Rakuten TV is a video-on-demand service available in Japan (tv.rakuten.co.jp) and some European countries (rakuten.tv). It offers attractive content for free with ads, and rent/purchase services. Unfortunately, the official offline viewing option is only available for purchased or rented titles.
No worries. In this updated 2026 guide, I'll guide you to download Rakuten TV videos, including the free VOD content and your rented/purchased titles, on phone, Windows PC, or Mac. If you're still stuck in the 48-hour or 30-day expiration limit imposed by Rakuten TV, this article can also help.
How to Download Rakuten TV Videos in Europe?
In Europe, Rakuten TV offers free, rental, and purchased videos, much like in Japan. With the official Rakuten TV app for iOS or Android mobile devices, or an extra Rakuten TV downloader, we can easily download our favorite titles for offline viewing.
Collins
If you're living in the UK, you can watch Rakuten TV content through Virgin TV.
Download Rakuten TV Videos on Mobile Devices
Since there is no subscription for the whole Rakuten TV service, the official rule only allows European users to download purchased or rented titles officially. To download, follow these steps:
- Grab the App: Download the latest Rakuten TV app on your Android or iOS mobile device
- Buy or Rent First: ⚠️ I recommend completing your purchase on the web browser first, which is easier to navigate.
- Find the Download icon: Tap it on the detail page.
- Check Downloads: All the downloaded videos will be displayed in the PROFILE > Downloads section.
- Refresh in Time: ⚠️ Videos downloaded in this way expire. Always check the status and refresh them when online.
Collins
The official app can't help us download free content. We need an extra tool to download free VOD content on Rakuten TV. Check the following part.
Download Rakuten TV Videos on Computers (No Limit)
Rakuten TV does not offer an official "Download" button for Windows or macOS. If you want to watch on a larger laptop screen during a commute, you'll need a bit of help.
KeepStreams for MPD is one reliable workaround. Unlike screen recorders that can be laggy, KeepStreams actually parses the video data to save it as a high-quality MP4 file. It supports up to 1080p with AAC 2.0 audio, which looks crisp even on a 15-inch laptop. With the batch download, subtitle extraction, and more functions, it can make our offline collection easier.
KeepStreams works perfectly with rakuten.tv. Because of the built-in browser, we can finish the download process in 4 steps:
- Download and install KeepStreams for MPD on your computer.
- Open KeepStreams and navigate to www.rakuten.tv.
- Play a video you want to download and wait for analysis. (If you need to download a purchased/rented video, log in to Rakuten TV is necessary)
- Click on the orange download button
- Set download options and click on "Download Now". (the max resolution depends on the original video)
- Check the download progress in the Downloads section.
You can download nearly all videos on Rakuten TV into MP4 files in this way.
How to Download Videos from Rakuten TV in Japan?
Rakuten TV provides a monthly and yearly subscription for Japanese users. It means they can download a title without renting or buying it. But still, the official download service is mobile-exclusive. Check the following content to see how to download from Rakuten TV in Japan.
Download from Rakuten TV on Mobile Devices
Similar to the European Rakuten TV service, you can easily download videos on Android or iOS devices using the official app. Here are the step-by-step instructions:
- Get the latest Rakuten TV app.
- Open the Rakuten TV app and sign in to your account.
- Search for the Rakuten TV video you wish to download.
- If the video is downloadable, a download button will appear below the title.
- Tap the download button to initiate the download process instantly.
Download from Rakuten TV on Computers
KeepStreams can also work on the Japanese version of Rakuten Viki, but with different module. Since rakuten.tv and tv.rakuten.co.jp use different encryption, we need to use KeepStreams for Rakuten TV to ensure the highest rate of successful download. Here's what you can get from KeepStreams:
Follow the step-by-step guide to download Rakuten TV videos on your computer using KeepStreams:
- Download and install KeepStreams for Rakuten TV.
- Launch KeepStreamsand navigate to VIP Services and find Rakuten TV.
- Log in to your Rakuten TV account to get access to the content you want to download.
- Play the video you want to download, and wait for the automatic analysis.
- Customize your download settings and click on "Download Now".
Now, you can download videos from Rakuten TV in Japan and save them into MP4 files for forever offline viewing. It works on VOD, purchases, and rented titles.
FAQs
Q1. Is it legal to download Rakuten TV videos using third-party tools?
A1. Rakuten's terms of service prefer you use their official app. However, downloading videos from Rakuten TV for for personal, offline viewing is generally acceptable in the US and many regions. It's similar to taditional DVR, as long as you don't share, sell, or upload the downloads.
Q2. Why can't I find the download button on some movies on Rakuten TV?
A2. This is usually due to licensing restrictions. Some studios don't allow their films to be downloaded offline (to prevent piracy). If you encounter this, a dedicated downloader like KeepStreams is often the only way to save that specific title.
Q3. Where are my Rakuten TV downloads stored on Android?
A3. By default, they are hidden in the app's encrypted data folder. You can't move these files to another app or watch them on players other than the Rakuten TV app. If you need a portable MP4 file, downloading via PC is necessary.
Conclusion
While the official Rakuten TV app is great for mobile, they leave PC and Smart TV users behind. What's more, for European users, it's unfair that the only way to download from Rakuten TV is to but or rent a video. However, by using the right strategy—and the right tools when necessary—you can take your library anywhere.
Hope the methods mentioned above can help you successfully download Rakuten TV video and build your own offline collection easily. I recommend giving the official app a try first, and if you hit a wall, KeepStreams is a solid backup to have in your digital toolkit.
Like this article
Explore more content