Note: To keep Netflix downloads forever, you must use a third-party downloader to save videos as local files like MP4. This is because Netflix's official offline viewing feature includes expiration limits, meaning downloaded titles will automatically be deleted after a set period.
Last year, ahead of a long flight for a conference, I meticulously downloaded a season of my favorite show, only to find it had expired when I was ready to watch. Because of my own frustration, I set out to find a permanent answer for other movie and TV fans like me.
Even though Netflix is a great viewing service, I found that its official download feature has some restrictions, most notably a time limit on downloads. It's not possible to save downloaded Netflix videos forever through the official app.
Instead, you need to convert Netflix to a format that can be played on any device, like MP4. I will show you how to solve this problem step by step in this guide.
How Long do Netflix Downloads Last?
Netflix files only work for a certain amount of time and then disappear. I think the exact length can change because it depends on the subject and whether you've already started watching it.
Here are the key time limits for official Netflix downloads:
- Expiration After Watching: Once you start playing a downloaded video, you have 48 hours to finish it before it expires.
- General Expiration Window: Unwatched downloads will expire after a certain period, typically between 7 and 30 days, depending on the content license.
Once you download a video on Netflix, unwatched downloads stay in the downloads folder for up to 30 days. After that, they will expire. You will need to download them again with your subscription.
If you begin watching one of the downloaded videos, you should finish it in under 48 hours, or it will be deleted from the downloaded folder.
These Netflix download limits seem very annoying and useless for subscribed users, but I have to admit there are actually valid reasons:
- DRM Encryption: Based on agreements with content creators, DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection is used to prevent unauthorized copying and distribution of the video files.
- Subscriber Retention: Netflix use expiring downloads to get people to keep their subscriptions in order to view content.
How to Keep Netflix Downloads Forever?
I've found that the only safe way to download Netflix movies and keep them forever is to use third-party downloaders. This is because the default Netflix downloads have limits. These downloaders bypass the Netflix download limits and help you keep your downloaded videos forever.
In fact, I believe third-party downloaders can not only remove DRM protection but also boast the following prime features:
- Overcome the Netflix download limit: You can download up to 100 Netflix videos per day and save them on your computer forever. There is no need to worry about when Netflix downloads expire.
- Auto download options: You can set up the downloader to instantly get new episodes of a show as they come out.
- DRM Removal: Gets rid of the DRM protection on your movies. You can watch Netflix videos you've downloaded on any device.
- MP4/ MKV file formats: Your downloads are saved in MP4 and MKV file formats. This will ensure that you can transfer the videos to any device and watch them with no restrictions. The MP4 and MKV file formats come with universal compatibility.
- High-quality video downloads: Helps you download videos in 1080p resolution. You can also get the H.264, H.265, VP9, and AV1 video codecs to enhance your video performance. It also offers you access to HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
Use KeepStreams to Keep Netflix Downloads Forever
One of the top video downloaders for Netflix is KeepStreams for Netflix. After extensive research, I consider it the best option for both Windows and macOS users. You can use this downloader to get faster downloads in high quality up to 1080p.
If you're looking to prevent a Netflix download from expiring, I can confidently say KeepStreams for Netflix is your best choice.
What's more, different from other video downloaders, the free trial of KeepStreams allows you to download 3 full videos in 1080p. Therefore, KeepStreams for Netflix can be called the best tool for downloading videos from Netflix on a laptop.
Steps to Keep Netflix Downloads Forever
The steps involved in downloading Netflix videos using KeepStreams for Netflix are very simple and easy. I'll walk you through the process, which you'll find requires no technical expertise to use the downloader.
Use the official website to download KeepStreams for Netflix. Use the Free Trial option to download the tool. The free trial offers you three free downloads.
Click on the VIP Services on the left pane. Choose Netflix from among the services available. You can even use the built-in search feature to select Netflix.
Sign in to your Netflix account. Search and play the video that you wish to download. You can use the search feature to access your video. The downloader will analyze the video and provide you with the download settings. These settings will include resolution, audio settings, and other parameters.
Once you have configured your download options, click on Download Now to begin downloading your video. Your download should begin instantly.
You can check your download progress through the Downloading tab. Your downloaded videos will be available under the Downloaded tab.
