Quick Answer: You can only download Disney Plus movies to SD card using the official Disney+ app on supported Android and Amazon Fire mobile devices, and only if you subscribe to an ad-free plan (like Disney+ Premium). This feature is not available on laptops, PCs, or iOS devices.
Furthermore, these downloads are DRM-protected and cannot be transferred to other devices. To save permanent MP4 files to an SD card that you can use on any device, you must use a third-party tool like KeepStreams.
I remember when I downloaded Disney Plus videos, I hit the dreaded "internal storage full" warning. I just want to move everything to the 128GB SD card I installed. But I discovered that trying to make the Disney+ app download to an SD card felt way more complicated than it should be.
I've dug through all the official 2025 help center documents, community forums, and Reddit threads to find the real answers. Here's a complete guide on how to do it, why it's not working, and what to do when the official app does not support it.
Official Requirements for Using an SD Card
Note: Only ad-free plans like Disney+ Premium (No Ads) and the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium (No Ads) allow downloads. Ad-supported plans do not support downloads.
The Disney+ app for Windows 10/11 and other computers does not support downloading content for offline viewing, regardless of whether you have an SD card.
If you're already having trouble, there's a 90% chance you're being blocked by one of these three requirements. Let's check them before you try to fix anything.
Check Your Plan: Why "With Ads" Tiers Don't Work
This is the most common and recent issue. In 2024 and 2025, Disney restructured its plans. Many users who used to have the download feature found it suddenly disappeared.
According to the Disney+ Help Center, the ability to download content is only available to subscribers on ad-free plans.
News: Starting this month, specifically after November 20, 2025 for existing subscribers, the cost of Disney Plus is going up. Here is the new pricing structure you need to know:
- Disney+ Basic (With Ads): Increases to $11.99/month.
- Disney+ Premium (No Ads): Jumps to $18.99/month.
These Plans Support Downloads:
- Disney+ Premium (No Ads)
- Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium (No Ads)
These Plans DO NOT Support Downloads:
- Disney+ (With Ads)
- Disney+, Hulu Bundle (With Ads)
If you are on an ad-free plan and "downgrade" to a plan with ads to save money, any and all movies and shows you have previously downloaded will be removed from your device.
Check Your Device: Android & Fire Tablets Only (No Laptops)
This is the second major hurdle. You might have an SD card slot on your Windows laptop, but it doesn't matter. The official Disney+ app only supports downloading on supported mobile devices. This includes:
- Android phones and tablets
- Amazon Fire tablets
The Disney+ Help Center is very clear that you cannot download content on a TV-connected device, a computer, or a Windows 10 & 11 tablet. If you're trying to do this on a laptop, you can try an extra tool such as KeepStreams to help you.
Check Your SD Card: Formatting (Portable vs. Internal Storage)
This is a technical trap, especially for Amazon Fire tablet users. When you insert a new SD card, Android/Fire OS asks if you want to format it as "Portable Storage" or "Internal Storage."
- Internal Storage: This "adopts" the card and makes it part of the tablet's main storage. This sounds great, but it often causes conflicts with apps trying to find a separate storage location.
- Portable Storage: This keeps the SD card as a distinct, separate drive. This is what you want.
Community forums for Kindle Fire users frequently report that the Disney+ app will only recognize the SD card as a download location if it is formatted as "Portable Storage". If you formatted it as "Internal Storage," you may need to back up any data, reformat the card as "Portable," and try again.
Use the Official Disney+ App to Download to SD Card (Android & Fire)
Note: Unwatched downloads last for 30 days, as long as you connect to the internet at least once in that period. However, once you press play, a new 48-hour timer starts, and you must finish watching within that time.
If you've checked the requirements and you have the right plan, the right device, and a properly formatted SD card, the process is simple. You must be in the main Adult Profile on the device to do this. This setting is often unavailable in a Kid's Profile, which we'll cover in the Troubleshooting section.
Step-by-Step: Changing Your Download Location
- Make sure your SD card is properly inserted into your Android or Fire device.
