TL;DR: Officially, you can download select Discovery+ videos if you’re an Ad-Free subscriber using mobile devices. But it remains an expiration, with devices being incompatible and regionally unavailable because Discovery Plus uses DRM. There are two frequently discussed solutions to overcome DRM: third-party downloaders and screen recording tools. From a practical standpoint, third-party downloaders like KeepStreams emerge as the superior, more reliable choice.
Discovery Plus aggregates shows from HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, Animal Planet, OWN TV Network, and more. The official rules for discovery plus download offline are strict. The download feature is exclusive to the Ad-Free plan and appears only on supported mobile apps. Desktop and most TV apps stream but do not store offline files.
Ad-Free subscribers keep asking me how to download on Discovery Plus without hidden limits. In this article, I’ll explain official features first, break down the Discovery Plus Ad-Free plan download limitations, and show you exactly how to adjust video quality for downloaded Discovery Plus content, as well as navigate device-specific workarounds and troubleshoot DRM-related errors, such as the persistent DRM-6007.
I’ll also provide a detailed comparison of official download functions, third-party downloaders, and screen recording tools.
CONTENT:
How to download Discovery Plus video on Mobile Devices with the Ad-Free plan?
What are the DRM & Discovery+ Ad-Free Plan Download Limits?
Troubleshooting: How to Fix Discovery+ DRM Errors?
Which third-party Discovery Plus download solutions should you choose?
(Must Read) How to download Discovery Plus without limitations?
Can You Download Videos on Discovery Plus?
Often, yes. The download function is available only for the ad-free plan priced at $8.99 per month, but not every program carries offline rights. Downloads are documented for iPhones and iPads on iOS 13 or later, Android phones and tablets on Android 5.1 or later, and Amazon Fire tablets on Fire OS 5.0 or later. That is where Discovery Plus downloads are officially supported today. TV and desktop apps are streaming environments.
How to Download Discovery Plus on Mobile Devices?
Quick Note: Open the app➡️Sign in➡️Search for the show➡️Tap the down arrow to save it.
The download files sit under Downloads. If you rely on mobile data, enable the cellular toggle inside settings.
Since there is an official app of Discovery Plus on mobile devices (Android/iOS), you can directly download your favorite TV shows through it.
To begin with, please make sure that you've subscribed to the Discovery Plus ad-free plan and that the latest version of the Discovery+ app is installed on your device. Then, follow these detailed steps to download shows on your mobile device:
- Launch the Discovery+ app.
- Sign in to your own account (with subscription);
- Browse and search for the shows you want to download.
- Find the download icon (arrow down) on the detail page of the show;
- Tap the download button, and the videos will be downloaded soon.
Bonus: Make Discovery Plus Download Settings
Discovery Plus Download Quality Settings
Before downloading, you can set the image quality you want to download in advance. Go to Profile → Settings → Download Settings → Video Quality and choose the level that fits your storage and plan.
For travel, select a balanced preset so a weekend fits on one device. Subtitles and audio tracks appear on the details screen before you confirm. You can choose the language that suits your viewing.
Subtitles, Captions, and Audio Track Behaviour
Most titles expose captions in the player after download, and some also offer multiple dubs. If captions are essential, start one episode at home to confirm the language travels with the file. When unsure, keep a second track so you can switch if the default fails offline.
Manage Storage and Renewals
When a title shows "Expired," tap it and select "Renew Download." Renewal works only while rights allow it and your plan remains active. If your subscription ends, access to downloaded content ends, even if items appear in the list. I often use Downloads → Manage to delete watched items.
What are the DRM & Discovery+ Ad-Free Plan Download Limits?
DRM Explanation
DRM is the lock that enforces the Discovery+ license windows. In practice, it controls how long downloads remain playable, how many devices can watch at once, and what happens when a license request fails. When you see a “DRM” error, the app is flagging a licensing or device-level block, not a random glitch.
Discovery Plus Official Downloads: Limits, Expiry, and Renewals
|
Option |
Supported Platforms |
Quality & subs |
Expiration |
Notes |
|
Official Discovery+ app |
|
Adjustable in Download Settings |
|
|
Discovery Plus also enforces a ceiling near 100 downloadable titles. If the down arrow is missing on an episode page, that item is stream-only for your plan or region.
Offline files usually play because the license sits locally. Avoid going online in a different region until you finish all episodes, which prevents the app from refreshing rights and blocking renewals mid-trip.
Unplayed items usually remain for about thirty days. Once a download starts playing, it expires within 48 hours. Media coverage at launch documented a ~30-day window for unplayed titles and noted that many expired items can be renewed in the Downloads tab after you reconnect.
Troubleshooting: How to Fix Discovery+ DRM Errors?
When Discovery+ shows an error with the “DRM” prefix, it often traces to device age, HDMI/HDCP issues, region limits, or time sync. The fix is usually mundane: update the app, reboot, and test playback without a problematic HDMI path. This mirrors Discovery’s own guidance.
If you see DRM-6007, it maps to LICENSE_REQUEST_FAILED in Shaka Player. Network glitches, blocked license servers, or invalid session keys can trigger it. Try a different network, disable VPN, sign out and back in, then retry the same title. Community reports and player docs support this path.
DRM-6007 (License Request Failed)
This code points to a license call that did not complete. Switch networks, disable VPN, confirm date and time sync, and sign out and back in to refresh session keys. When HDMI gear is connected, HDCP can fail silently; unplug adapters, test on the device screen, and retry. You can also try DRM removal software.
