How to Download Hulu Shows on Mobile & PC Devices?
Summary: Hulu allows users to download shows on mobile for offline watching, but how about the PC device? This post covers a comprehensive guide on how to download Hulu videos, without limits on device and time expiration. Read on to learn more.
Quick Answer: Can You Download from Hulu?
Yeah, kinda, but there are catches. If you pay for Hulu’s No-Ads Plan, you can download shows and movies. But! Only works on certain phones and tablets. Plus, those downloads disappear after a while. And they're stuck inside the Hulu app. Need offline videos on your computer? Like, actual MP4 or MKV files that don't expire? You'll probably need to try a downloader program instead.
- Yes, but only if you have the No-Ads plan.
- Works on iOS phones/iPads, Android phones/tablets, and Amazon Fire tablets.
- Downloads go poof after 30 days (or 48 hours once you start watching).
- Files are trapped inside the Hulu app, can't move 'em.
- Want downloads on PC/Mac or in 4K? Gotta use something like StreamFab Hulu Downloader.
Method 1: Download Hulu Shows the Official Way (Hulu App) [Needs Premium Plan]
Okay, the simplest and most legit way to watch Hulu offline? Just use Hulu's own app. Yeah, there are some annoying rules, like we mentioned. But this way is easy, safe, and usually works without much fuss.
1. Who Can Do It & What Are the Limits?
| Your Plan | What Devices Work? | What Can You Download? | How Long Do They Last? | Other Annoyances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No-Ads Plan | iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Tablet | Only some shows/movies | Expires after a while | Can only watch inside the Hulu app |
| Basic Plan / Others | PCs, Macs don't work | No downloads allowed | - | Gotta upgrade to No-Ads plan |
2. How to Actually Do It (The Steps)
- What you need: Gotta have the Hulu No-Ads Plan. And you need an iOS device (iPhone/iPad), Android (phone/tablet), or an Amazon Fire Tablet.
- Steps are:
- Open up that Hulu app and sign in.
- Find a show or movie you want. Look for the little download icon (usually an arrow pointing down) and tap it.
- Just wait for it to finish downloading. The videos will then be ready to watch offline, but only inside the Hulu app.
- Remember the catches: Downloads expire after 30 days (or just 48 hours after you start watching!). And you can't copy the files anywhere else.
If you are a Hulu No Ads plan user, and you've got an iPad/iPhone, Android device, or Amazon Fire Tablet, then here are the simple steps to download Hulu shows using their app.
Log in to your Hulu No Ads Plan
Hulu’s download thing works on iOS, Android, and Windows 10 devices. So, open the Hulu app on one of those devices or tablets and sign into your account.
Pick the video you want to download
Go find the show or movie you're after. If you see the download button (that downward arrow), click it. It might ask where to save it. Then just let it do its thing and download.
Wait a bit for the download to finish
How long it takes? Depends on how long the show is, obviously. But usually, it doesn't take too long.
Now, this feature is handy sometimes, but yeah, there are those annoying Hulu download limitations. Like, maybe some shows can only be downloaded on certain phones, or only if you're in a specific country. Also, the downloaded stuff? Usually, you can only watch it inside the Hulu app itself. You can't just copy the file over to your computer or another video player.
And if you look for that download button and can't find it for a specific show? Could be a couple of reasons. Maybe Hulu just doesn't allow downloads for that particular show (like maybe stuff from those Premium Add-ons often can't be downloaded). Or, it could be your device just doesn't meet whatever requirements Hulu has for downloads.
Method 2: Download Hulu Videos with StreamFab [Works with Any Plan]
- Hulu's official limit: Nope, Hulu won't let you download onto Windows or Mac computers directly.
- How to get around it: Use something like StreamFab Hulu Downloader. It saves Hulu shows onto your PC/Mac as normal MP4/MKV files.
- Why that's better: You can get 1080p/4K quality, the files never expire, no ads are included, and you can copy them anywhere.
Okay, so the official app? It's a decent choice, sure. But I ran into annoying limits with Hulu's own download feature sometimes. That's when helper tools can give you more freedom and maybe do things the app can't.