- Launch the Disney+ app and log in to your profile.
- Tap on your Profile icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Select "App Settings" from the menu.
- Look for the "Download Location" option under the "Downloads" section.
- Tap it and change the selection from "Internal Storage" to "External Storage" (or "SD Card").
Official App Limitations & Expiry Rules
This is where the "solution" starts to fall apart for many people. Just because you can download to the SD card doesn't mean you have full control. These files are not yours. You are just renting them offline.
The "48-Hour" & "30-Day" Expiry Rules
This is the most critical and least understood limitation. You are up against two different expiry clocks.
- The 30-Day "Check-In" Rule: Your device must connect to the internet at least once every 30 days. This allows the app to "call home" and verify that your subscription is still active. If you go on a long trip and don't connect to Wi-Fi for 31 days, all your downloads will be automatically deleted.
- The 48-Hour "Playback" Rule: Once you press play on a downloaded title for the first time, you have only 48 hours to finish watching it before that specific download expires.
Why You Can't Transfer Downloads (DRM Explained)
When the Disney+ app "downloads" a movie, it's not saving a simple MP4 video file. It's saving an encrypted file protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM).
This "locked box" means:
- The files can only be played inside the Disney+ app.
- The files are tied to the specific device that downloaded them.
- You cannot take the SD card out, put it in another tablet or a laptop, and watch the movies.
- If you log out of your Disney+ account or uninstall the app, all downloaded content is immediately deleted.
Not all content on Disney+ is available for download. And while the download to SD card feature is common in North America and Europe, content availability and app rules can vary by region.
Troubleshooting: Why Can't I Download to My SD Card? (The Fixes)
Note: This usually happens for three reasons:
1) You are in an Amazon Kid's Profile
2) Your SD card is formatted as "Internal" instead of "Portable"
3) Your plan is "With Ads" and doesn't support downloads.
This is the section for everyone who tried to use the official Disney+ App to download to SD card and failed. Let's find your exact problem.
Fix Problem of Kid's Profile on Amazon Fire Tablets
Based on community forums, here is the workaround. The Disney+ app appears to only allow one Amazon system profile (the adult profile or the kid profile) to claim the external storage at a time. To make it work in the Kid's Profile, you must first release it from the Adult Profile.
- Log in to the Adult (Parent) Profile on the Fire Tablet.
- Open the Disney+ app.
- Go to Profile > App Settings > Download Location.
- Change the setting from "External Storage" BACK to "Internal Storage." This "releases" the SD card.
- Log out of the Adult Profile and log in to the Kid's Profile.
- Open the Disney+ app within the Kid's Profile.
- Go to App Settings > Download Location. The "External Storage" (SD Card) option should now be available to select.
This fix, first detailed by user matunos on Reddit , solves the problem for most parents. Be warned, some users still report that even when this works, downloads in the Kid's Profile can randomly disappear, possibly due to how Amazon's Freetime system manages storage.
Fix: Download Location Option is Greyed Out
If you're not using a Kid's Profile and the "Download Location" option is greyed out, it's almost certainly one of these issues:
- You're on an Ad-Supported Plan: As mentioned, these plans don't support downloads, so the entire feature is disabled.
- SD Card Not Formatted Correctly: Your device may not see the card as a valid, separate location. Try reformatting it as "Portable Storage".
- Your Device Isn't Supported: You might be on an unsupported or very old Android device that has compatibility issues with the app.
Download & Move Disney Plus Movies to SD Card Permanently with KeepStreams
Considering the limitations of downloading Disney Plus content to a SD card within the official app, seeking to the help of reliable third-party downloaders is necessary. Among various downloaders, KeepStreams for Disney Plus is highly recommended for its comprehensive features.
