[Solved!] How to Download Crunchyroll Videos on PC/Mobile?
Summary: This guide aims to solve common problems that Crunchyroll users encounter when watching their favorite anime offline. It reviews the download methods that users often recommend online.
As an otaku, I want a simple, reliable way to watch my favorite series offline—on the train, on a trip, or anywhere with a weak connection. After downloading a few episodes recently, I hit errors and limits when I watch Crunchyroll offline. What exactly are the download restrictions? Is there a way to keep episodes permanently? This guide answers those questions with official steps, limits, and practical alternatives.
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 or via a PC instead, please turn to Part 2.
4 Steps to Download Crunchyroll Episodes via the Crunchyroll App
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.
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.
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.
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
If you download episodes from Crunchyroll straight from the app, you’ll quickly notice they come locked down with some pretty tough Digital Rights Management (DRM). Basically, these downloads aren’t just regular video files; they’re encrypted, so you can only play them inside the Crunchyroll app itself, and only on the same device you originally used for downloading. I’ve tried to move files via USB to another laptop out of curiosity, but that didn’t work at all. No way to open them with other video players either, Crunchyroll keeps things pretty locked in.
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:
| Platform | Offline Download | Max Quality | Expiration / Renewal | Subtitles | Device Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iOS / Android | Yes (App) | 720p/1080p (title dependent) | Yes, requires periodic online check | Available by title/language | Bound to device (DRM) |
| Windows (App) | Yes (App) | Up to 1080p (title dependent) | Yes, renewal required | Available by title/language | Bound to device (DRM) |
| Export to MP4 | No (Official) | — | — | — | — |
In this case, I think it is reasonable to select 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, such as StreamFab, CleverGet, and 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.
| Crunchyroll Official Downloads | StreamFab Crunchyroll Downloader | CleverGet Crunchyroll Downloader | Y2Mate Crunchyroll Downloader | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Supported Systems |
Mobile Devices (iOS, Android) |
Windows, Mac |
Windows, Mac |
Windows, Mac |
|
Maximum Quality |
720p/1080p |
Lossless 1080p |
Re-encode 1080p |
Lossless 1080p |
|
MP4 Format |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Auto-Download Mode |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Ad Removal |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Pricing |
Premium Plan ($7.99/month) |
$79.99 (Lifetime) |
$75.99 (Lifetime) |
$129.99 (Lifetime) |
- If you only need quick mobile offline viewing, official downloads are the simplest, but DRM applies, and quality/expiration may vary.
- For permanent MP4 playback across devices, a downloader provides 1080p files and flexible storage.
- Auto-download and subtitle/metadata controls help batch episodes and organize libraries efficiently.
In general, from the aspect of output quality:
- StreamFab = Y2Mate > CleverGet > Crunchyroll official
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 picked 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.
StreamFab Crunchyroll Downloader
- Get ad-free downloads from Crunchyroll for an unlimited period.
- Unlimited Crunchyroll downloads with 1080p resolution & EAC3 5.1 or AAC 2.0 audio track.
- Downloading option with H.264 or H.265 codecs to save your device storage space.
- Save as MP4 or MKV Remux files for flexible playback on any device.
- Advanced Subtitle Options: Download as external .ASS or .SRT files, mux into the MKV (soft subs, switchable), or burn directly into the video (hard subs).
- Preserves metadata (show name, episode title) for easy library management.
- Scheduled newly released videos will be automatically downloaded from Crunchyroll.
Choose the video you want to download from Crunchyroll
Find the Streaming Services on the left column and click on the Crunchyroll module. Log in to your Crunchyroll account and play the video you want to download.
Customize the file
Once the video begins playing, a pop-up window will show up. From there, you can pick which episodes to save, choose your preferred audio track, and set the video format—MP4 or MKV Remux, whichever works best for you.
More importantly, you can now choose advanced subtitle modes:
- Download as external .ASS file: This is the best choice for anime fans. The .ASS (Advanced SubStation Alpha) format perfectly preserves all the special fonts, colors, on-screen positioning (like notes or attack names), and karaoke effects that basic .SRT files lose.
Click the download button
After customization, you can download Crunchyroll episodes on a Mac or Windows PC immediately or add them to the Queue for later downloading.
- Login/403 issues → clear cache, re-login, disable conflicting extensions.
- Black screen → close other DRM players, update GPU driver, relaunch app.
- No subtitles → re-parse title and select language again.
- Queue fails → update to the latest version and check free disk space.
- Using VPN → try disabling it if playback/auth fails.
- With StreamFab, you can download 3 videos from Crunchyroll in 1080p on PC during the 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 longer-term use, it is recommended to purchase.
FAQs
1. Can I Screen Record on Crunchyroll?
Parts of the episodes on Crunchyroll are DRM-protected, which may result in a black screen when you try to screen record Crunchyroll.
2. Why do I get crashes when downloading Crunchyroll anime?
I’ve also run into problems with streaming and DRM playback before, and oddly enough, a VPN has been the culprit more than once. If you’re running a VPN, try turning it off for a bit to check whether that sorts things out. Sometimes, just disconnecting does the trick.
3. Which membership tiers allow offline downloads?
At least a Mega Fan plan. Whether you can watch something offline really boils down to two things: the type of plan you’re paying for and which show or movie you’re trying to download. Usually, the pricier subscriptions let you store more videos for offline use.
4. Why is offline quality lower than streaming quality?
That’s mainly due to DRM and licensing rules. Some titles might stream at 1080p, but when downloaded, they drop to 720p because of content restrictions or device limitations. It’s not your app—it’s the policy.
5. Do offline downloads expire or need renewal?
Yes. You’ll need to connect to the internet once in a while so the app can verify your license and keep your downloads active.If a title expires or your device can’t renew properly, that episode will stay locked until you go online again.
6. What's the difference between hard subs, soft subs, and external ASS?
Hard subs are baked right into the video—you can’t turn them off, which makes them work on any screen, even TVs. Soft subs, or muxed subtitles, sit inside the MKV file and can be toggled on or off in your player. External ASS or SRT files stay separate, but .ASS (Advanced SubStation Alpha) is a fan favorite for anime since it supports custom fonts, colors, and flashy effects like karaoke.
7. Why use ASS subtitles for anime?
Anime often includes stylized on-screen text—signs, inner thoughts, attack names—and colorful opening or ending lyrics. The .ASS format captures all that flair: unique fonts, timing, placement, and animation. Crunchyroll’s app tends to flatten these details, which is why many fans prefer downloading the original .ASS subtitles for a truer viewing experience.
Conclusion
Using a Crunchyroll downloader can get around the official download limits. Suddenly, you can save episodes in regular video formats, watch in full 1080p, or sometimes even higher, and basically keep the shows forever if you want, no more random time limits.
- Just a heads-up: when you back things up, stick to tools you trust. I always make sure to grab them directly from the official websites. And, obviously, these downloads should be for your own viewing only.
If all this sounds a bit confusing, honestly, you’re not alone. I remember the first time I tried to download Crunchyroll episodes, I had no idea what half the settings meant. Maybe just give it a go, see which tool feels right for you, and take it from there.