For example, doesn't matter if you have the basic Hulu plan (with ads) or the ad-free one. With StreamFab, you can actually rip Hulu videos in full HD. Kinda saves you money if you were thinking of upgrading just for downloads. Plus, StreamFab lets you download way more – up to 100 Hulu videos a day, they say. And the best part? All those downloads will be totally ad-free.
1. Tool Required: StreamFab Hulu Downloader
Effortlessly download shows and movies from Hulu in 1080p/4k quality and EAC3 5.1 audio track without quality loss and save on your device without expiration.
- Lossless download of Hulu videos in up to 1080p and even 4k stunning resolution.
- Download Hulu videos to MP4 or MKV format for more flexible playback.
- Schedule mode to download newly released episodes from Hulu at a set time automatically.
- Download subtitles and audio of the language you prefer to watch.
- Remove ads from the downloaded Hulu shows, even if you are a basic plan member.
- Batch mode to add multiple Hulu videos to the tasks queue to save your time.
2. Operation Steps
Choose the Hulu icon from the menu
Find the Hulu icon, log in to your Hulu account, and search for the video you want to download.
Customize the Download Format
When you play the video, a pop-up window will ask for your video options. You can choose the audio and subtitle language.
Click the download button
Click Download Now or add it to the Queue. The chosen Hulu videos will be downloaded on your local soon, and the file will be in universal MP4/MKv format, which can be transferred to another device easily.
- Although Hulu is capable of streaming videos in 4K quality, its official download method typically only supports a maximum resolution of 1080P. However, with StreamFab, you can even download Hulu videos in breathtaking 4K quality, which is truly impressive and highly recommended.
- Of course, StreamFab is not the only Hulu video downloader on the market. We have conducted a detailed evaluation and comparative analysis of the top Hulu downloaders. For details, see: best Hulu downloaders review
Hulu Official Download vs. StreamFab Hulu Downloader
Below is the radar chart comparing Hulu Official Download and StreamFab Hulu Downloader. The scores (1–5) are based on a qualitative assessment of each dimension, where 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest, reflecting the relative performance of each method. You can compare the 2 methods and choose the one that suits you best.
Quick Comparison
- Device: Hulu app (mobile only) vs. StreamFab (Windows & Mac)
- Format: Protected files vs. MP4/MKV transferable files
- Validity: Official downloads expire vs. StreamFab files never expire
- Quality: Hulu app up to 1080p vs. StreamFab up to 1080p/4K
- Extras: StreamFab supports batch mode, subtitles, multiple audio, and removes ads
| Features | Hulu Official Downloads | StreamFab Hulu Downloader |
|---|---|---|
| PC download | Windows | Windows, Mac |
| Download limits | Not all Hulu videos can be downloaded | All Hulu videos can be downloaded |
| Format compatibility | Protected format | MP4/MKV format |
| Transferability | Restricted | Transfer to any device |
| Video Quality | 1080p | 1080p/4k |
Common Download Issues & Quick Fixes
- No download button? The title may not support downloads, or your device/region is not eligible.
- Cannot transfer to another device? Official downloads are locked; consider Method 2 for MP4/MKV.
- Premium Add-ons unavailable? These titles are not allowed for offline download; use a downloader instead.
- Downloads expired? Expiration is built in; only StreamFab files stay permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hulu even let you download on PC?
Nah, Hulu doesn't let you download stuff onto your PC directly. If you want to save Hulu shows on your Windows computer or Mac, you gotta use a different tool, something like StreamFab Hulu Downloader.
ADo those Hulu downloads actually expire?
Yep, they sure do. After a certain amount of time, they just stop working. If a show expires, you have to download it again inside their app.
ACan I transfer Hulu downloads to another device?
No, official downloads stay locked in the app. With StreamFab, you can save them as transferable MP4/MKV files.
AIs 4K download possible?
Hulu’s app usually maxes at 1080p, but StreamFab supports 1080p and 4K.
ACan I remove ads from Hulu downloads?
Yes, but only with StreamFab Downloader. Even basic plan members get ad-free offline files.
AConclusion
Downloading shows and movies from Hulu for offline viewing allows you to have entertainment readily available, even if you don't have an internet connection. This easy-to-follow guide will quickly get you started on downloading your preferred content. To fully enjoy Hulu videos offline without worrying about expiration, StreamFab Hulu Downloader can be your best option.
