Channel 4 (formerly known as All 4) is a free streaming service in the UK. It offers over 2,000 programs across many categories, including comedy, documentaries, drama, and entertainment. While Channel 4 provides a download service, there are limits.
In this article, I will guide you on how to download Channel 4 videos on different devices, with the official app or an extra tool. Hope you can successfully "control" your downloaded Channel 4 programmes on any device you like.
3 Realities:
- Downloads are free with limits on mobile. ➡️ Check details in Section 1
- Enjoying Channel 4 videos offline on PC isn’t a thing. ➡️ Check workarounds and steps in Section 2
- By downloading Channel 4 content in MP4, you can watch it offline on TV. ➡️ Check steps in Section 3
[Bonus] Quick Troubleshooting of the Channel 4 not working problem in Section 4.
How to Download on Channel 4 App? For Mobile Only
The official app "Channel 4" can be easily found on Android or iOS mobile devices. Every registered user can download some of the titles from the library for free.
Channel 4 Download Limits
Before downloading on Channel 4 app, check the list to understand what we should notice:
- Device Limit: iOS or Android phone/tablet only. (You can use the app if it shows in your app store.)
- Title Limit: Only a part of the videos from Channel 4 can be downloaded, due to copyright.
- Ads: Without the Channel 4+ subscription, your free downloads will still contain ad breaks.
- Offline viewing window: Check the expiry badge next to each download. Normally, you only have about 30 days to start and 48 hours to finish after you hit Play.
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Channel 4 expiry varies, and thus, always check the app’s countdown for your title.
Steps to Download on Channel 4 App
If you're using a supported mobile device, you can easily download from Channel 4 via the app. Follow the simple steps:
- Install the latest version of the Channel 4 app.
- Open the app and sign in to your account.
- Browse for the video you want to download and go to the details page (like the following image shows).
- Tap the download button next to the episode, and wait for a few minutes.
- The downloaded titles can be quickly found in the "Downloads" section at the bottom.
Using the Channel 4 app might be the most convenient choice. However, you need to follow the download rules and can only watch the downloads in the app. Always use the Downloads tab for offline playback and expiry checks.
Note: Channel 4 provides a membership service. Users can subscribe to Channel 4+ for £3.99/mo. to enjoy ad-free viewing, early access, more content, multi-device sync, and more. But the download option is open for every user, including the free one.
New function for iOS device (updated in 2025): You can use 3G/4G connection to download videos if the Wi-Fi is unavailable.
How to Download Channel 4 Programmes to PC?
Since Channel 4 doesn't provide a desktop app or support download on the desktop web, we need an extra tool to download Channel 4 programmes to PC. A professional downloader, online video downloader, video recorder, or browser extension can help us to do it. But they have different pros and cons.
Workarounds Comparison
I used the mentioned 3 types of tools to download the E1-E3 of The Piano S3 from Channel 4 on my 2025 Macbook Air. The results are listed below:
| Result/Tool | Professional Downloader | Online Downloader | Recorder | Extension |
| Quality | 720p/1080p | 480p/720p | 720p | 720p/1080p |
| Speed | ~12 minutes | ~64 minutes | ~144 minutes | ~ 43 minutes |
| Safety | Medium | Low | High | Low |
| Output Format | MP4/MKV | MP4 | MP4 | MP4 |
| Ad-Removal | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Batch Download | Yes (Queues) | No | No | Yes (Manual) |
| Auto-Download | Yes | No | No | No |
| Expiration | No | No | No | No |
I recommend a professional downloader program if you want a better download experience and an offline viewing experience. But most of them are not free.
For free downloads of Channel 4 videos, consider using online downloaders or browser add-ons. Some of them can also help you with the download tasks, but they will take more time, and the video quality is not as good as 1080p.
BTW, I tried TubeNinja to download the 3 episodes and all of them failed. It seems to try to lead me to another paid program. Please be aware of this tool when picking an online video downloader.
I don't recommend downloading content by recording Channel 4 videos. It takes much more time compared with other methods.
Steps to Download Channel 4 Programmes on Laptop
To illustrate how I download Channel 4 programmes on laptop, I'll take KeepStreams for Channel 4, a professional video downloader, as an example to show the steps. It's compatible with both Windows and macOS systems, so I can use it without any trouble.
I download Channel 4 videos with KeepStreams in these steps:
Step1
Download and install KeepStreams for Channel 4 on my computer.
