[PC & Android] How to Save Disney Plus Download to External Storage?

Last month, I was trying to download all the essential Star Wars and Marvel movies, but soon I realized my storage was critically low. When I tried moving Disney Plus files to my external SD card, I couldn't find the downloaded files.

If you're facing that "Storage Full" problem like me, you might also feel angry and confused about the encrypted, inaccessible Disney Plus downloads. Is clearing up our phone the only way to download more titles from Disney Plus? I don't accept it. And that's the reason why I wrote this post and showed you my exploration of changing the download location and controlling my download storage.

How Much Space Does Disney Plus Actually Need?

Before we try to move files around, let's look at the math. Why is our phone filling up so fast? Disney Plus allows three video quality settings: Standard, Medium, and High. Most of us leave it on "High" by default because we paid for those pixels, right? But that comes at a high cost to your internal storage.

I crunched the numbers based on the latest bitrate estimates. Use this "GB per Hour" Calculator to plan your storage:

Kenneth

If you are watching on a 6-inch phone screen, you honestly don't need the "High" setting. Switching to "Medium" can triple your storage capacity instantly without looking pixelated.

Where is The Disney Plus Download Location?

When we download a bunch of movies on Disney Plus, where exactly do they go? In fact, we CAN find the downloaded files (on Android), but it's meaningless.

If you connect your phone to a computer and search for "Star Wars.mp4," you won't find it. This is because the Disney Plus app does not save a standard video file that you can play anywhere. Because of DRM (Digital Rights Management), all downloads are encrypted.

• For iPhone (iOS): You are strictly locked out. Apple's "Sandbox" system prevents you (and any other app) from seeing or accessing these files.
• For Android: You can actually find the location, but you can't open the files. They are typically buried here: Internal Storage > Android > Data > com.disney.disneyplus > files > Download.

If you connect the Android phone to a PC, it's easier to visit the folder. But these downloaded videos look like random data files, not movie files. For more information, read Disney Plus Download Location.

Kenneth

Disney Plus app creates an encrypted, proprietary file hidden deep inside your phone's system folders, known as the "internal app cache." These downloaded files are split into unreadable data chunks that only the official Disney+ app can reassemble and play.

Change Download Location Method 1: Get MP4 Files with KeepStreams

If you're a r/DataHoarder member like me, this is the best way to change the download location of Disney Plus. Although the official Disney+ app refuses to save playable video files to an external USB drive, we can use KeepStreams for Disney Plus to directly save the original videos in MP4 format.

KeepStreams is a dedicated tool to bridge the gap between the stream and your hard drive. It can directly DOWNLOAD the original videos in 1080p or 4K, and convert them to standard MP4/MKV files automatically. So that we can move the downloads to any storage device.

KeepStreams for Disney Plus

Save 1080p/4K videos from Disney Plus in MP4/MKV format.

• High Quality: Up to 720p, 1080p and 4K
• Audio Support: Atmos, EAC3 5.1, and AAC 2.0
• Video Codec: Use H264, H265 to save more space
• MP4/MKV Format: Automatic conversion
• Ad-Removal: Detect and remove all commercials
• Subtitles Saving: Extract subtitles in SRT files
• Language Support: Save subs and audio in various languages
• Schedule Download: Save the newly added episodes automatically
• Free Trial: 3 free downloads in 30 days

 Free Trial  Free Trial

Learn More

With KeepStreams, we can save the Disney Plus videos in a compatible format and move them to any external HDD, USB stick, or NAS server for true storage freedom (no more worries about expiration). To use Keepstreams download Disney Plus videos, follow these steps:

Install and open KeepStreams. Go to Settings > General > Download Directory. Choose your external storage device connected to the PC.

Back to Home. Click on "VIP Services" on the left side, go to the official site of Disney Plus, and log in to your Disney Plus account within the KeepStreams browser.

After logging in to your own account, play the videos you want to download, and KeepStreams will analyze them automatically. When the download options pop up, select your preferred video quality, audio, subtitles, and other options.

All downloaded videos will be saved in MP4 video files in the folder you set before. You can go to the "Downloaded" section to find them and locate the files saved on your PC. And move the Disney Plus downloads to USB or other storage devices.

Video Tutorial:

Why do I prefer using KeepStreams? Check the comparison. It's the best way to download Disney Plus videos on Mac and Windows PC:

If you're a Mac user like me, you'll also think KeepStreams is the most stable and "Mac-like" of the group. Movpilot was the fastest, but its interface was cluttered. Kigo is a long-standing option, but it felt less reliable in my batch test.

Change Download Location Method 2: Change to SD Card on Android Phone

If you are an Android user, you have a superpower that iPhone users don't: the microSD card slot. This is the only official way to expand your Disney Plus download storage without buying a new phone.

How to Change Disney Plus Download Location?

Remember what we discussed in the previous section: This is for the encrypted cache only. You can't take this SD card out and put it in your laptop to watch the movies. It must stay in the phone. It just allows you to download more titles via the Disney Plus app.

Here are the detailed steps:

Make sure that the SD card is placed in the device you are currently using. Select the "Profile icon" in the lower right corner and click "App Settings".

In the App Settings. You will see the download location (internal storage or external storage). Tickle the External storage option to change the download location.

Kennex

You will see exactly how much free space you have on both drives right in this menu. If the numbers look wrong, your card might need re-seating.

Common Troubleshooting: Why is "External Storage" Greyed Out?

I see this question all the time on forums: "I bought a 128GB card, but Disney+ won't let me select it!" If the "External Storage" option is greyed out or missing, it is usually one of these three technical hiccups:

Android allows you to format an SD card as either "Portable Storage" (for moving files) or "Internal Storage" (to extend app space). Disney+ sometimes struggles to recognize cards formatted as "Internal."

To fix the problem, reformat the card as Portable Storage in your phone's settings.

2. Permission Denied:

The Disney Plus app might doesn't have permission to write to external drives. Go to your phone's Settings > Apps > Disney+ > Permissions and ensure "Storage" or "Files and Media" is allowed.

3. The Card is Corrupt or Slow:

A generic, unbranded Class 4 card might be too slow for high-bitrate video writing. I recommend a Class 10 or UHS-I card from a reputable brand, such as Samsung.

Quick Comparison of the 2 Methods to Change Download Location

Should I stick to the official app or use a third-party tool? I use both, but for different reasons:

• Official App: To catch up on shows during my commute.
• KeepStreams: To build a permanent library on my media server (Plex/Jellyfin) without worrying about DRM expiration.

Summary

Storage management doesn't have to be a headache. If you just need a few movies for a road trip, grab an SD card and use the official Android app. But if you are tired of the "Storage Full" notifications and disappearing downloads, moving your collection to an external hard drive with a downloader is the ultimate fix.

Also, since you're here, you might be interested in what are the download limits of Disney Plus.