What are Amazon Prime Video Download Limits and What to do 2025
Summary: Learn how to easily download Amazon Prime videos for offline viewing. Step-by-step guide on how to manage download limits in 2025. Find out more here.
Prime Video loyalist here? Then you’ve probably smacked into those pesky download caps while trying to stash movies and episodes for later. Annoying, right—especially when all you want is to watch on a plane, a train, or somewhere with Wi-Fi that goes poof. The limits can make offline viewing weirdly harder than it should be. Still, breathe. There are practical workarounds to squeeze more value from downloads and keep your queue ready.
In this post, we’ll walk through what Prime Video allows (and blocks), why the rules exist, and several sensible ways to navigate—or gently outsmart—them.
My Download Story (Official App)
The day I subscribed to Prime, I set out to preload a few episodes on my iPhone using the official Prime Video app.
After signing in, I started configuring my download preferences. On the title page, I kept the original English audio and added German as an extra track. However, I discovered that you can only select one additional audio language at a time, which might be a bit limiting for multilingual learners.
For subtitles, I chose English, then customized the caption style at the iOS system level—larger font and a dark background make late-night viewing easier.
I tested with episodes for around 45–50 minutes each. This table is my little “download cheat sheet.” For similar-length episodes, I wanted to see how quality, audio tracks, and real-world download speed change the file size.
|
Video Duration
|
Quality
|
Audio Options
|
File Size | Reason for the Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ① ≈ 50 min |
Good
|
EN + DE
|
189 MB | Lower quality with dual audio tracks; video is more heavily compressed and audio accounts for a slightly larger share. |
| ② ≈ 50min |
Best
|
EN + DE
|
223 MB | Higher quality plus dual audio tracks; video bitrate is ~15–20% higher, plus the extra size of the second track. |
| ③≈ 50 min |
Best
|
EN only | 182 MB | Highest quality but single audio track; overall about 18% smaller than ②. |
On home Wi-Fi, each episode finished in 3–5 minutes, which I think is a fast speed. In practice, I found a given “quality tier” isn’t a fixed bitrate: darker or action-heavy scenes take more space, while bright or animated content compresses better, so file sizes can swing by about ±15%. On a phone, Better/Good already looks solid; I switch to Best only when I care about fine detail or plan to watch on a larger screen.
Overall, the offline flow felt smooth at first; but as my use cases expanded, the rough edges started to show. I’ll be honest: I’m not great with fine print, and the more I used Prime Video, the more confused I got. One day the download icon is there, the next day it’s gone. During a delayed red-eye, an “about to expire” alert popped up on a title I’d saved for the flight. On the subway, I tried grabbing two more episodes and got hit with a “you’ve reached the limit” message. Back home, I attempted to cast a downloaded copy to the TV and the app shut it down. After a few rounds of this, I’d had enough—I decide to know what the download limits actually are: what’s eligible to download, how long files last, how many slots I really have, where downloads can (and can’t) play, what changes when I travel, and how streaming concurrency differs from download rules. Next, I’m laying out the plain-English version of the official limits so I can stop guessing and start using offline the right way.
The Official Download Limits Explained
Limit 1. Not All Prime Videos Can be Downloaded
You might see that some movies and TV shows in the Prime Video app include a download option and others do not. This is because the owners of the content and the licensing agreements decide whether or not downloads are available.
If you want to know if you can download an Amazon Prime video, just look for the download icon next to the title. You may quickly download Prime videos to view later if the icon is there. If the icon is not there, though, it signifies that the item can't be downloaded to watch later.
Several different reasons lead to this download restriction:
- The license agreement does not allow downloading
- The video is not compatible with the device you are using for downloading
- Although you have subscribed to Amazon Prime, downloading videos is only possible through purchasing or renting them
- The video is not available for offline viewing in your country/region
For instance, on my iPhone, I also struggled to find clear entry points for Rent/Buy titles and for browsing Prime Video Channels inside the app. I also checked the official forum and found earlier threads from users reporting the same issue; as of November 2025, I still haven’t seen a clear fix or improvement on my side. Availability and placement can vary by marketplace/region and app version, which explains why some users (and I) still don’t see an obvious path.
I understand this is a frustrating situation, but there's no way around it. To watch the content you want, you might have to reluctantly choose streaming online, or see if there are other tools that allow us to watch Amazon Prime video offline.
