How to Download Apple TV+ Shows on Your Device｜Mobile & PC
Summary: This guide explains how to download Apple TV+ shows on phones, tablets, and computers using both official methods and StreamFab downloader. StreamFab offers a superior solution with permanent 4K/HDR downloads in MP4/MKV format. The step-by-step tutorial covers installation, downloading shows, and managing your offline library across all devices.
Table of Contents
Hi, I’m Jacob. As a writer and a massive film and TV enthusiast, there’s nothing I love more than diving into a great series. Apple TV+ has been a goldmine for this, with incredible shows like Severance, Silo, and Foundation. But I’ve also faced that all-too-common frustration: you’re on a long flight, on your daily commute, or in a place with spotty Wi-Fi, and the episode you saved... won't play.
It’s a scenario that has sent me down a rabbit hole of research. I wanted to understand not just how to download shows, but why the official methods have limitations and what the best, most reliable alternatives are. This guide is the result of that deep dive. My goal is to walk you through every possibility for offline Apple TV+ viewing, from the official features to third-party tools, so you can make the best choice for your needs.
Can I Download Shows and Movies from Apple TV+?
Yes, no matter the Apple TV+ in mobile phone or in computer, you can both download Apple TV+ shows directly.
The Basics: A Deep Dive into Apple's Official Offline Features
First things first, let's talk about the built-in download feature in the Apple TV app. It's straightforward and works well for many situations.
Download Apple TV Shows and Movies on Mobile (Phone/Tablet)
Download Apple TV Shows and Movies on PC (Win & Mac)
Simple, right? However, the convenience ends there. To truly understand your options, you need to know the "rules of the game" that come with these official downloads.
The "Rules": Understanding the 4 Key Limitations of Official Downloads
While easy to use, the official method comes with several significant restrictions that are often the source of user frustration.
- The Ticking Clock: Downloaded content isn't yours forever. It typically expires 30 days after downloading. Even more pressingly, once you start watching, you have only 48 hours to finish before it becomes unplayable.
- Device & Quantity Caps: Apple limits the number of devices you can have signed in and downloading content at once. While the exact number can be generous, users sometimes run into confusing error messages about having reached a download limit, which can be a frustrating and opaque experience.
- Platform Lock-In: The downloaded files are locked within Apple's ecosystem, saved as M4V content with DRM protection. You can't move that file to a non-Apple device, like an Android tablet or a Windows laptop that doesn't have the Apple TV app, nor can you play it with a versatile third-party player like VLC
- You Don't Own the File: This is the most important concept. With official downloads, you are essentially "renting" an offline viewing license. You don't own the video file itself. This is why the content expires and why you can't freely move or back it up.
The Next Level: Unmasking the "Why" Behind the Limits
To find a real solution, we need to understand why these limitations exist. It boils down to two key technologies: DRM and HDCP.
What is DRM and Why Does It Matter?
DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. It's a technology used by content creators and distributors (like Apple) to protect their work from unauthorized copying and distribution. Think of it as a digital lock on the video file. While it’s crucial for protecting the creative industry, this "lock" is also what enforces the expiration dates and prevents you from playing the file on unauthorized devices.
Why Isn't My Apple TV+ in HD on Windows? The HDCP Mystery
This is one of the most common and frustrating questions I see online. You have a 4K monitor and a fast internet connection, yet Apple TV+ on your Windows PC is stuck in 720p or even SD. The culprit is usually HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection).
HDCP is a protocol that creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device (PC) and your display (monitor) to prevent content from being illegally recorded. For 1080p or 4K streaming of protected content, your entire hardware chain—graphics card, drivers, and monitor—must be HDCP 2.2 compliant.
Faulty graphics drivers or using a browser other than Microsoft Edge (which has better built-in DRM support) can often break this chain, forcing the stream down to a lower resolution.
The Solution Path: Exploring Third-Party Downloaders
This brings us to third-party software. These tools are designed to address the limitations of official methods by downloading the video stream and removing the DRM protection, giving you a standard video file (like an MP4) that you truly own.
Download movies and TV shows from Apple TV+ in up to 4K/1080P lossless resolution and AC3 5.1 & AAC 2.0 audio track.
A Word of Caution: What to Consider Before You Proceed
Before you download any third-party tool, it's vital to be aware of two things:
- Legality and Ethics: Removing DRM is permissible for personal backup and offline viewing only in many regions. However, sharing or distributing the content is illegal and unethical. Use these tools responsibly.
- Account Safety: I’ve seen this mentioned in tech communities like Reddit, and it’s a valid point. Some users express concern about using their primary Apple ID with a third-party application. A common piece of advice from cautious users is to consider using a secondary or "burner" Apple account for this purpose to minimize any potential risk to your main account.
At a Glance: Official Downloads vs. StreamFab
The big question is apparently about freedom and ownership.
To make the difference clear, here’s a visual comparison of what you get with Apple's official method versus a tool like StreamFab.
|
Feature |
Apple TV+ Official Download |
StreamFab Apple TV+ Downloader |
|
File Ownership |
❌ Temporary "Rental" |
✅ Permanent Ownership |
|
Expiration |
❌ Yes (30 days, or 48hrs after play) |
✅ Never Expires |
|
Device Flexibility |
❌ Apple Ecosystem Only |
✅ Any Device (PC, Android, etc.) |
|
Format |
❌ Protected, Proprietary |
✅ Standard MP4/MKV |
|
Ad Removal |
❌ Depends on Subscription |
✅ Always Ad-Free |
My Go-To Choice: An Honest Look at StreamFab Apple TV+ Downloader
After testing various options, the tool I consistently return to is StreamFab Apple TV+ Downloader. But I want to be completely transparent here, and that means addressing its history head-on.