To quickly find the local folder where the Netflix downloads are saved, you can click the file icon next to each title in the Downloading section. When you get the videos in MP4 or MKV format, you can keep Netflix downloads forever.
Comparison of Netflix Video Downloaders
Since there are so many Netflix video downloaders, people often ask why I recommend KeepStreams. As part of my role, I've personally tested numerous solutions. To give you a clearer picture, I'll explain the reasons from the following dimensions and I've put together a detailed comparison table based on my findings.
| Feature | KeepStreams | Audials | MovPilot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download Method | Re-coding (Lossless) | Screen Recording | Downloading |
| Max Video Quality | Up to 4K (Source dependent) | 1080p | 1080p |
| Audio Quality | EAC3 5.1, AAC 2.0 | 5.1 Surround Sound | Dolby Digital 5.1 |
| Output Format | MP4, MKV | MP4 | MP4, MKV |
| Download Speed | Up to 32MB/s | Up to 4x speed | Up to 5x speed |
| Batch Download | Yes (Entire series/season) | Yes (Queue-based) | Yes (Multiple episodes) |
| Supported OS | Windows & Mac | Windows only | Windows & Mac |
| Pros | Highest quality via re-coding tech, supports many services, auto-downloads new episodes. | Includes video editing tools, supports many output formats, can also record music/podcasts. | Fast download speed, user-friendly interface, multiple subtitle type options. |
| Cons | Higher price point for the all-in-one version. | Screen recording can reduce quality, Mac version is not available, resource-intensive. | Free trial is very limited (first 6 mins), can be slow at times, less supported services overall. |
Compared with Audials and Movpilot, KeepStreams gets the highest favorable rate on Trustpilot. Most reviews mentioned the ease of use, fast download speed, high video quality, and quick response from the support team.
In fact, most Netflix video downloaders that claim to be able to download videos in "original quality" are using record tech in the background. Audials is a prime example of this. Therefore, the video quality must be decreased in this way. That's the reason why you see blur and lag in the downloaded videos.
However, KeepStreams is using advanced re-coding tech. It means that KeepStreams is able to extract videos directly through the URL when you're playing them. Different the traditional recording method, the re-coding won't harm the original video or audio quality, and thus ensures the best offline viewing experience.
Conclusion
In short, you need to get beyond Netflix's built-in limits if you want to keep your downloads forever. The best way to get rid of DRM protection and save the content as a permanent, local video file in MP4 or MKV format is to use a third-party downloader like KeepStreams.
I hope this guide has made things clearer for you. This strategy makes sure that your favorite movies and episodes never go away and can be watched on any device at any time, even if you don't have a Netflix account.
FAQs
Q1. Can I remove DRM protection from Netflix downloads?
A1. There are no default methods to remove the DRM protection. However, you can use Netflix downloaders like KeepStreams for Netflix to download the videos without DRM restrictions.
Q2. Is KeepStreams Safe?
A2. Yes, you can use KeepStreams safely. We examine our program a lot to make sure it doesn't include any malware or viruses. We also use secure payment gateways for all of our purchases. I always urge users to get the software from our official KeepStreams website for safety reasons.
Q3. Can I keep Netflix downloads after my subscription ends?
A3. You won't be able to play any official Netflix downloads after your subscription stops. But when you use KeepStreams to download movies, they are saved on your PC as MP4 or MKV files. So, even if you don't have a Netflix account, you can keep them and watch them whenever you want.
Q4. Is it legal to download Netflix videos for personal use?
A4. The laws in your country will tell you if it's lawful. In most places, making a copy of anything you legally have access to for personal use (like watching it on a plane) is typically seen as a gray area or okay under fair use rules.
Q5. How many videos can you download on Netflix?
A5. With the official Netflix app, you can download a maximum of 100 titles on a single device at any given time. However, with a tool like KeepStreams for Netflix, this limit is overcome. You can download up to 100 videos per day, every day, allowing you to build a much larger personal library.
Q6. Can you watch Netflix offline on TVs?
A6. Most Smart TVs don't let you watch downloaded movies and TV shows using the official Netflix app. You can simply move videos to a USB device, though, if you save them as MP4 files with KeepStreams. Just put the USB into your TV's port, and you may watch your downloaded collection on the big screen without being connected to the internet.