Limit 2: 48 Hours/30 Days Expiration
When it comes to Amazon Prime Video download limits, one key factor to consider is the time expiration limit. Users can choose to download content (both the subscribed content and rented movies on Amazon) for offline viewing for either 48 hours or 30 days, depending on the title.
The 30-day limit allows users to download a title and keep it on their device for up to 30 days without starting playback Once playback of the downloaded Prime video has begun, you will have 48 hours to finish watching the title before it expires. Honestly, that turns watching videos—something that should be relaxing—into keeping an eye on the clock. I end up doing mental math about what expires when, which is distracting and a bit exhausting.
Limit 3: Maximum 15-25 Titles Can be Downloaded
Amazon Prime has also established rules for the number of downloads. Depending on your location, Amazon will allow you to download a varying number of videos at one time, ranging from 15 to 25. Therefore, once you have reached this limit by continuously downloading Amazon Prime videos, you will be unable to download more unless you first delete some existing downloads.
When Amazon Prime notifies you that you have reached the download limit and requests you to delete some downloaded content before saving these new videos, you can access the "Manage Your Content" and device page. Under the "Devices" tab, you will find a list of devices or applications connected to your account. You can choose the location and quantity of items to delete.
Limit 4: DRM/Compatibility & Regional Availability
One of the most important Amazon Prime Video limits relates to DRM-based compatibility and regional licensing. The Amazon videos downloaded can only be viewed on the Amazon Prime application, and you cannot watch them through other players or transfer the videos to other devices. It may seem inconsequential, but Amazon restricts users to playing content on a limited number of devices:
- You can only download Prime videos for offline playback on up to 4 devices.
- The same video can only be played instantly on no more than 2 devices.
- You can watch Amazon Prime videos on up to 3 different devices simultaneously.
Therefore, if you have more than one device or wish to share your account with friends, this limitation truly impacts the user experience.
Besides, sometimes, certain shows or movies are only available for download in specific regions due to licensing agreements. If you have downloaded such videos, but due to travel or other reasons, you find yourself outside the designated region for a specific video or program, your download will not be accessible.
Although I understand that regional licensing can sometimes block playback of something I downloaded at home, it always seems to happen when I need offline viewing the most—on flights or in hotel Wi-Fi dead zones. It’s deflating: I planned ahead, used the official app, and somehow I still can’t press play.
Limit 5: Downloaded Video Quality
Official downloads are mobile-optimized with lower bitrates than streaming. At the same runtime, “Best” is about ~200MB per 50 min, roughly 540p–720p (or 720p with heavier compression), so fine textures are smoothed. In my experience, this looks perfectly fine on a phone, but on a tablet or laptop I start to notice softness and banding; I wish there were a “higher-bitrate” or “original quality” download option.
Offline files are SDR only. Even if the source is HDR10/Dolby Vision, the download is delivered as H.264 + SDR. On bright daytime scenes this is okay, but dark or high-contrast shots lose that pop and shadow detail—I’d love to see an HDR (or at least 10-bit SDR) download tier for supported devices.
You can’t choose audio codecs (AAC/EAC3/Atmos) when downloading; the server ships a pre-packaged DRM bundle, typically AAC-LC stereo (2.0). That’s fine for earbuds, yet it underuses a soundbar or surround setup; ideally, I could pick EAC3 5.1 or Atmos, and keep multiple language tracks without blowing up file size.
Limit 6: Subtitle Selection
Prime Video’s official downloads have a clear cap: apart from the source language, you can include only one additional subtitle language in the offline package. For me—learning German and Chinese—that means I can switch between DE and ZH while offline, but I can’t also keep EN as a third fallback. If I want another language, I have to delete and re-download a different combo, which is frustrating on planes and subways when I most need flexibility.
Note:
I do see the logic here: Prime Video has to honor studio licensing—territories, release windows, time-bound rights—and a “download” is really a temporary offline license. That’s why there are 30-day/48-hour timers and device/concurrency caps to discourage redistribution. Keeping playback inside the official app preserves the DRM chain of trust (and keeps audio/subtitles/quality under licensed control). Caps on total downloads and no casting of downloaded files help prevent bulk scraping and keep costs and risk manageable. Regional behavior while traveling reflects legal and licensing boundaries, not just product design. In short, it’s a balance of copyright, compliance, and cost versus convenience.
I still get frustrated, but I accept the trade-off and focus on what I can control.
