Trying to download Apple TV shows before a flight or a shaky connection? You can use the Apple TV app on supported phones and computers, while a desktop local-file workflow is the route when you need authorized MP4 or MKV files.
Apple TV+ is now called Apple TV. The subscription still lives inside the Apple TV app, and the offline-download rules below refer to the current Apple TV subscription as well as Apple TV channels where noted.
This guide explains how to download Apple TV Plus videos, where supported Apple TV offline downloads work, and when a local-file option may better fit your playback setup.
Quick Guide:
Method 1: Downloading Apple TV+ Videos on iPhone and iPad
For mobile users on iOS or iPadOS, the official Apple TV app is the direct way to download eligible Apple TV shows for offline viewing.
Apple TV Video Downloader: Official iOS Steps
These steps use the download feature built into Apple's official TV app; there is no separate iOS app called an Apple TV Video Downloader.
- Open the Apple TV app on your iPhone or iPad (ensure it's the latest version).
- Search for the movie or TV show episode you want to save.
- Tap the Download icon (a cloud with a downward arrow) next to the title.
- Once completed, navigate to the Library tab and select Downloaded to watch your content offline.
Apple TV+ Official Download Limits
Apple TV subscription and channel downloads are app-managed offline copies rather than portable MP4 or MKV files. The limits below apply to Apple TV subscription and channel downloads; purchased movies and TV shows follow separate purchase rules:
- Most Apple TV channel downloads remain available for up to 30 days.
- Some titles downloaded from an Apple TV subscription expire 48 hours after playback begins or 30 days after download, whichever comes first. Individual channels can set different limits.
- Not all titles can be downloaded. It depends on the license.
Purchased movies and TV shows are different from subscription downloads. Apple says purchased digital media can be downloaded to compatible iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows devices for long-term offline access, although rare rights changes can affect future re-download availability. Rentals follow their own rental window.
Check Apple's official support page for more information.
Method 2: Offline Viewing and Library Limitations on Mac
Mac users can use the Apple TV app to download eligible Apple TV subscription titles and purchases for offline viewing. These downloads remain managed by the Apple TV app rather than becoming ordinary portable video files.
⚠️ The official download limits also apply to the Mac app.
Step-by-Step Guide on Mac
- Launch the Apple TV app on your Mac.
- Find the Apple Original show or movie you wish to download.
- Click the 3-dot icon and choose Download.
- To view your saved files, click on Library in the sidebar and choose the Downloaded section.
Tip: On macOS, manage official downloads from the Apple TV app itself. They are app-managed downloads tied to your Apple Account, so deleting older items from Library > Downloaded is the practical way to free storage when space runs low.
Method 3: Downloading Apple TV+ Shows on Windows PC
Windows users can install the official Apple TV app from the Microsoft Store and download eligible titles for offline viewing. Apple notes that app availability and features can vary by country or region.
Step-by-Step Guide on Windows
- Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows device and install the Apple TV app.
- Sign in with your Apple Account.
- Search for your desired movie or series and click the Download button.
- Access your files under Library > Downloaded.
Tip: If the Windows app crashes or fails to download an eligible title, first update the app, check storage and title eligibility, and retry. If you specifically need an authorized local MP4/MKV workflow, see Section 5 for KeepStreams for Apple TV.
Method 4: Getting Apple TV+ Content on Android Devices
The Apple TV app supports downloading eligible movies and TV shows on Android phones and tablets for offline playback.
- Open the Apple TV app on your Android phone or tablet.
- Find an eligible movie or TV show.
- Tap Download.
- Open Library > Downloaded to watch it offline.
If you prefer a standard local file, you can optionally download the video using KeepStreams for Apple TV on a Windows PC or Mac, then transfer it to your Android device.
Once the video is saved locally, you can transfer the compatible MP4 or MKV file to your Android phone or tablet using a USB data cable or a cloud storage service. Playback depends on support for the file container, video codec, and audio format.
The Apple TV app includes subscription programming, separate channels, and store purchases or rentals. An Apple TV subscription does not include store purchases, rentals, or separate third-party channel subscriptions. The Apple TV app on smart TVs and streaming boxes, and tv.apple.com in a browser, do not support offline subscription downloads.
- Smart TVs and TV platforms: Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, Google TV/Android TV devices, and other supported living-room platforms.
- Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or the Apple TV 4K box
- PlayStation, Xbox, and tv.apple.com via web browsers.
Method 5: Download Apple TV Plus Shows as MP4/MKV with KeepStreams
The official Apple TV app now covers straightforward offline viewing on supported phones and computers, including Android. If you specifically need standard local files, KeepStreams for Apple TV provides a separate desktop workflow. Available for Windows and macOS.
