Is Hulu Worth It?

And if you came here wondering, “Can you download shows on Hulu on Mac,” the short version is no—see the Mac section below for practical workarounds. But Hulu doesn't only impose just one device limit on its download service.

Limits, Rules, and Expiration (Read Before a Flight)

When using Hulu's download feature, it's important to be aware of certain limitations that govern this convenient offline viewing option, especially the limits on subscription, expiration, and simultaneous streams.

Subscription Requirement

To access Hulu downloads offline, you must first subscribe to a Premium Plan (namely, a plan without ads), and then you can gain the ability to download select titles. Check out the Hulu plans below for your reference:

How Many Downloads or Devices Can You Have?

Even if you're a Premium subscriber, it doesn't mean you can save as many titles as you want. Hulu has a strict limit on the number of downloads you can have and the simultaneous devices:

• Up to 25 titles across the account
• Up to 5 supported mobile devices with downloads

If you hit the limit, delete some items or remove a device to continue. These caps keep rotating as you add/remove content and devices. For a deeper dive into how caps are counted across profiles/devices, see this guide: Hulu Download Limits Explained.

Expiration Windows

Have you ever wondered "why titles disappear?". Well, that's because Hulu won't allow you to keep the downloads forever:

• 30 days to start watching a download (some titles may have shorter windows).
• After you press Play, you typically have 48 hours to finish before it expires.
• If a title leaves Hulu’s library, the download may vanish earlier.

Storage and SD Card Reality

Currently, the Hulu download feature is limited to mobile devices, such as iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire devices. Official Hulu downloads live inside the app’s sandbox and can’t be moved to external storage like an SD card.

If your phone is tight on space, manage quality or delete finished items. Of course, if you want, you can use a tool to help you do it easily. I’ve collected a practical “space-saving” workaround via Hulu downloads to SD card.

Simultaneous Streams

The number of simultaneous streams on Hulu varies based on your chosen plan:

• For Hulu standalone/Bundle plans: Allow streaming on 2 different devices simultaneously.
• For Live TV plans: Stream and download on up to 3 mobile devices outside the network.

Subtitle and Audio Tracks

Downloaded playback follows the title’s available tracks in the app. The real behavior may vary by different titles and providers. Check the Audio & Subtitles options after download if multiple tracks exist. 

How to Download Hulu Shows on Windows or Mac?

No, you cannot officially download Hulu shows on a Windows PC or Mac. Hulu's download feature is designed exclusively for its mobile apps on phones and tablets. There is no official desktop app for downloading content for offline viewing.

But you can use a tool as a practical workaround to download titles on PCs, especially when you need a bigger screen or more space to build an offline library.

I test a lot of tools as part of my day job, but here’s the neutral bottom line: Hulu’s Subscriber Agreement restricts content use, and U.S. law (17 U.S.C. §1201) prohibits breaking DRM or trafficking in such tools outside specific exemptions.

But as a subscriber of Hulu, you have the right to save copies of your favorite shows that you've paid for, to watch them offline later. KeepStreams for Hulu can help you do it easily with any Hulu plan.

KeepStreams For Hulu

Download Hulu videos in HD 1080p and 4K UHD on Windows and Mac.

• Support EAC3 5.1, AAC 2.0 audio format
• Apply H264 video codec to save more space
• Convert videos into MP4/MKV format
• Remove ads from downloaded titles
• Select your preferred languages of audio and subs
• Save subs into SRT files
• Schedule download tasks as you wish
• Download a lot of videos simultaneously
• Enjoy a free trial to save 3 full-length videos in 1080p
• Note: You need an active Hulu subscription (any plan is okay) to download videos with Keepstreams.

 Free Trial  Free Trial

Learn More

Using a tool like KeepStreams allows you to download any Hulu title on your PC or Mac, regardless of your subscription plan (including ad-supported plans):

1. Install the Software: Download and install KeepStreams on your Windows or Mac computer
2. Log into Hulu: Go to VIP Services, and choose Hulu. Log in to your Hulu account.
3. Find and Play a Video: Search for and start playing the video you intend to download.

4. Set and Download: As the video plays, a download prompt will appear. Select your preferred quality (e.g., 1080p), audio, and subtitle options, then click "Download Now."

This method is ideal for users who need a larger screen for offline viewing or want to build a permanent offline library without the typical Hulu download restrictions. This video shows how to use KeepStreams on laptops, step by step:

Download Hulu Videos on Mobile Devices: Use the Official App

For iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

Follow the steps to download Hulu titles inside the official app:

1. Open Hulu → tap Search or open a show/movie page.
2. Look for the download icon next to an episode/movie → tap to start.
3. To find your files: Downloads tab (bottom).
4. Tap a downloaded item → Play offline.
5. To remove: Downloads → Edit → select → Trash.

For Android Phones or Tablets

Follow the same steps as you do on iPhone/iPad. If downloads fail, confirm you’re on a supported device/version, have storage space, and you’re on No Ads—then retry.

For Amazon Fire Tablets

Just as same as you do in the steps above: open Hulu for Fire OS, find the title, and tap the download icon. Older Fire devices may not support the current app—use a recent Fire OS build.

Smith

Not sure if your device is supported? Based on the new rules (Aug 27, 2025), the Hulu download service is available on:

• iOS 16.4 and later
• Android 7.1 or higher with a screen size of at least 800x480 pixels
• Fire OS 7 or higher

Troubleshooting: Why Can't I Download on Hulu?

Sometimes, you might encounter a problem when downloading Hulu videos. If you are unable to download shows or movies on Hulu, it is likely due to one of four common reasons: an incompatible subscription plan, content licensing restrictions, device or app issues, or hitting a download limit.

Here is how to identify and fix each problem.

Why? The download feature is only available on Hulu (No Ads) plans. If your subscription includes ads, the download icon will not appear.

How to Fix? Confirm your plan in Account → Subscription and upgrade it to an "ad-free" tier to enable downloads.

Why? Not every show/movie is licensable for offline viewing. It's mostly decided by the producer instead of the streaming service.

There is no method to fix this problem. If you don't see the download icon (a downward arrow) next to a movie or episode, it cannot be saved for offline viewing. Try downloading a different title to confirm the feature is working on your account.

Why? An outdated app, insufficient storage space, or an active VPN can prevent downloads from starting or completing.

How to fix? Update the Hulu app and your OS, free up storage, and avoid VPNs that can trigger region checks. If downloads are stuck, clear cache (Android) or reinstall.

Why? As mentioned above, Hulu limits you to a total of 25 downloads across 5 different mobile devices. Error messages like "storage full" or "too many devices" indicate you've hit a cap.

How to fix? Check the following list to troubleshoot one by one:

• “Storage full” → lower quality, delete finished titles, or clear cache.
• “Too many devices” → remove an old phone/tablet from your account.
• “Download expired” → renew the download when online (if the title’s still available).

Conclusion

Here’s how I leave Hulu offline on my iPhone and Mac. My pre-trip ritual is simple: confirm the plan, update the app, check for that arrow, pick a few sure-things, and download a day early. Laptop people, I feel you; I often use a tool (not the one "removes DRM") and make my Mac downloads happen.

When using the download option in the Hulu app, I aim for a tidy queue (think: 4 episodes for tonight, a movie for later), because if you hoard everything, you’ll hit the cap and end up deleting in a boarding line—never fun.

Start the first episode only when you’re ready to watch; once you press play, the clock runs, and I’d rather not race a countdown with a seatbelt sign on. Do that, and your biggest drama won’t be "Why won’t it download?" or "why did my downloads disappear?"—it’ll be whether to start episode six or actually sleep.