What to Do When You Hit the Limits
Before resorting to "unconventional" methods, you can get a lot more out of the system using a few smart tricks. These methods are what I use most of the time:
Tip 1: Plan Smart for Trips and Commutes
It sounds simple, but it's highly effective. For a long trip, I use a "download rotation" strategy. Before a flight, I might download the first 5 episodes of a season. Once I'm at my hotel with Wi-Fi, I'll delete the episodes I've watched and download the next 5. This way, my 25-title limit acts like a rolling buffer, and I always have something new to watch.
Tip 2: Use the Official Desktop Apps
Many people don't realize that Amazon offers official Prime Video apps for both Windows and macOS. You can find them in your computer's app store. These apps allow you to download content directly to your laptop, just like on your phone. It's the perfect official solution for those who want to watch on a bigger screen.
Here are the step-by-step guides I used to download videos with the official app on different devices:
PC / Mobile: How to Download Amazon Prime Video to PC/Mobile: No Error Issues
Tip 3: Adjust Download Quality to Save Space
Your device’s storage is a sneaky limit. One 1080p movie can gobble 2–3GB, poof. In the Prime Video app, open Settings > Streaming & Downloading > Download Quality, then drop it from “Best” to “Better” or “Good.” The picture takes a tiny hit—barely noticeable on a phone—but you free up a ton of room, which means more titles, more flights, less deleting.
Tip 4: Auto-Download New Episodes & Auto-Delete Watched
Prime Video’s mobile and macOS apps support Auto Downloads for shows and auto-delete watched episodes. Enable them in Downloads or Settings → Stream & Download. The app fetches the next episode over Wi-Fi and removes finished ones, freeing storage and keeping you within the download-slot limit. You can cap how many upcoming episodes stay preloaded, and using a lower Download Quality extends space further. This “rolling buffer” is great for travel: watch what’s on the device, let the app clear it, then refresh the queue on reliable Wi-Fi. Menu names and availability may vary by region/version; use the official app.
When the Official Features Fall Short: Third-Party Tool
Good news: there are a handful of clever tweaks to slip past the limits and keep your favorite shows and movies offline for travel, commutes, or spotty Wi-Fi. I do not promote or provide methods that circumvent DRM or violate Prime Video’s Usage Rules. I just offer my solution to help you improve your personal offline viewing.
Tool required: StreamFab Amazon Downloader
Manage these Amazon Prime video limits easily and download your favorite movies and TV shows from Prime video in original lossless 1080P resolution and save in MP4/MKV format for flexible playback.
I compared the download experience of the official Prime Video app and StreamFab Amazon Downloader, so the differences are easy to see at a glance.
| Feature | ✅ Official App Download | 🦥StreamFab Amazon Downloader |
|---|---|---|
| Expiration | Yes (48 hours / 30 days) | Never |
| File Format | DRM-Protected | Universal MP4/MKV |
| Playback | Prime Video App Only | Any Device (PC, TV, NAS) |
| Quantity | Max 25 Titles | Unlimited |
| Account Risk | Zero Risk | Very Low |
| Cost | Included with Prime | Additional Software Cost |
Note (my perspective): I’m sharing this comparison to clarify differences, not to endorse non-official methods. I default to the official app because it’s the safest, simplest route. But when the official app can’t meet my offline needs, I’ve tested StreamFab to see if it improves the experience.
Steps to Download Amazon Prime Videos without Limitations
Note: For a concise guide to managing the StreamFab download limit and keeping your account healthy, see a video about StreamFab Pro Tips: 4 Habits for a Smoother Downloading Experience.
FAQ
A: You can download a single purchased video on up to four compatible devices.
A: Not with the official app. All official downloads have an expiration date. To save videos permanently, the official software won’t do the job for now, so the only option is to consider other routes—e.g., a third-party downloader.
Conclusion
Upon completing the reading of this article, you have gained insight into the offline viewing download limitations of Amazon Prime. In such a scenario, StreamFab Amazon Downloader will be of assistance, as it offers a professional solution to eliminate these restrictions and allows you to rip Amazon videos in MP4 and retain downloaded videos permanently. Enjoy unrestricted access at any time, enhancing your Amazon video viewing experience.
Note (Safety & Legality): The third-party tool StreamFab is safe to use. As long as you download videos solely for personal offline viewing, your actions are legal. So rest assured.