Facing the Past: The "480p Quality" Concern
If you search for reviews, especially on community forums like Reddit's r/Streamfab, you will find posts from users who, in the past, reported that the tool could only download Apple TV+ content at 480p.
These reports were accurate. For a long time, due to the complexity of Apple's FairPlay DRM, achieving high-quality downloads was a significant technical hurdle for all similar software.
Let's Address a Common Concern I've Seen on Reddit...
I've noticed some older Reddit forum posts mentioning that StreamFab's quality for Apple TV+ was stuck at 480p or 720p. It's a valid concern based on past performance, but I can confirm that information is outdated. I did some digging and, according to the IssueWire's press release from August 2024.
StreamFab was significantly enhanced. It now fully supports downloading Apple TV+ content in 1080p Full HD and even 4K UHD with EAC3 5.1 audio. This was a critical upgrade that puts it at the top of the market for video and audio fidelity.
The 2025 Breakthrough: A New Era of Quality
This is where the story changes. Technology doesn't stand still, and neither does the StreamFab development team. In the above major update, announced in an August 2024 press release by IssueWire and the official, StreamFab unveiled a complete overhaul of its Apple TV+ module. This breakthrough finally cracked the quality barrier.
Today, StreamFab fully supports downloading Apple TV+ content in glorious 1080p and even 4K with HDR10/Dolby Vision preserved. This update transformed the tool from a "hit-or-miss" utility into a reliable, high-quality solution.
StreamFab Apple TV+ Downloader: 3 Simple Steps
A Quick Look at the Competition: How StreamFab Compares
To give you the full picture, it's only fair to look at other names you might come across in your search. The market for downloaders is competitive, and a couple of other players are worth mentioning.
Visualizing Quality: A Brand Snapshot
When it comes to downloaders, not all 1080p is created equal. Based on technology and user feedback, here's how the practical quality often stacks up:
|
Brand |
Max Quality (Claimed) |
Practical Quality & Reliability |
|
StreamFab |
Up to 8K |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Consistently high-quality 1080p/4K) |
|
KeepStreams |
(Similar to StreamFab) |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Comparable quality, different brand) |
|
CleverGet |
Up to 8K |
⭐⭐⭐ (User reports of inconsistent 1080p & compression) |
Feature-by-Feature: StreamFab vs. CleverGet vs. KeepStreams
On the surface, many of these tools seem similar. However, the differences are in the details. Here’s a breakdown of how the top contenders stack up:
|
Feature |
StreamFab |
CleverGet |
KeepStreams |
|
Max Video Quality |
Up to 8K; Confirmed 1080p/4K for Apple TV+ |
Up to 8K claimed; User reports mention inconsistent 1080p & heavy compression |
Offers high-quality video downloads from a wide range of platforms |
|
Download Method |
Direct Download (Lossless, no re-encoding) |
Re-encoding (Can be slower, potential quality loss) |
Direct Download (Provides a similar direct download experience) |
|
Batch Downloads |
Yes, with "Schedule Mode" for new episodes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Ad Removal |
Yes, for all subscription tiers |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Subtitle Options |
Separate SRT file or remuxed into video |
Saves metadata |
Multiple language options |
|
User Interface |
Praised for ease of use; dedicated user forum |
Different, clean UI; fewer customization options |
User-friendly interface, often compared to StreamFab's layout |
|
Pricing Model |
Lifetime plan often includes multiple PCs (e.g., 5) |
Lifetime plan typically for 1 PC; can be more expensive per device |
A different brand and pricing structure |
|
Community & Support |
Large user base on Trustpilot; active official forum |
Fewer user reviews; no dedicated user forum mentioned |
Positive user reviews, though a smaller community than StreamFab |
As you can see, while CleverGet has a unique interface, it uses a re-encoding method for downloads, which can be slower and may affect quality.
KeepStreams is another strong contender that provides a very similar feature set to StreamFab, though it is marketed as a separate brand with its own pricing.
For these reasons, I tend to stick with StreamFab due to its proven direct download technology, larger community, and more flexible multi-PC licensing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
These are some of the most common questions I see, drawn from user communities and search trends.
Can I really keep the downloaded videos forever with a tool like StreamFab?
Yes. Because you have saved Apple TV to MP4, then this is a standard, DRM-free MP4 or MKV file, it behaves like any other video file on your computer. It doesn't have an expiration date and won't be revoked.
Is it legal to remove DRM from Apple TV+ content?
As mentioned, this is for personal use only. Using the downloaded file for your own offline viewing and backup is generally considered acceptable. Distributing or selling the content is illegal.
I'm still having trouble getting HD on my Windows PC, even when streaming. What can I do?
This is almost always an HDCP issue. Ensure you are using the Microsoft Edge browser, check that your graphics drivers are up to date (or sometimes, rolling back to a more stable version helps), and confirm your monitor and cable are HDCP 2.2 compliant.
Are there other downloaders besides StreamFab?
Yes, as we've discussed, the market has other options like CleverGet and KeepStreams. I encourage you to do your own research, but based on my experience with consistent updates and the recent quality breakthrough for Apple TV+, StreamFab remains my top recommendation.
Final Thoughts: Crafting Your Perfect Offline Strategy
So, what's the right path for you? It depends on your needs.
- If you're a casual viewer who just needs to save an episode or two for a flight and will watch it on your iPhone or iPad, the official Apple download feature is convenient and perfectly adequate.
- If you're a media enthusiast, a Windows user, or someone who wants to build a permanent, high-quality digital library of your favorite shows that you can watch on any device, anytime, then a powerful tool like StreamFab Apple TV+ Downloader is an investment that truly sets your content free.
The choice is yours. I hope this comprehensive guide has cleared up the confusion and empowered you to watch Apple TV offline. Happy watching
