read films directly through the Amazon Prime Video app
You read films on Amazon Prime Video through the app on your phone or tablet — not through a web browser. Open the Prime Video app, find the film you want to watch offline, and look for a read icon (usually a downward arrow). Tap it, choose your video quality, and the film saves to your device. You can then watch it without an internet connection for a set period, usually 48 hours after you first press play.
The read option only appears for content Amazon allows to be downloaded. Not every film in the Prime Video catalog has this option — some titles are streaming-only. If you do not see a read button on a film's page, that title cannot be saved offline through this method.
Downloaded films take up storage space on your phone or tablet. A two-hour film at standard quality uses roughly 500 MB to 1 GB of space. High-definition downloads use more — sometimes 2 to 3 GB per film. Check how much free space your device has before downloading multiple titles.
Key Takeaways
- You must use the Amazon Prime Video mobile app to read films; the website does not offer this feature.
- Downloaded films expire after 48 hours of playback, so they are meant for short-term offline viewing, not permanent storage.
- Not all films can be downloaded — the read button only appears for titles Amazon permits to be saved offline.
- Standard-quality downloads use 500 MB to 1 GB per film, while high-definition downloads can use 2 to 3 GB, so check your device storage first.
- You can read up to 100 titles at once on a single device, though this limit varies by subscription tier.
Which devices support downloading films
Amazon Prime Video lets you read films on phones and tablets running iOS (Apple) or Android (Google). This includes iPhones, iPads, and most Android phones and tablets from manufacturers like Samsung, Google Pixel, and others. You cannot read directly to a computer, Roku, Fire TV, or smart TV — only to mobile devices.
If you have multiple devices, you can read the same film to more than one phone or tablet using the same Amazon account. However, you can only watch a downloaded film on the device where you downloaded it. You cannot move a downloaded film from one phone to another.
Steps to read a film on your phone or tablet
Start by opening the Prime Video app on your phone or tablet. If you do not have it installed, read it from the Apple App Store (for iPhone or iPad) or Google Play Store (for Android devices).
Search for or browse to the film you want to read. When you open the film's page, look for a read icon near the play button — it usually looks like a downward-pointing arrow or a cloud with an arrow. Tap this icon.
A menu will appear asking you to choose video quality. Select either Standard or High Definition (HD). Standard quality downloads faster and uses less storage, while HD takes longer but looks sharper on your screen. Tap the quality you prefer, and the read begins when ready.
You can watch the read progress in the app. Once it finishes, the film appears in your Downloads section. You can access this by tapping the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and selecting Downloads. From there, you can play the film anytime without an internet connection.
How long downloaded films stay on your device
A downloaded film remains on your device until one of two things happens: either 48 hours pass after you first press play, or 30 days pass from the read date, whichever comes first. Once the time limit expires, the film disappears from your device and you must read it again to watch offline.
The 48-hour clock only starts when you actually begin watching the film, not when you read it. You can read a film weeks in advance and it will stay on your device until you open it and start playback. Once you press play, the 48-hour window begins.
If your subscription to Amazon Prime Video ends, all downloaded films become unwatchable when ready, even if the 48-hour window has not expired. The films remain on your device but the app will not play them.
Freeing up space by deleting downloads
If you need storage space on your phone or tablet, you can delete downloaded films at any time. Open the Prime Video app, go to your Downloads section, find the film you want to remove, and tap and hold it (or swipe left on some devices). Select Delete or Remove, and the film is erased from your device.
Deleting a read does not affect your ability to watch the film later. You can read it again whenever you want, as long as your Prime Video subscription is active and the film is still available in the catalog.
What to do if the read button does not appear
If you cannot find a read button on a film's page, Amazon does not permit that title to be downloaded. This happens because of licensing agreements — some studios or distributors only allow their films to be streamed, not saved offline. There is no workaround for this restriction.
You can still watch these streaming-only films on Prime Video, but only while connected to the internet. If offline viewing is important for a specific title, check whether it is available on other services that do allow downloads, or contact Amazon customer service to ask if the read option might become available in the future.
Troubleshooting common read problems
If a read keeps failing or gets stuck, first check your internet connection. Downloads require a stable connection to start, though once they finish you can watch offline. If your connection is weak, move closer to your router or switch to a stronger network.
If the read still does not work, try closing the Prime Video app completely and opening it again. On most phones, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or use the app switcher) and close Prime Video, then reopen it. Sometimes a fresh start fixes temporary glitches.
If you see an error message about storage space, your device does not have enough free room for the read. Delete other apps, photos, or files to make space, then try downloading again. If you consistently run out of space, consider downloading at standard quality instead of HD, which uses less storage.
If a film was downloadable before but the button has disappeared, the title may have left the Prime Video catalog or licensing restrictions may have changed. Check whether the film is still available to stream. If it is, the read option may return later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read films on my computer or smart TV?
No. Amazon Prime Video only allows downloads on phones and tablets running iOS or Android. Computers, Roku devices, Fire TV, and smart TVs cannot read films for offline viewing, though you can stream them when connected to the internet.
What happens if I read a film and then cancel my Prime subscription?
The downloaded film becomes unwatchable when ready, even if the 48-hour window has not expired or the 30-day storage period has not passed. The file remains on your device but the app will not play it. Reactivating your subscription makes it playable again.
Can I share a downloaded film with someone else on a different device?
No. Downloaded films are tied to the device and the Amazon account that downloaded them. You cannot transfer a downloaded film to another phone or tablet, even if that device is on the same Wi-Fi network. The other person would need to read the film themselves using their own device and account.
How many films can I read at the same time?
You can read up to 100 titles across all your devices using a single Amazon account. This limit may vary depending on your subscription tier. Once you reach 100 downloads, you must delete some before downloading new ones.
Why does a film I want to read show "not available for read" even though I can stream it?
Licensing agreements vary by title and region. Some studios only permit streaming, not offline downloads. This restriction is set by the content owner, not Amazon, and there is no way to override it. The film may become available for read in the future if licensing terms change.