Black Screen, Audio-only, or HDMI/HDCP Failures
Black screens with audio suggest an HDCP block. Removing dongles and rebooting clears this on older tablets. If you see generic DRM prefixes, treat them as license or device errors and update the app and OS before another attempt.
Cache Conflicts and Stuck Renewals
When renewals loop, clear the app cache and briefly toggle airplane mode. After reconnecting, the Renew button often succeeds. If it still fails, that title likely lost rights or your account reached a limit. Try a different episode and confirm the download icon is present.
Third-party Discovery Plus Downloader vs. Screen Recorder
I’ve outlined the main errors and practical steps to work around them, but as robust as these fixes can be, they don’t truly eliminate the underlying constraints. Two approaches tend to dominate the conversation: using third-party downloaders or relying on screen recording tools. There’s also a growing ecosystem of open-source solutions, each with its own pros and cons. In the following section, I’ll walk you through a practical comparison of these methods.
Testing Result
After extensive tests across all the major options, the realities quickly become clear:
| Tools | Third-Party Downloader (e.g., KeepStreams for Discovery Plus Downloader) |
Screen Recorder (e.g., Audials One) | yt-dlp & similar |
| Platform | Windows/macOS | Windows/macOS | Desktop CLI |
| Quality & Subs |
|
|
Depends on the video. |
| Expiration | Local files don't auto-expire | Don't auto-expire | N/A |
| PC/Mac Transfer |
✔️
|
✔️
|
N/A |
| MP4/MKV Output |
✔️
|
✔️
|
N/A |
| Other Features |
|
Upscaling video quality up to 4K |
N/A |
| Note |
Only for personal use |
|
|
| *If you try a PC tool anyway, read the service terms where you live. In the U.S., 17 U.S.C. §1201 prohibits circumvention and trafficking in circumvention tools, and Discovery’s visitor agreements reserve robust anti-circumvention rights. Understanding that risk is part of informed choice. | |||
In my judgment, third-party downloaders, like KeepStreams for Discovery Plus, are the strongest solution for truly downloading Discovery Plus videos.
In contrast, using screen recorder like Audials One to capture Discovery Plus streams is not always reliable. They are much better suited for tasks like video editing or content repurposing, where capturing snippets or commentary is more important than simple archiving.
Then there are open-source tools such as yt-dlp and similar command-line projects. Most cannot access or decrypt protected Discovery Plus streams due to enhanced DRM protections. It also requires both programming knowledge and significant patience. For non-developers or those simply seeking to watch shows offline, these tools are more trouble than they’re worth.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough on Desktop (KeepStreams)
Follow these simple steps and do it easily with KeepStreams:
- Download and install KeepStreams for Discovery Plus on your computer.
- Access KeepStreams, navigate to VIP Services > Discovery Plus, and log in to your Discovery Plus account.
- Find the video you wish to download and review the video, audio, and subtitle settings.
- Click Download Now for an immediate download or Add to Queue for later downloading.
FAQs
Q1. How to download on Discovery Plus?
A1. Open the app, tap the down arrow on an eligible episode, and find it under Downloads. Set Video Quality first so the trip fits on your device. To overcome these restrictions and download your favorite Discovery+ content on computers, it's recommended to use a third-party tool such as KeepStreams for Discovery Plus.
Q2. Can you download shows on Discovery Plus?
A2. Yes, with Ad-Free, but not every title is eligible, and your account caps out near one hundred downloadable items. With KeepStream, you can download all Discovery Plus videos that you have permission to watch.
Q3. How long do Discovery Plus offline downloads last?
A3. About thirty days unplayed and forty-eight hours after you start a title. Many shows can be renewed in-app when rights allow it. KeepStream can help you download videos to MP4 format and save them permanently.
Q4. Can I watch Discovery Plus on the Prime Video channel?
A4. If you subscribed to Discovery Plus through Prime Video Channels, downloads live in the Prime Video app under Amazon’s rules. That subscription does not unlock downloads inside the Discovery Plus app. It is a separate ecosystem with different eligibility and renewal behavior.
Q5. Can I watch Discovery Plus on Chromebook or Samsung/LG Smart TV?
A5. Phones and tablets are the official path. If you prefer a TV screen, download to your phone first, then watch offline and later cast your online streams when you reconnect. Subscriptions sold as Prime Video Channels use the Prime Video app, which is a different platform with its own download rules.
Fire TV and most Smart TVs do not store Discovery Plus downloads. If a big screen is a must, watch offline on your phone, then reconnect later and cast streams to TV. On Chromebook, the Android app may install on supported models; downloads still follow mobile rules and device storage, so plan space and battery.
Q6. Why is the Discovery Plus download icon missing?
A6. Typical causes include an ad-supported plan, programs without offline rights, outdated app versions, or regional licensing. Updating the app and signing out and back in often restores icons that vanished after switching Wi-Fi or SIM cards.
Key takeaways
Discovery Plus is a good choice if you prefer documentaries, TV shows, and films of various genres. Although it provides an official app, it's only available for mobile devices. No worries! You can still use KeepStreams to download DRM-protected content on Discovery Plus.
In this way, you can feel free to download your favorite titles on Discovery Plus on Windows PC or Mac. KeepStreams now offers a free trial for 3 full downloads in 1080p. If you're searching for a third-party tool, give it a shot.