KeepStreams primarily uses direct-download and remux workflows; the exact processing method depends on the platform, title, and current compatibility. For supported Apple TV titles, it can save MP4 or MKV files without relying on full-length real-time screen recording, while playback still depends on the receiving device and player.
Step-by-Step Guide on KeepStreams
- Download and install KeepStreams from the official site on your Windows PC or Mac computer.
- Select Apple TV from the VIP Services tab, then sign in to your account through the built-in browser.
- Play the video and wait for KeepStreams to analyze it. If analysis does not begin automatically, click the orange download button.
- In the settings window, choose MP4 or MKV, an offered resolution up to 4K, H.264 or H.265, available audio tracks and subtitles, the destination folder, and the episodes you want to add to the queue. Then click Download Now.
- Open Downloads to view progress, download speed, and completed files. Play one saved file to check the video, sound, and subtitles before transferring the rest to another device.
Note: Use KeepStreams only with authorized access and content you are permitted to save for personal offline viewing. Do not redistribute downloaded files, and follow the platform's terms, applicable copyright law, and the rules relevant to your specific use case.
Compare the differences between the official Apple TV app and KeepStreams:
| Item | Official Apple TV App | KeepStreams for Apple TV |
| Best fit | Simple offline watching | Authorized local-file viewing |
| Supported devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, Android mobile, Apple Vision Pro | Windows and macOS |
| Output | App downloads | MP4 or MKV files |
| Playback requirement | Apple TV app; applicable title limits | Compatible container, video codec, and audio |
| Download management | Manual downloads; automatic downloads are available on supported Apple devices and settings | Batch queue; subscribed-series updates |
Apple TV app details as of October 2026. Apple Support: Download and stream shows, movies, sports, and events; Apple TV App User Guide.
For routine offline watching on a supported device, the Apple TV app is the simplest route. KeepStreams for Apple TV is relevant when an authorized local-file workflow and episode management are required.
Fix Apple TV+ Download Problems
If an Apple TV download fails, check the app, title eligibility, storage, and network before changing your viewing method.
Where did the Download button go? Use the native Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, a supported Windows device, Android phones or tablets, or Apple Vision Pro. Browsers, smart-TV apps, and streaming boxes do not store offline subscription downloads. If the button is still missing, confirm that the title is eligible and your subscription is active. On Windows, open the sidebar’s Edit control and enable Downloaded if that section is hidden.
Downloads stuck on a loop? Reconnect to a stable Wi-Fi network, force-close and reopen the app, restart the device, and remove old downloads if storage is low. Before a flight or another offline stretch, open the completed download once and confirm that it plays correctly.
A title is already downloaded on another device? Delete that title from the other device and retry. Treat alerts involving rentals or store purchases separately from Apple TV subscription download limits.
When will a download expire? Most Apple TV channel downloads are available for up to 30 days. Some titles downloaded from an Apple TV subscription expire 48 hours after playback begins or 30 days after download, whichever comes first. Individual channels can have different expiration limits.
FAQs
Q1. Can I download Apple TV shows on Apple Vision Pro?
Yes. Open the Apple TV app, find an eligible title, tap Download, and open the completed download from Library > Downloaded. The applicable title and channel limits still apply.
Q2. Can I download Apple TV Plus videos directly to a smart TV?
No. Smart-TV apps and Apple TV streaming boxes do not support offline subscription downloads. You can use KeepStreams for Apple TV to create an authorized local file on a computer, but TV playback requires support for its container, video codec, and audio format.
Q3. Can I save Apple TV Plus videos as local files?
Official downloads remain inside the Apple TV app. For content you are authorized to access, KeepStreams for Apple TV supports MP4 and MKV output on Windows and macOS where permitted by platform terms and applicable law.
Q4. Can I put local video files on an external drive?
Yes. Local MP4 and MKV files can be stored on an external drive, but playback requires a compatible player. Moving an official Apple TV app download does not convert it into a portable MP4 or MKV file.
Q5. Why might KeepStreams show a resolution below 4K?
4K is the supported maximum, not a guarantee for every title. Select 1080p or 720p when those are the available options, and use the current official version to check the intended title and playback setup.
Final Words
Apple TV (formerly Apple TV+) supports offline downloads through its native app on several phones and computers. Use the official Apple TV app for straightforward offline watching before a commute, flight, or unreliable connection. If you are authorized to save the content and specifically need local MP4 or MKV files for personal use, KeepStreams for Apple TV offers that desktop workflow on Windows and macOS.
