[Solved!] How to Download Crunchyroll Videos on PC/Mobile?

As a otaku, I really want to watch my favorite series offline anytime, anywhere. Whether I'm commuting, traveling, or in a place with poor network conditions, being able to open my phone or computer to watch anime is a great satisfaction.

However, after I downloaded Crunchyroll episodes two days ago, some errors appear when I watch Crunchyroll offline! "What are the restrictions on Crunchyroll downloads?" "Is there a way to download Crunchyroll videos permanently/unlimited?" This is not only my problem, but also a common pain point in the user community.

Part 1: Official Crunchyroll Download Methods and Limitations

If you are a mobile user and do not want to install any software. A direct method to rip from Crunchyroll can satisfy you well. It is also a very simple process that enables you to enjoy anime episodes offline.

Keep in mind that by using this method, not all Crunchyroll episodes are available for download, and some may have restrictions depending on your subscription plan. If you want to download those anime on Crunchyroll without a download option, please turn to Part 2.

Operation Steps

Step 1: Install the Crunchyroll app and log in to your account

First things first, download the Crunchyroll app on your device. It’s available on both Android and iOS platforms and can be downloaded from their respective app stores.

Step 2: Find the anime show you want to download

Browse through the list of anime shows available on Crunchyroll and select the one you want to download. You can use the search bar or filter options to find specific shows quickly.

Step 3: Select the episode you want to download

After selecting an anime show, click on the episode you want to download from Crunchyroll. You’ll be directed to a page where you can stream the episode and see the download option.

Step 4: Click on the download icon

To download the episode, click on the download icon located below the video player. The download will start immediately, and you can monitor its progress from the downloads section on the app menu.

Inherent Limits of Official Downloads

Officially downloaded Crunchyroll episodes are protected with Digital Rights Management (DRM).This means that the files are encrypted and can only be played within the Crunchyroll app on the specific device on which they were downloaded. You cannot transfer them to other devices (e.g. copy to another computer or player via USB) or open them with any player outside of the Crunchyroll app.

I can understand this encryption method, after all, all streaming media do this, but what I really can't understand is why some anime on Crunchyroll can be watched online in 1080P quality, but when I choose offline mode, the highest option is only 720P? Apparently, I am not the only one who has this question (see picture below)

In addition to the offline quality issues mentioned above, users are dissatisfied with playback restrictions and device issues caused by DRM protection, download expiration, inconsistent subtitles, inconvenient storage management, and restrictions on advertising support levels.

I made a radar chart on the complaints about Crunchyroll download limits based on user comments online:

In this case, I think it is reasonable to choose the best Crunchyroll downloader as an auxiliary tool.

Part 2: Download Crunchyroll Episodes without Expiration!

Given the various restrictions on official downloads, many users naturally ask: "Is there a way to preserve Crunchyroll to MP4 format or download Crunchyroll videos permanently/unlimited?" Crunchyroll downloader is born for this purpose. There are many options on the market, StreamFab, CleverGet, Y2Mate, the following are the solutions often mentioned in the user community

1. Solution Compare

I tested all three and compared their ease of use, download quality, subtitle support, batch download capabilities, and, of course, price, as shown in the table below.

In general, from the aspect of output quality:

• StreamFab = Y2Mate > CleverGet > Crunchyroll offical

While from the aspect of affordable price:

• CleverGet > StreamFab > Y2Mate

StreamFab is suitable for users who want high quality, while CleverGet is a cheaper option for users who do not have such high quality requirements.

2. My Choice: StreamFab Crunchyroll Downloader

I chose StreamFab Crunchyroll Downloader. From the quality point of view, its output quality is the highest, lossless 1080P. Although CleverGet is $5 cheaper than it, I think it is worth spending the $5 for the quality and automatic download function.

3. Steps to Download Crunchyroll Episodes with StreamFab

Step 1: Download the StreamFab Crunchyroll Downloader

Install StreamFab Crunchyroll Downloader on your device and open the interface

Step 2: Choose the video you want to download from Crunchyroll

Find the Streaming Services tap on the left column and click Crunchyroll Downloader. Log into your account, and play the Crunchyroll video you want to download.

Step 3: Customize the file

A pop-up window will ask for your video options. You can choose the audio, subtitle language, and even the multiple episodes to be downloaded from Crunchyroll.

Step 4: Click the download button

After customization, you can download Crunchyroll episodes on Mac or Windows PC immediately or add them to the Queue for later downloading.

With StreamFab, you can download 3 videos from Crunchyroll in 1080P on PC during free trial. If you want to unlock unlimited Crunchyroll downloads, you have to pay for the premium version. It is enough to experience the software function during the 3 chances, however, for a longer time use, it is recommended to purchase. 

Conclusion

Official downloads are a benefit of premium membership, allowing for offline viewing on mobile devices and Windows PCs, but are subject to DRM protection, quality, and expiration limitations. Crunchyroll downloaders can help you overcome these limitations, allowing you to permanently watch offline in 1080p or even higher resolutions and save videos in common formats.

When you use tools to back up, please choose safe tools and install and download from official website. Downloads can only be used for personal viewing. If you are still confused about these ways to download Crunchyroll episodes, you can try them yourself first and then choose the one that suits you.