Unlike the official app, which gives you a temporary, encrypted file, a tool like KeepStreams logs into your Disney+ account (on your computer) and saves the video stream as a common MP4 or MKV file.
| Feature | Official Disney+ App | KeepStreams |
| Download Location | In-app only, on supported Android/Fire SD cards. | Any SD card, PC, or USB drive. |
| File Format | Encrypted, Protected File (Not-transferable). | Standard MP4 / MKV (Fully transferable). |
| Download Expiry | 30 days unwatched, 48 hours after starting. | Downloads are permanent. |
| Device Support | Android & Fire Tablets only. | Windows & Mac (to download), any device (to play). |
| Works with "With Ads" Plan? | No. Requires an ad-free plan. | Yes. Works with any plan and removes ads. |
| Updated in November 2025 by Andrew Oliver | ||
This means:
- The files are permanent. They never expire and don't require an internet check-in.
- The files are transferable. You can copy the MP4 file to any SD card, USB drive, PC, or new tablet.
- It works with any plan. It can download from "With Ads" plans and will even remove the ads from the download.
Using KeepStreams for Disney Plus to download videos can be easy. Follow the steps below to enjoy your high-definition Disney Plus videos offline.
1. Download and install KeepStreams: This step starts by downloading KeepStreams from its official website or by clicking the following button.
2. Log In: Open KeepStreams and log in to your Disney Plus account so that you can access its content.
3. Set Output Location: Before downloading, insert an SD card into your computer and set it as the output folder in KeepStreams settings.
4. Search for Content: Find the video you wish to download by using the built-in browser of KeepStreams.
5. Customize Your Download: Select video quality, audio tracks, and subtitles as you prefer before initiating the download process.
6. Start Downloading: Click the "Download Now" button.
Once downloaded, you can access these videos anytime without worrying about expiration dates or playback restrictions. You can not only download Disney Plus movies to SD card, but also transfer them to any device such as iPhone.
NOTE:
Content available on Disney+™ is protected by copyright. Unauthorized redistribution of this content may violate copyright laws in the United States and other countries.
KeepStreams is an independent company and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with Disney+™ or its parent company. The information on this page is provided for informational purposes only and does not imply any endorsement of KeepStreams products by any third party.
Editor's Takeaways
Downloading movies and shows from Disney Plus directly onto an SD card serves as a practical solution to deal with the problem of storage space. By changing the download location, users can easily store their favorite titles to a SD card without occupying their device's internal memory.
However, the feature of downloading videos from Disney Plus has limitations. This lead many users to find other feasible solutions. In this case, KeepStreams for Disney Plus stands out, since it removes the limitations imposed by the official app of Disney Plus and allows users to download videos to a SD card and keep them permanently.
Safety note: The tools recommended in this article have been personally tested and are safe during installation or use. Please download from the official websites to ensure the security of your device.
FAQs
Q1. Why can’t I change my Disney+ download location to SD card?
A1. This is almost always because you are in an Amazon Kid's Profile. You must go to the Adult profile, set its download location back to "Internal," and then you can select the SD card in the Kid's Profile. It can also be because your SD card is formatted as "Internal Storage" instead of "Portable".
Q2. Why did my Disney+ downloads on SD card disappear?
A2. Your downloads disappeared for one of three reasons: 1) You haven't connected to the internet in over 30 days, 2) It's been more than 48 hours since you started watching the title, or 3) You recently switched to a "With Ads" plan.
Q3. How long do Disney+ downloads last and when do they expire?
A3. They last 30 days if unwatched. You must connect to the internet once every 30 days to validate them. Once you press play on a title, a new 48-hour timer starts. You must finish watching it within 48 hours, or it will expire. You can keep these downloads forever with KeepStreams.
Q4. Can I transfer Disney+ downloads from one device/SD card to another?
A4. No. Official downloads are protected by DRM and are encrypted to the specific device and app that downloaded them. You cannot copy them. The only way to have transferable files is to use a third-party tool (KeepStreams) to save them as MP4s.
Q5. Is it legal to use a third-party Disney+ downloader like KeepStreams?
A5. U.S. Copyright Act (DMCA) § 1201 prohibits the circumvention of copyright protection measures. KeepStreams is meant to help you make a copy of material you have legally accessed, and the person who uses it is fully responsible for following all laws. Learn more by reading the KeepStreams Copyright Compliance.
Like this article
Explore more content