Netflix’s smart download feature broadens its horizons by “downloading for you.” It can now automatically download movies and TV shows you might like, helping you in those situations where you find yourself without internet access or have to wait for a long time, such as during your evening commute. (Remember commuting to work? Saving commute time is one of the few things I’m grateful for COVID-19 for.) Previously, Netflix’s Smart Downloads would automatically delete episodes you’d watched and download the next episode of said show. But a movie (or new show) is out of the question. Netflix takes it a step further with “Downloads for You.”
How to automatically download movies and TV shows on the Netflix app
Of course, Netflix’s “Downloads for You” is an opt-in feature that you can turn on within the Netflix app. This feature is only available on Android devices and is currently not available on iPhones and iPads.
- To get started, just launch the Netflix Android app.
- Then, click download tab.
- There, click the switch next to Download for you.
- On the next screen, decide how much storage space you want to allocate to your downloads. Netflix says 3GB is enough to hold 12 movies and TV shows.
- Once you’ve made up your mind, tap Open.
If you change your mind, you can disable the “Download for you” switch in the Netflix app at any time. Alternatively, if you have storage issues, you can reduce the amount it takes download > Smart download. Or, if you want even more surprises, just increase the storage space allocated to Downloads for You. The storage space you reserve for automatic downloads will not be used by manual downloads you initiate in the Netflix app.
“Three years ago, we launched Smart Downloads so you could find the next episode of your favorite shows even when you were on the go,” Netflix director of product innovation Patrick Flemming wrote on the Netflix blog. “Now, we want to make it quick and easy for you to discover the next new series or movie you love, whether you’re online or not. Today we’re launching Downloads for You, a new feature that automatically downloads recommended shows or movies based on your preferences to your mobile device.”
Netflix’s Downloads for You is now available on Android platforms globally. It will enter iOS testing soon. If you’re wondering how long you might have to wait, Netflix’s Smart Download feature took nearly seven months to make the jump from Android to iOS.