Step2
Launch KeepStreams and select Channel 4 from VIP Services.
Step3
Browse the Channel 4 library for the show you wish to download.
Step4
Play the video within the built-in browser, and it will automatically analyze the video URL.
Step5
After analysis, customize the output settings as I prefer.
Step6
Click the Download Now button to start downloading from Channel 4 immediately
I also tried the queue-up function by adding all three videos to the download list. The process is smooth and quick. After several minutes, I found the first episode was done and saved in MP4/MKV format on my Mac.
Channel 4's ToS explicitly forbids "copying, reproducing... or making available to the public" their content. Using a downloader is a form of copying. While you are unlikely to face legal action for saving an episode of Gogglebox to watch on a plane, it is technically a violation. So please make sure you only use the downloads for personal offline viewing, and never share or sell them.
How to Watch Channel 4 Programmes Offline on TV?
In late 2024, the official Channel 4 app arrived on most modern Android TV and Google TV devices. This is a step forward for big-screen viewing. However, it solves a different problem. This app is for streaming to television, not downloading. It does not provide an offline viewing feature.
If you want to watch Channel 4 programmes offline on TV or other devices, the easiest method is to download videos into MP4/MKV format in advance, and move them to the device you like via a USB drive.
[Bonus] Troubleshooting: Channel 4 Downloads Not Working
Quick Answer:
For the official app, it's usually licensing or your location.
For third-party tools, it's almost always a DRM update or a bad VPN connection.
If you can't download on Channel 4 via the official app, check:
- Content Not Available: Not all shows (especially movies) are licensed for download. Change to another title
- You're Outside the UK: The app is geo-restricted. Downloads won't initiate if you're not in the UK.
- Storage: Your device is full. Clear up for more space.
If the extra tool you're using suddenly fails to download Channel 4 videos, check:
- DRM Update: Channel 4 updated its protection, and the tool is now broken. You must wait for a software update. (And that's the reason why I recommend a professional tool, as they are always updated frequently)
- VPN Blocked: Your VPN's IP address has been identified and blocked by Channel 4. Try a different server.
- CDM Issues: The Content Decryption Module (a component used by your browser) may be outdated.
FAQs
Q1. Can I download Channel 4 programmes on my laptop?
A1. No, officially you cannot. The Channel 4 app only supports downloads on iOS and Android mobile devices. PC users must explore third-party alternatives like KeepStreams for Channel 4 or Android emulators.
Q2. How long do Channel 4 downloads last?
A2. Downloads typically last for 30 days. However, once you start watching a show, you have 48 hours to finish it before it expires. Always check the app for the exact expiry date.
Q3. Do Channel 4 downloads include ads?
A3. Yes, standard downloads include all ad breaks. To download and watch most content ad-free, you must subscribe to the Channel 4+ service or use KeepStreams for Channel 4 to download videos from the service without ads.
Q4. Does Channel 4 work on Android TV or Google TV now?
A4. Yes, the official Channel 4 app is available on most modern Android TV and Google TV devices. But this app is for streaming, not for downloading content. If you want to watch Channel 4 shows on TV offline, use an extra tool to download the videos into the MP4 video format before moving them to TVs.
Q5. Why can't I find the download button for a specific show on Channel 4?
A5. Not all content on Channel 4 is licensed for download. This is very common for movies or shows acquired from other networks. If there is no download icon, it cannot be downloaded officially.
But you can try to download it with a third-party tool. Normally, all playable videos can be downloaded. However, always remember never share the downloads or use them for purposes other than personal offline viewing.
Conclusion
This post solves more than the questions like "how to download on Channel 4 app" or "how to download Channel 4 programmes to PC". It also provides a possible way to watch Channel 4 content offline on TVs or other big screens.
The most convenient way of offline viewing must be using the download button in the Channel 4 app, and it's totally free, with no need for the Channel 4+ subscription. But the official download limits and endless ads might bother some audiences.
Using a reliable extra tool like KeepStreams for Channel 4 is the best way to improve your offline viewing experience. It can not only help you download all videos that can be played, but also remove all ads, even without the Plus subscription. All in all, the final decision depends on your demands.
This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Users should comply with Channel 4's Terms of Service and all applicable copyright laws in their region. Third-party tools mentioned are for reference and should only be used for personal, non-distributive purposes in accordance with fair use principles.
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